The High Court (Court) had to determine whether proceeds from two investments in the estate in the bankruptcy of Bernard McNamara (McNamara) were payable to NALM under its security package, or whether they should be retained in the estate in the bankruptcy of McNamara for the benefit of creditors generally (substantive question).
COMPETITION LAW
European leveraged finance transactions (i.e., acquisition financing by fund sponsors of European targets) are often structured through Luxembourg or the Netherlands because those are creditor-friendly jurisdictions for the creation, perfection and enforcement of (certain) security interests. Structuring through Luxembourg or the Netherlands provides a high degree of transaction flexibility compared to other jurisdictions.
Background
Several recent insolvencies of popular crypto fin-techs have shaken the crypto markets, eroding investors’ trust in digital assets in general and their future reliability.
The European Union's (EU) response is to implement new and clarify existing safeguards for investors to protect their property in the event of an insolvency. In this context, the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) is to be implemented throughout the EU.
Legislative changes
Talking about liability management exercises in Europe is interesting stuff for advisers, but we’ve not seen them occur with the frequency that many people thought a few months ago. Why is that?
German real estate group restructuring plan sanctioned in London
Having failed to get its restructuring solution through in its home jurisdiction, beleaguered German real estate group, Adler, turned to London. After substituting a UK plc as issuer of six series of notes in order to propose an English restructuring plan, and in the face of fierce opposition from an ad hoc committee of 2029 noteholders (AHG), the group successfully forced the plan through just in time.
De rechtbank Noord-Holland heeft recent beslist dat een moeder en zoon aansprakelijk zijn voor het boedeltekort van een failliet beleggingsfonds omdat zij hun taak als (defacto) bestuur onbehoorlijk hebben vervuld (Rechtbank Noord-Holland 8 februari 2023, ECLI:NL:RBNHO:2023:1723).
IAIS launches climate risk training materials for insurance supervisors
According to a press release published on April 5th, 2023, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and the Financial Stability Institute jointly launched new online training materials on climate risk for insurance supervisors.
On 27 March 2023, the European Commission concluded that an Italian loan of EUR 400 million granted in 2019 in favour of Alitalia constituted illegal and incompatible aid that has to be reimbursed.
Alitalia has benefitted from numerous public support measures over the years. The airline found itself in a financial pickle and was declared bankrupt in May 2017. To ensure the continuity of its operations, the Italian State provided the airline with two loans, one of EUR 900 million granted in 2017 and the second of EUR 400 million in 2019.
The European Union (Preventative Restructuring) Regulations 2022 (the “Restructuring Regulations”) were introduced on 27 July 2022 with immediate effect.
You can read our overview of the regulations, specifically the changes they impose on the examinership process and a short overview of the changes imposed on the Companies Act 2014, here.