In Autumn 2018 the States of Guernsey proposed changes to Guernsey’s corporate insolvency regime to come into effect in 2019. On 15 January 2020 the States of Guernsey enacted these changes with the passing of the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 (Insolvency) (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (the Ordinance).
The Ordinance brings into effect the proposed changes to create a structured, flexible and transparent regime for company insolvency procedures in Guernsey, as is required in a modern jurisdiction. A summary of the main changes is set out below.
Administration
Alex Horsbrugh-Porter is Counsel in Ogier's dispute resolution group in Guernsey, specialising in insolvency. Alex is qualified in England and Wales, Cayman and Guernsey, and has experience of working in a corporate insolvency firm and taking appointments as a liquidator. In this piece, Alex runs through a checklist of ten things for directors to consider when insolvency looms…
The recognition of the powers of an English trustee in bankruptcy in Guernsey is generally pursued either by way of a letter of request issued by the foreign court pursuant to section 426 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (Insolvency Act) or by way of an application via the common or customary law.
Stuart Gardner, a Director at EY in Transaction Advisory Services, and David Jones, Counsel at Carey Olsen, writing on behalf of the Guernsey Investment Fund Association, look at Guernsey’s role as a centre for restructuring and insolvency.[I]
Importance of a robust insolvency regime
Ogier's team continues to be at the forefront of Restructuring and Insolvency law, acting in two matters that have broken new ground in Guernsey recently.
Partner Mathew Newman appeared before the Guernsey Royal Court for the applicants in two matters which raised several legal issues, some of which have not been addressed previously by the court.
Advocates Mathew Newman and Sam Dingle acted for the Joint Administrators of a Guernsey company (Company), which was a party to ongoing court proceedings in England.
The Joint Administrators applied to the Royal Court of Guernsey seeking an order that it issue a Letter of Request to the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, requesting the High Court to act in aid of and auxiliary to the Royal Court pursuant to section 426 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (1986 Act) in recognising the appointment of the Joint Administrators as administrators of the Company.
The memorandum has been prepared on the basis of the law and practice in Guernsey as at 1 April 2010.
Introduction
Zone of insolvency - directors in the firing line
Happy New Year?
2018 saw a number of high profile insolvencies around the world, including in Guernsey. The climate for many sectors remains extremely challenging with the UK further hindered by continuing uncertainty around Brexit. EY's Profit Warning Stress Index hit its joint highest level for two years in the third quarter of 2018 with 68 UK quoted companies issuing profit warnings.