Background

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is responsible for paying compensation to members of defined benefit occupational pension schemes where the scheme is in deficit on a PPF funding basis and the employer becomes insolvent. One of the criteria that must be satisfied by a scheme to enter the PPF is that the participating employer(s) suffer a "qualifying insolvency event" (QIE).

1. POLICY UPDATE

1.1 Access to ARF option for holders of Buy-Out Bonds originating in DB Schemes

A change to the Revenue Commissioner's administrative procedures, effective from 22 June 2016, means that former defined benefit scheme members whose benefits were transferred to a buy-out bond may now access an Approved Retirement Fund ("ARF") rather than being restricted to the purchase of an annuity.

Az Európai Unió Bírósága közzétett végzésében megerősítette a korábbi gyakorlatát a székhelyét más államba áthelyező társaság fizetésképtelensége esetén irányadó joghatósági szabályokkal kapcsolatban. Bejegyzésünkben röviden áttekintjük az irányadó esetjogot, és azt, hogy ebben milyen változást fog hozni a 2017-től alkalmazandó új uniós jogszabály.

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Inhalt

I. Brexit what does it involve and when could it happen?............................................................ 3

II. Legal areas affected................................................................................................................... 5

1. Choice of law clauses in existing legal relationships and the law applicable to non-contractual

obligations........................................................................................................................... 5

At first glance, it seems that cross-border insolvencies between the UK and EU are likely to become more time-consuming, complex and expensive post-Brexit. However, the situation may not be as dire as it first appears due to the existence of alternative legislation and the exemptions to the EU legislation. As with other areas of law, when it comes to insolvencies much will depend on what steps are taken to maintain the current arrangements with the EU or whether they fall away altogether.

As the dust begins to settle after the EU referendum and the potential ramifications of Brexit continue to be digested, we examine the potential impact of Brexit on the UK cross-border restructuring and insolvency regime and its consequences for the UK’s reputation as a leading creditor-friendly restructuring jurisdiction.

Recovery and resolution scenarios are still of importance for European institutions. Banks perform functions which are critical for economic activity to take place. They collect funds (deposits and other forms of debt) from private persons and businesses, provide loans for households and businesses, allow savings to be allocated for investment and manage payment systems that are crucial for various sectors of the economy and society as a whole.

The Court of Appeal has ordered a reference to the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) in Grenville Holden Hampshire v the Board of the Pension Protection Fund which involves a pension scheme member, whose early retirement pension was reduced by two-thirds on the scheme's entry to the PPF, arguing that the statutory cap on compensation payable by the PPF does not give full effect to Article 8 of the EU Insolvency Directive.

The process of Brexit will take years, and the implications for our clients' businesses will unfold over time. Our MoFo Brexit Task Force is coordinating Brexit-related legal analysis across all of our offices, and working with clients on key concerns and issues, now and in the coming weeks and months. We will also continue to provide MoFo Brexit Briefings on a range of key issues. We are here to support you in any and every way that we can.

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