Overview

The following propositions for cross-border security and insolvency law in Scotland have recently been supported at first instance in the Court of Session:

1. a floating charge need not be valid and enforceable under the law governing foreign assets charged in order to be considered valid and enforceable over such assets for the purposes of appointing an administrator out of court under the Insolvency Act 1986 (the IA);

For lawyers dealing regularly with commercial secured lending, the requirement to register company fixed and floating charges has long been fraught with tension. It is a commercial necessity for charges over a company's assets to be registered in a publicly available register. Prospective creditors need to be able to establish how far the company's assets have been secured and are available to meet its commitments. Failure to register will result in the charge being invalid against any liquidator, administrator or creditor of the company if the company becomes insolvent.