Included in this update: Government extends temporary COVID-19 measures in CIGA 2020 and more...
COVID-19
CIGA 2020 extensions in force
Our regular round-up of recent developments and topics for your radar, news on training and networking events for in-house counsel, and an update on our legal tech initiatives.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Australian government has taken swift action to enact new legislation that significantly changes the insolvency laws relevant to all business as a result of the ongoing developments related to COVID-19
On 24 September 2020 the Federal Government announced, as part of its JobMaker plan, a package of reforms directed at streamlining insolvency processes for small businesses.
The reforms draw on key features of the US Chapter 11 bankruptcy process and include:
No one expected these immortal words by Split Enz to be so relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that is exactly how some directors may be left feeling regarding the requirements to qualify for protection from trading while insolvent under the COVID-19 Safe Harbour provisions.
NAVIGATING COVID-19
When COVID-19 hit Australia, it created a crisis requiring urgent and extraordinary action by Federal and State Governments to protect the health of the Australian people and economy.
What have we been up to?
The days and nights may well be getting noticeably cooler, but as a team we remain very much at simmer point in terms of the demands of newlyacquired business support and insolvency work and staying on top of recent legislative changes.
Amongst this month's work highlights have been:
A short week this week due to the public holiday in Western Australia.
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.
The Supreme Court has recently released a decision on directors' duties, which should serve as a timely reminder to all directors of their duties under the Companies Act in circumstances of insolvency. Continuing to trade while insolvent will be a breach of your duties, even if you believe that overall creditors may be better off or the extent of losses will be reduced. It is however welcome confirmation for liquidators that the Courts will enforce the provisions of the Companies Act based on the clear wording of these sections.
The UK Government has issued secondary legislation extending the period of applicability of certain temporary provisions of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (“CIGA”).
The Supreme Court last Thursday released its long awaited decision on directors duties engaged on a company’s insolvency – Debut Homes Limited (in liquidation) v Cooper [2020] NZSC 100. The decision has profound implications for directors confronted with a business experiencing material financial distress and more broadly, for creditors, lenders and the insolvency profession.