The Bankruptcy Protector
Germany is experiencing a severe energy crisis due to the Ukraine conflict and its effect on the supply of natural gas. Energy intensive companies have seen a dramatic increase in energy costs, irrecoverable from consumers, causing grave financial distress in various German industries. As a result, the German government plans to modify the German Insolvency Code (InsO) on a temporary basis.
Background
Summary
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit entered its (second) opinion in the case of In re Ultra Petroleum Corporation, Case No. 21-20008, on October 14, 2022, potentially widening a circuit split on the issue of “make-whole” payments. With the circuit split potentially growing, this issue could be ripe for a grant of certiorari.
Since 2021, soaring wholesale energy costs have caused concern for businesses already battling a difficult economic climate with wider inflationary pressures, such as higher interest rates.
The government's mini-budget on 23 September 2022 cancelled the planned increase in the corporate tax rate (the proposed increase from 19% to 25%). This will assist those companies which are profit-making, but without support to reduce the cost base, this provides limited relief to others.
The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed the appeal of the decision in BTI –v- Sequana.
At a time when many companies are facing financial difficulties and directors are considering their legal duties, this long-awaited judgment has confirmed that directors have a 'creditor interest duty' when a company is insolvent or bordering on insolvency or an insolvent liquidation or administration is probable.
Background
The High Court has recently held that the appointment of administrators by a sole director of a company with unamended Model Articles was valid.
Background
The document allegedly appointing the administrators of the company was a standard set of board minutes, reportedly chaired by a man and recording that a quorum was present. In fact, there was no meeting, and the decision was taken alone by the sole female director.
The recent High Court decision in Re Nostrum Oil & Gas plc [2022] EWHC 2249 (Ch) considers a scheme of arrangement where creditors are the target of Russian sanctions.
Background
The Bankruptcy Protector
To the long list of things people love about lawyers we can add last week’s holding by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals that “Blvd.” is utterly unrecognizable as “Boulevard” – at least by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in Florida.