Background
The Federal Court has today sensibly ruled that security interests do not vest in the company grantor simply because the company had at some time previously been in liquidation, administration or subject to a deed of company arrangement (DOCA). This decision should come as a great relief to secured lenders and suppliers to companies that have successfully passed through a restructuring and have resumed "business as usual".
This week’s TGIF examines a recent Federal Court decision which considered an application to discharge summonses issued pursuant to sections 596A and 596B of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Key takeaways
When company directors breach the law they can be personally liable for the company’s debts and regulatory action can be taken against them.
In Australia, the agency responsible for enforcing such breaches is the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
ASIC outlines the key liabilities company directors need to be aware of when things go wrong.
Following Treasury’s announcement on 24 September 2020 that it will introduce a suite of reforms to Australia’s insolvency framework, the Corporations Amendment (Corporate Insolvency Reforms) Bill 2020 (Cth) (Draft Bill) was released for public consultation between 7 and 12 October 2020, providing much needed clarity as to the practical effect of the insolvency reforms, which are expected to commence on 1 January 2021.
Paul Apáthy and Angus Dick, Herbert Smith Freehills
This is an extract from the 2021 edition of GRR's the Asia-Pacific Restructuring Review. The whole publication is available here.
In summary
In the course of antecedent transaction proceedings, particularly for unfair preferences, arguably the most contentious and critical question to be determined is the date of insolvency. Although that question predominantly involves an accounting exercise, it also includes an assessment of the commercial, financial and trading realities of the relevant company and a consideration of legal principles.
This is a service specifically targeted at the needs of busy non-executive directors. We aim to give you a “heads up” on the things that matter for NEDs in the week ahead – all in two minutes or less.
There remain a number of issues in the proposed insolvency reforms that need careful deliberation, particularly where the Regulations have yet to be released for consideration.
This TGIF considers Tayeh v Commonwealth of Australia [2020] FCA 1323, where the Federal Court found that irregularities in the formation of a Committee of Inspection rendered invalid resolutions of the committee, including resolutions concerning liquidator remuneration.
Key takeaways