On 31 December 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (the "Federal Court of Appeals") ruled that the uptiering transaction conducted by Serta Simmons Bedding LLC ("Serta") did not constitute an "open market purchase", reversing the 2023 summary judgment of the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the "Texas Bankruptcy Court") that rejected the excluded lenders' claims for breach of the credit agreement. The Federal Court of Appeals also reversed the approval of certain plan provisions relating to an indemnity for the uptiering transaction.

On July 31, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada provided clarity regarding the treatment of administrative monetary penalties and disgorgement orders resulting from securities violations in Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission).

As we enter 2025, we look back on five important decisions that made the news in 2024. Here is the the first case.

The perspective of a landlord

In brief

A tenant's insolvency hits landlords particularly hard. Existing rental securities (e.g., rent deposit, landlord's lien) cannot always cushion the loss of rent and operating costs. Especially in times of the current energy crisis and rising costs, this issue is becoming increasingly explosive. This is demonstrated by the numerous insolvencies in the fashion retail sector, such as Galeria, Peek & Cloppenburg, KaDeWe and Esprit. High rents are often of the main reasons for insolvency.

The general rule in bankruptcy is that a debtor receives a “fresh start” and is discharged from prior debts, but this is subject to certain exceptions. Subsection 178(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) sets out eight classes of debts that are not released by an order of discharge including an exception for debts that arise out of fraud. In Poonian v.

The draft Banking Business (Amendment No. 8) (Jersey) Law 201- has been adopted by the States of Jersey and is awaiting the approval of the Privy Council. The draft Law will amend the Banking Business (Jersey) Law 1991 to provide for offences and impose duties under the Depositors Compensation Scheme.

Introduction

In finance transactions, security over Guernsey situs assets is usually taken by way of security agreement under the Security Interests (Guernsey) Law, 1993, as amended (the "Law").

The States of Guernsey has announced the recommendations from the consultation carried out on proposed changes to the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008. This coincides with a judgment from the Royal Court highlighting the timely nature of proposed changes.

The 2008 Law was the result of a wholesale revision and consolidation of the corporate legal framework. Whilst its focus was on corporate law it also encompassed the insolvency regime in Guernsey. The consultation exercise was to determine what, if any, changes may be required now that the 2008 Law had been in place for some time.

This Briefing addresses the usual manner in which solvent voluntary liquidations proceed. The discussion is subject to the particular provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of any company seeking a voluntary liquidation.

Where a company is not a regulated entity, has no liabilities and is able to pay its debts as they come due, a voluntary winding up and dissolution may be commenced by a resolution of directors.

Where it is proposed to appoint a voluntary liquidator, the directors of the company shall:

Introduction

With the continuing development of sophisticated cross-border financial transactions, certain contractual practices have evolved and, with the passage of time, become recognised as standard in the relevant marketplace. Financial centres such as Jersey monitor such developments with a view to implementing policy and/or legislation as may be required or desirable to maintain and enhance the reputation of Jersey as a jurisdiction of choice for such cross-border transactions.