Degene die als bestuurder namens de vennootschap heeft gehandeld dan wel heeft bewerkstelligd of toegelaten dat de vennootschap haar wettelijke of contractuele verplichtingen niet nakomt, is in bepaalde gevallen persoonlijk aansprakelijk jegens de benadeelde schuldeiser.
Met de inwerkingtreding van de Wet Claw back op 1 januari 2014 eindigde een periode waarin diverse ondernemingsrechtelijke wetten in werking traden, waaronder de Wet bestuur en toezicht en de Flex-BV wetgeving. Op dit moment bereidt de wetgever enkele nieuwe wetsontwerpen voor. In de meeste gevallen staat daarin de rol van bestuurders en toezichthouders centraal. Zo ook in het voorontwerp Wet bestuur en toezicht rechtspersonen en binnen het Wetgevingsprogramma Herijking Faillissementsrecht.
Recently the Minister of Justice issued a draft bill which, if enacted, will introduce a directorship disqualification order under civil law. The bill is open for consultation until 31 May 2013.
Recent developments
International structures as used by multinational companies typically could include limited partnerships or general partnerships. If the Netherlands is involved in these international structures, these partnerships may be set up in such a way that they qualify as transparent for Dutch tax purposes. Further, partnerships could be used to manage the recognition of taxable income (for example, the so called CV‐BV structures). ThisGT Alert may be helpful in further managing and controlling the tax risks within such structures.
In the corporate inquiry (enquête) procedure of Inter Access the Supreme Court recently confirmed a decision by the Enterprise Chamber where immediate measures were ordered which led to the dilution of a majority shareholder's stake. The managing board of the company was allowed to issue shares without a resolution of the AGM.
On Friday afternoon the government announced temporary changes it intends to make to the Companies Act 1993 (the Act) to assist companies facing financial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary of proposals
The proposed changes include:
As mentioned in Hesketh Henry’s article “COVID-19: Insolvency law changes” (https://www.heskethhenry.co.nz/insights-opinion/covid-19-insolvency-law-changes/), Grant Robertson has announced that the Government will soon be introducing legislation to make temporary changes to the Companies Act 1993 (“Act”) to help companies facing insolvency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The High Court in Henderson v Walker [2019] NZHC 2184 found a liquidator, Mr Walker, liable for breach of confidence in relation to the distribution of part of Mr Henderson's private information, awarding $5,000 in damages. The liquidator was also found liable for invasion of privacy in relation to distributions made to the Official Assignee, although no separate damages were awarded.
We have prepared the following tips for businesses to guide them through the current circumstances. Urgent advice should be sought where cash flow problems are arising, or where contractual obligations may not be able to be met. The best protection is preparation.
Talk to the people you deal with
Check in with the people you do business with regularly. This will include: