In another groundbreaking decision, the Hong Kong court in Re Ando Credit Ltd [2020] HKCFI 2775, has appointed provisional liquidators over a Hong Kong-incorporated investment manager for the express purpose of allowing the liquidators to seek recognition in the Mainland. The judgment is the latest in a series of judgments facilitating cross-border recognition and enforcement of assets and takes the degree of potential cooperation envisaged to a new level.
Application unopposed
On 26 November 2020, the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Suspension of Liability for Wrongful Trading and Extension of the Relevant Period) Regulations 2020 (the “Regulations”) came into force. As well as extending to 31 March 2021 the “relevant period” for certain temporary modifications to the holding of company meetings, the Regulations reintroduce the suspension of the liability for wrongful trading.
Recent missed payments by companies including by one of China's largest coal companies, Yongcheng Coal and Electricity Holding Group, based in Henan, have shaken investors' faith that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) enjoy implicit backing from the authorities, irrespective of their underlying performance. As corporates issue new bonds to pay off old debts as they fall due, thereby 'kicking the can down the road' it is feared that more defaults could follow. Yields on some bonds are reported to have risen to 34 percent, an indicator of the perceived increased risk.
In brief
The Federal Court has ordered that an insolvency professional be appointed to act as a referee and to decide questions of insolvency in relation to a series of alleged unfair preferences, rather than have the judge undertake that task.
Contents
In brief
The Federal Court has ordered that an insolvency professional be appointed to act as a referee and to decide questions of insolvency in relation to a series of alleged unfair preferences, rather than have the judge undertake that task.
Key takeaways
Nach einer umwandlungsrechtlichen Spaltung haften die übertragende Gesellschaft und die übernehmende Gesellschaft gegenüber den Versorgungsberechtigten zehn Jahre lang als Gesamtschuldner für die Pensionsverpflichtungen. Wird eine der beteiligten Gesellschaften insolvent, hat der Pensions-Sicherungs-Verein (PSV) einen Anspruch gegen die andere beteiligte Gesellschaft, denn der Anspruch der Versorgungsberechtigten gegen die andere Gesellschaft aufgrund der Gesamtschuld geht auf ihn über.
In brief
As of 19 October 2020, the changes to the Bankruptcy Code of Ukraine became effective.
What’s new
From 17 October 2020, and for the quarantine period, the following changes are introduced in the bankruptcy procedure:
The recent English case Arlington Infrastructure Ltd (in administration) and another v Woolrych and others demonstrates the importance of a secured creditor obtaining any consent necessary under the terms of intercreditor arrangements before taking enforcement action.
The facts of the case
The Hong Kong government is proposing much-anticipated legislation for the introduction of a corporate rescue procedure and insolvent trading regime. Hong Kong has, for years, struggled to introduce a statutory corporate rescue procedure (CRP), having previously made unsuccessful attempts in 2000-2001, 2008-2009, and 2014. Now – with COVID-19 severely impacting the economy – the government has finally tabled the Companies (Corporate Rescue) Bill.
In brief
Simplified Insolvency Programme (“SIP”)