On 21 October 2019, the Code on Bankruptcy Procedures adopted by Ukraine’s parliament on 18 October 2018 (“the Code”) came into effect. The Code replaces the Act of Ukraine on Renewal of Debtor’s Solvency or Declaring It Bankrupt dated 14 May 1992 that applied previously. The Code has sparked controversy in Ukraine and until the last moment there were discussions whether its entering into effect should be postponed until a later date.
Launch of insolvency proceedings
Draft Law No. 3555 “On Financial Restructuring” (the “Restructuring Law”) aimed at creating effective mechanisms for voluntary financial restructuring of Ukrainian companies’ debts (the “Voluntary Restructuring”). The Restructuring Law is adopted as a temporary measure and will be in effect for three years. The Government expects that the Restructuring Law will result in reducing the amount of bad loans and restoring bank lending.
The main novelties of the Restructuring Law are as follows:
On 14 June 2016 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law “On Financial Restructuring” (the Law), which aims to solve many conflicts and assist in debt restructurings in Ukraine.
The Law provides a new procedure for restructuring financial debt of Ukrainian corporate debtors (the Restructuring).
Special features of new Restructuring procedure include:
On 29 December 2012, pursuant to the order of the Commercial Court of the Kyiv Region, the bankruptcy proceedings in respect of Aerosvit were initiated based on the application of the debtor. Pursuant to the said order the court introduced the procedure of administration of debtor's assets, appointed the administrator of assets and imposed moratorium on satisfaction of creditors' claims.
On 19 January 2013, a new edition of the Law of Ukraine "On rehabilitation of debtor or its bankruptcy" (the “Bankruptcy Law”) came into force. The Bankruptcy Law provides for the possibility of a pre-bankruptcy rehabilitation of a debtor which may be introduced by the court on the debtor’s or the creditor’s request. During the pre-bankruptcy rehabilitation of the debtor bankruptcy proceedings cannot be commenced in court, and the court may establish a moratorium on the satisfaction of the creditors’ claims.
On 18 January 2013 the Law of Ukraine on Introducing Changes to the Law on Restoring Debtor Solvency or Declaring Bankruptcy (the “New Bankruptcy Law”) became effective. The new Bankruptcy Law introduces a number of important changes to the bankruptcy procedure in Ukraine.
Insolvency and Restructuring International Vol 10 No 1 March 2016 23 Karyn Heavenrich Alexander is an associate in King & Spalding’s financial restructuring practice. Karyn’s practice focuses on the areas of bankruptcy law and corporate restructuring matters, with a particular focus on international insolvency proceedings. individuals, non-individuals and foreign proceedings. The new bankruptcy petition incorporates many of the ancillary filings into the petition itself.
Insolvency Law No. 9 of 2019 enters into force from January 2020, which is the year of economic and social betting on development and aspiration for a happier and more stable country.
What is the role of the insolvency law in this context?
The new Bankruptcy Law (Federal Law Number 9 of 2016) is seen as a strategically improved law in comparison with previous insolvency laws. Having said that the Bankruptcy Law so far covers the following:
i. Permits organizations in money related issues and provides the chance to rearrange their issues so as to stay suitable;
ii. Companies failing to stay financially viable, offers them a chance to seek liquidation;