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.

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

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

On 29 September 2020, the Federal Court of Australia published its much anticipated decision in Habrok (Dalgaranga) Pty Ltd v Gascoyne Resources Ltd [2020] FCA 1395, dismissing Habrok’s attempt to set aside a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA). The DOCA had been the culmination of a 15 month administration, and facilitated the recapitalisation, refinance, and relisting of the gold miner Gascoyne Resources Ltd (GCY) and its subsidiaries (together with GCY, the GCY Group).

Businesses experiencing financial distress as a result of COVID-19 will continue to receive financial relief until 31 December 2019.

What does this mean for businesses?

The extension predominantly impacts companies in relation to statutory demands and insolvent trading.

Statutory Demands

This week’s TGIF considers the case of Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Bettles [2020] FCA 1568, where the Federal Court of Australia confirmed the need for precision in making allegations of illegal phoenix activity.

Key takeaways

The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has become the first appellate court among ratifying countries to look directly at the meaning of “give possession” and “giving possession of the aircraft object to the creditor” under the Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (known as the Cape Town Convention) on matters specific to Aircraft Equipment (the Protocol) in the context of an insolvency (the Virgin Australia insolvency) in Wells Fargo Trust Company, National Association (trustee) v VB Leaseco Pty Ltd (admin

Australia has posted a record fall in its GDP in 2020. At the same time, following a series of temporary measures introduced due to COVID-19, Australian insolvency filings have hit record lows.

In brief

2020 has evolved in a way no-one could have predicted, and there is still much uncertainty as to what the future looks like (particularly as a result of Government stimulus payments and rent freezes varying or coming to an end, and newly announced insolvency law reforms that will affect businesses with liabilities of less than $1 million). While the outlook is not entirely pessimistic, suppliers should be preparing themselves for all scenarios.