In the latest High Court decision relating to Company Voluntary Arrangements in the UK, the judge held that the Regis hairdressing group CVA should be revoked on the basis that it favoured shareholders at the expense of landlord creditors
General Scheme Published.
The General Scheme of the Companies (Small Company Administrative Rescue Process and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 was published this month. When enacted, this Bill will provide the legislative basis for a new corporate restructuring process that will be available to small companies: it is the Small Company Administrative Process (SCARP).
A General Scheme sets out the proposals for the text of a forthcoming Bill and the Government has granted approval for the priority drafting of this legislation (as discussed here).
Nordic Aviation DAC [2020] IEHC 445
In late 2020 the Commercial Division of the High Court approved a Scheme of Arrangement (Scheme) in respect an Irish-based aircraft leasing business Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC). The approved Scheme is of particular interest as it was recognised in the EU, UK and USA. NAC had secured and unsecured creditors in those jurisdictions on foot of loan or debenture instruments which were subject to New York, UK or German law.
On 12 May 2021, Mr Justice Snowden sanctioned Virgin Active’s three inter-conditional restructuring plans under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006. The case has been followed with significant interest in the restructuring community because the restructuring plans included the most extensive cross-class cram down proposal since the introduction of the restructuring plan process last year (DeepOcean and Smile Telecoms are the only other restructuring plans to utilise the cram-down mechanism).
The government has introduced the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space), which came into effect on 4 May 2021, which allows individuals who are struggling with debt to apply for a “breathing space” in which to sort out their finances. This scheme, which was introduced in response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, includes residential tenants who are in arrears of rent.
What is a breathing space?
There are two types of breathing space:-
Hong Kong and the Mainland have agreed a new co-operation mechanism for cross-border insolvency. Under the agreement, liquidators from Hong Kong may apply to Mainland courts for recognition of insolvency proceedings in Hong Kong, whilst bankruptcy administrators from the Mainland can apply to the Hong Kong High Court for recognition of bankruptcy proceedings in the Mainland.
Hong Kong and the Mainland have agreed a new co-operation mechanism for cross-border insolvency.
The Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy TD, announced earlier this week the priority drafting of new legislation to introduce a new restructuring process. The Companies (Small Company Administrative Rescue Process and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 will provide the statutory footing for what is now proposed to be termed the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (“SCARP”).
There are plans to establish a new corporate rescue procedure for small companies. Currently termed the Summary Rescue Procedure, it was initially proposed by the Company Law Review Group in October 2020.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Department) is now seeking submissions from stakeholders to inform the development of this new restructuring procedure.
Why the need for a new corporate rescue procedure?
Rettung durch Restrukturierung im Planverfahren (Restrukturierungsplan & Insolvenzplan)
Apperley Investments Limited & Others v Monsoon Accessorize Limited [2020] IEHC 523
The Commercial Court has refused to apply the provisions of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (“CVA”), negotiated pursuant to the Insolvency Act 1986 in the UK, to Irish landlords as it would be “manifestly contrary to the public policy of the State”.
These proceedings were taken by Irish landlords over properties in Dublin and Cork leased to the fashion retailer Monsoon.