In brief
HM Treasury has provided the Public Bill Committee with a draft copy of The Insolvency Act 1986 (HMRC Debts: Priority on Insolvency) Regulations 2020, to be made pursuant to the current clause 96 of the Finance Bill 2020. The draft regulations have not yet been formally laid before Parliament but are d
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reshaped the global business landscape. Some companies that only months ago seemed unstoppably profitable have been brought to an existential brink by extended lockdowns, supply chain failures, and other obstacles caused by the pandemic. Other companies who have experienced less disruption (or in some cases windfalls) stand at the threshold of opportunity even as they prepare themselves for the challenges of the 'new normal'.
The government has introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in Parliament, which will put in place a series of measures. This includes temporarily removing the threat of personal The liability for wrongful trading from directors trying to keep their companies afloat through the emergency.
In May, we reported (please refer to our previous alert available here) that the UK Government's much anticipated reforms to UK insolvency law were introduced in Parliament when the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill 2020 (the "Bill") started its passage in the House of Commons on 20 May 2020.
In brief
The following measures introduced as a COVID-19 response are now to be extended:
Even with the fiscal stimulus and other measures taken by the Federal and State governments in Australia, corporate insolvencies are likely to increase in coming months.
Under Australia’s insolvency regimes, a distressed company may be subject to voluntary administration, creditor’s voluntary winding up or court ordered winding up (collectively, an external administration). Each of these processes raises different issues for the commencement and continuation of court and arbitration proceedings.
Distressed M&A
Any downturn tends to produce a surge of distressed m&A opportunities, and the current crisis will be no different. Investments in distressed companies follow a different set of rules to "normal" m&A transactions, bringing additional complexity in terms of the stakeholders involved and deal structuring, as well as particular set of challenges for due diligence and buyer protections.
In brief
Can you take security over all types of assets, including working capital? Generally yes, before filing for the reorganization or the ruling setting forth the start of the liquidation bankruptcy. After the beginning of the reorganization proceedings, no further security interests can be granted over the assets of the debtor for credits due before the beginning of the reorganization proceedings. The debtor can grant security interests for new creditors after the start of the reorganization proceedings.