Executive summary

On a UK company’s insolvency, the UK tax authority (HMRC) will become a preferential creditor in respect of certain unpaid taxes (Crown Preference) with effect from 1 December 2020. Despite lobbying against the move (including in light of the COVID-19 pandemic), the UK government has persisted with the change, perhaps in an attempt to shore up its tax take.

The reform in context

What is the Cape Town Convention?

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In Cant v Mad Brothers Earthmoving [2020] VSCA 198, the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria has clarified the application of the unfair preference regime in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to payments made by third parties at the direction of a debtor to its creditors. In short, a payment to a creditor by a third party at the direction of the debtor will not be ‘from’ the debtor unless the payment diminishes the assets available to the debtor’s other creditors.

Background

Executive Summary

The United Kingdom Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has announced that certain temporary measures put in place under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA), which became law on 26 June 2020, will be extended.

Statutory Demands and Winding-Up Petitions

Re Redstar Transport Pty Ltd (in liq) [2020] VSC 547

The joy of a summertime splash in the pool seems like a distant memory, at least for those of us in lockdown here in Melbourne.

Similarly elusive can be the granting of a pooling order under section 579E of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for a corporate group in liquidation.

Everlyte Ltd and Registrar of Personal Property Securities [2020] AATA 2584 (30 July 2020) K Parker, Member

PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITIES REGISTER (PPSR) – Applicant registered security interest in collateral (helicopter) – helicopter stolen and sold to other party – other party on-sold helicopter to third party and applied to register financing change statement to end applicant’s interest – meaning of “security interest” – decision affirmed

Ford (Administrator), in the matter of The PAS Group Ltd (Administrators Appointed) v Scentre Management Ltd [2020] FCA 1023

Factual background

Caron and Seidlitz v Jahani and McInerney in their capacity as liquidators of Courtenay House Pty Ltd (in liq) and Courtenay House Capital Trading Group Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2) [2020] NSWCA 117