Volatile commodity prices in 2020 led to the bankruptcy of many oil and gas producers. While some analysts expect oil and gas prices to rise during 2021, the US Energy Information Administration’s 2021 annual outlook advises that a return to 2019 levels of US energy consumption will take years.[2]

The new Part 26A Companies Act Restructuring Plan procedure, dubbed the “Super Scheme”, (summarised here) was gathering pace in the English courts since its introduction in June last year. Last week’s judgment in gategroup presents a potential speed bump in terms of its implementation as the restructuring tool of choice in European cross-border restructurings.

By judgment of 26 January 2021 (docket number: 3 AZR 878/16, 3 AZR 878/17) the Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht – BAG) has ruled that the acquirer of an insolvent company is only liable for vested entitlements and claims to occupational pension that had been earned after the opening of insolvency proceedings. He is not liable for the pension based on periods before, even if the German Insolvency Protection Fund (PSV) does not fully cover this part of the pension.

Facts / Background:

 Corporate Insolvency Cases 1. Winding up Listcos in Hong Kong - recent decision illustrates the difficulties creditors may face Re China Huiyuan Group Ltd [2020] HKCFI 2940 2. Hong Kong Court’s approach to validation application for MPF contributions made after the commencement of winding up Re Hsin Chong Construction Co Ltd [2020] HKCFI 3160 3. One petition against one debtor at one time Re China Greenfresh Group Co Ltd [2021] HKCFI 36 4. Failure to plead the basis of a petition clearly may render the petition defective Pointer & Dent Co Ltd [2020] HKCFI 2823 5.

Definition of production unit (UPA in its Spanish acronym)

UPA means a "set of organised means necessary for the exercise of an essential or ancillary business activity" (sec. 200.2 TR LC). If there is one or more UPAs of goods or services within the bankruptcy assets, these shall be detailed in an annex to the inventory, with a reference to the goods and services of the bankruptcy assets comprised thereunder (sec. 200.1 TR LC).

引言\

香港法例第 485 章《強制性公積金計劃條例》規定，僱員及僱主均須在強制性公積金計劃 （「強積金」）作出強制性供款，違例的僱主即屬犯罪，而強制性公積金計劃管理局（「積金 局」）可提出法律程序追討強制性供款。最近在 Re Hsin Chong Construction Co Ltd [2020] HKCFI 3160 一案中，法院探討了公司在清盤開始後支付的尚欠強制性強積金供款，是否可獲 法院認可。 

背景

經營建築服務的新昌營造廠有限公司（「該公司」）正在進行清盤。2018 年 2 月起，該公司 偶然未能為其僱員作出強制性強積金供款。積金局對該公司提出民事訴訟，並在該公司沒有抗 辯下就四項申索取得勝訴，可討回 2018 年 3 至 9 月的未付強積金供款合共港幣 958 萬元。

引言

香港法例第 485 章《强制性公积金计划条例》规定，雇员及雇主均须在强制性公积金计划 （「强积金」）作出强制性供款，违例的雇主即属犯罪，而强制性公积金计划管理局（「积金 局」）可提出法律程序追讨强制性供款。最近在 Re Hsin Chong Construction Co Ltd [2020] HKCFI 3160 一案中，法院探讨了公司在清盘开始后支付的尚欠强制性强积金供款，是否可获 法院认可。 

背景

经营建筑服务的新昌营造厂有限公司（「该公司」）正在进行清盘。2018 年 2 月起，该公司 偶然未能为其雇员作出强制性强积金供款。积金局对该公司提出民事诉讼，并在该公司没有抗 辩下就四项申索取得胜诉，可讨回 2018 年 3 至 9 月的未付强积金供款合共港币 958 万元。

Introduction

On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), the omnibus funding bill that makes consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. The CAA also provides various forms of economic relief to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of its coronavirus response, the CAA includes a number of amendments to the Bankruptcy Code. The key amendments are addressed below.

Temporary statutory protection of certain arrearage repayments under forbearance arrangements

Introduction

In the recent case of Re FDG Electric Vehicles Limited [2020] HKCFI 2931, the Court held that when the Hong Kong court recognises offshore provisional liquidation, there would not be an automatic stay of proceedings in Hong Kong.