The recent decision from the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta (the “Court”) in Qualex-Landmark Towers Inc v 12-1- Capital Corp, 2023 ABKB 109 (“Qualex”) greatly extended the protective umbrella for costs associated with environmental reclamation obligations.

Liquidators accepting a new appointment will have to think carefully if there's a possibility of disclaiming onerous property as part of that appointment.

This week's issue has a strong ESG focus. We cover the Senate Committee's report into the government's Bill to overhaul the existing 'safeguard' mechanism, the outcomes of the ACCC's greenwashing sweep and the ACCC's enforcement priorities for 2023/24. On the financial services front we provide an update on the status of the proposed FAR (which would expand on and replace the existing BEAR). We also provide an update on the progress of measures to further 'modernise' Corporations Act requirements and more…

Creditor duty

In BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana SA the Supreme Court considered the issue of the so-called ‘creditor duty’.

February, 2023

A BRIEFING ON LEGAL MATTERS OF CURRENT INTEREST

KEY HIGHLIGHTS Allahabad High Court: No ipso facto absolvement of guarantor's liability upon approval of resolution plan. NCLAT: The obligation of the adjudicating authority to direct for liquidation shall rise only when decision of the Committee of Creditors is in accordance with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The Rise of ESG Investing in India: What it Means for Corporations.

For Private Circulation - Educational & Informational Purpose Only

February, 2023

In In re LTL Management, LLC, No. 22-2003 (Jan. 30, 2023), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit had occasion to consider whether an entity that was created solely to house liabilities and file for bankruptcy could, in fact, file for bankruptcy where another entity was contractually obligated to pay those liabilities. The Court dismissed the bankruptcy petition, reasoning that this contractual obligation meant the former entity was not in financial distress and thus could not avail itself of the bankruptcy process.

In times of economic uncertainty, fraud typically increases. And these are certainly economically uncertain times. Fraud has been on the rise over recent years and that trend is set to continue. The motivation and opportunity to commit fraud increases as financial pressures loom over individuals and businesses. We are also set to see a continued increase in insolvencies as the impact of the pandemic and other global events set in. The appointment of insolvency practitioners means frauds which might have otherwise continued or remained concealed are more likely to be uncovered.

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) and the Outlook in India  

The amendments follow the recent high profile decision in The Australian Sawmilling Company Pty Ltd (in liq) & Ors v EPA & Anor [2021] VSCA 294 (TASCO Judgment). Insolvency practitioners should be aware that the amendments are aimed at preventing liquidators from disclaiming liability for environmental clean-up costs.

TASCO Judgment

Welcome to the eighth edition of our quarterly disputes newsletter, which covers key developments in the dispute resolution world over the last three months or so.