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Can we learn sufficient lessons from Carillion to avoid construction related insolvency closer to home?

1. PUTTING INSOLVENCY ON THE AGENDA

Following a High Court decision of 1 November 2017 , it seems that the High Court will assess an objection by a secured creditor to a personal insolvency arrangement (PIA) differently depending on whether the creditor is a bank (or other originating lender) or a loan purchaser that is not a bank.

CHANGES TO THE INSOLVENCY AND RESTRUCTURING COMPANIES CODE

The changes to the Insolvency and Restructuring Companies Code, as established in Decree-Law No. 79/2017 of June 30, entered into force on July 1 2017.

Noteworthy changes

A. Special revitalization proceeding (Processo Especial de Revitalizao "PER")

1. This proceeding is now only available to companies.

2. Requirements for this proceeding were revised.

a. For every company:

Financing and Restructuring July 2017 Cases and transactions Dual financing to build waste management center FLUIDRA: Issuance of promissory notes on MARF Agile process to sell production unit in insolvency proceedings Legislation New rules on prospectuses Regulation coming into force on insolvency proceedings and forms Case law Indirect shareholding and subordination of credit Pledging of VAT credits resistant to insolvency proceedings Concept of group in insolvency proceedings Individual legal standing in syndicated loans Insolvency categorization of loans secured with pledge of credit ri

In this regular briefing, we summarise recent cases, developments and trends relevant to the ongoing efforts to resolve the mortgage arrears crisis.

CASELAW

Personal Insolvency

A series of recent cases have shed further light on factors that a Court will take into account when hearing a debtor’s appeal of a secured creditor’s decision to reject a proposed Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 (the 2012 Act).

On 22 May 2017, the High Court delivered judgment in favour of two homeowners, Paula and Colm Callaghan, allowing a significant write-down of their mortgage debt and rejecting a proposal by their lender, KBC, that the debt should instead be deferred or ‘warehoused’ for future enforcement.

BACKGROUND

The Callaghans had a mortgage with KBC for over €285,000 for their family home which was valued at just €105,000. The mortgage fell into arrears and the Callaghans sought to enter into a personal insolvency arrangement (PIA).

The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission has announced the appointment of independent inspectors to investigate the insolvency of Enterprise Insurance Company plc and the conduct of its directors and auditors. The company had a large exposure in Ireland having sold motor insurance to Irish consumers.

The Central Bank's update is available here.

 CONTENTS CORPORATE LAW NEWSLETTER I MARCH, 2017 I CAPITALIZAR PROGRAMME – PRESS RELEASE FROM THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF 16 MARCH 2017 2 II NATIONAL LEGISLATION 5 III NATIONAL CASE LAW 6 NEWSLETTER I CORPORATE WWW.CUATRECASAS.COM NEWSLETTER I CORPORATE 2/7 NEWSLETTER CORPORATE LAW I CAPITALIZAR PROGRAMME – PRESS RELEASE FROM THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF 16 MARCH 2017 One of the priorities of the programme of the 21st Constitutional Government is to reduce the high level of corporate borrowing and to improve conditions for investment, which is why the capitalisation of companies is one

Comsa: debt restructuring PSA Financial Services Spain: establishing an asset-backed securities fund Emesa: subscribing a collar equity swap Proposal for an EU Directive on restructuring and second chance Exit right due to no dividend distribution: end of the suspension of art.

I CORPORATE FINANCE, COVENANTS AND CREDITOR’S LIABILITY 2 II NATIONAL LEGISLATION 4 III EUROPEAN LEGISLATION 5 IV NATIONAL CASE LAW 5 NEWSLETTER I CORPORATE LAW WWW.CUATRECASAS.COM NEWSLETTER I CORPORATE LAW 2/6 CORPORATE LAW NEWSLETTER I CORPORATE FINANCE, COVENANTS AND CREDITOR’S LIABILITY Introduction In the field of corporate finance the liability of creditors that negotiate covenants with companies is an issue that currently generates great concern.