Australia's energy and utilities sector faces unprecedented challenges as the industry undergoes a fundamental transformation. The transition to renewable energy, regulatory pressures, aging infrastructure, and volatile commodity prices have created a complex web of operating and financial pressures which often require sophisticated restructuring strategies, including potentially via external administrations.
This week’s TGIF considers the recent Supreme Court decision of Re ML & NB Pty Ltd [2025] VSC 444. It concerns the extent to which a plaintiff can rely on a statutory demand issued by a supporting creditor to satisfy the presumption of insolvency.
Key takeaways
A recent Federal Court decision has provided some useful insights on how related party loans will be considered in an insolvency context, particularly in relation to unreasonable director-related claims against directors and their relatives. For insolvency practitioners it also provides insight into how the assignment of claims might effectively be used to mitigate litigation risks.
Introduction
For corporate groups considering an internal reorganisation, a restructure effected via section 413 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) under a scheme of arrangement (Corporate Restructure Scheme) provides a flexible alternative to more orthodox approaches commonly adopted. As is well known, the Corporations Act enables a corporation to enter into a scheme of arrangement with its creditors or members (or any class of them). Schemes of arrangement are commonly used to implement agreed mergers, as an alternative to the comparatively rigid mechanism of a takeover bid.
The retail and hospitality sector in Australia remains relatively steady in terms of financial performance. However, retailers, including those in hospitality, continue to be faced with some persistent headwinds and difficult trading conditions. In our three (3) part series, we cover some of the challenges facing Australian businesses in the sector, including those exposed to external administrations, the strategies that are working via administration, and how early intervention and turnaround strategies can help preserve long term enterprise value for stakeholders.
Introduction
Introduction
In this first instalment of our insights series on construction insolvency, Ironbridge Legal outlines key red flags to look for and practical steps to manage counterparty risk.
An Industry at Risk - With Contagion Potential
Introduction
In December 2024, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) released an updated version of Regulatory Guide RG 217. The guidance is designed to assist directors in complying with their duty to prevent insolvent trading. It sets out four key principles for directors to avoid insolvent trading, explains the safe harbour defence (which offers protection from personal liability), and clarifies ASIC’s approach to assessing breaches of duty and the application of the safe harbour defence.
This week’s TGIF considers a recent decision of the High Court of Australia, in which a 4:3 majority held that a former trustee is not owed any fiduciary obligation by a successor trustee.
Key takeaways