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In a recent judgment, which provides useful clarification to liquidators of companies, the High Court has held that section 631 of the Companies Act 2014 (the “Act”) does not confer a free-standing jurisdiction to order disclosure of information or documentation. Furthermore, the Court held that the inspection right conferred by section 684 of the Act cannot be used as a vehicle for carrying out a “fishing expedition” of a wide range of documents.

Background

On August 17, 2021, Basic Energy Services, L.P., along with several affiliates that provide operational support for oil and gas wells located in several US states, filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Case No. 21-90001). The company reports $100 to 500 million in assets and $500 million to $1 billion in liabilities.

On August 15, 2021, Aluminum Shapes LLC, a Delair, New Jersey-based aluminum fabricator and processing company, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (Case No. 21-16520). The company estimates $10 to $50 million in assets and liabilities.

On August 12, 2021, nursery and landscaping company Moon Group of Chesapeake City, MD filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-11140). According to the petition, several affiliates are also expected to file. The company reports up to $50,000 in assets and $10 million to $50 million in liabilities.

On August 1, 2021, Alpha Latam Management, LLC, a Miami-based financial services company that historically provides consumer loans in Latin America, along with certain affiliates, filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case 21-11109).  The company reports $100 million to $500 million in estimated assets and $500 million to $1 billion in estimated liabilities.  As described further in the 

On July 29, 2021, GBG USA, Inc., along with several affiliates, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Lead Case No. 21-11369). The ultimate parent company of GBG USA, Inc.

This briefing was originally published on 27 July 2021 following the enactment of the Companies (Rescue Process for Small and Micro Companies) Act 2021. The Act was commenced on 8 December 2021.

Introduction

On July 8, 2021, Pipeline Foods, LLC, along with several affiliates, which operate a Minnesota-based organic food supply chain company, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-11002). The company estimates $100 to $500 million in assets and liabilities.

Late on July 6, 2021, MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners II L.P., along with several affiliates, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Lead Case No. 21-11255).

On July 2, 2021, Something Sweet, Inc., a New Haven, Connecticut-based bakery that “provides high quality pies and cakes to the largest retailers in the country,” filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-10993). The company estimates $10 to $50 million in assets and liabilities.