As we pointed out in our Legal Update of 30 January 2014 ("New Companies Ordinance – Old Winding Up and Insolvency Regime"), the new Companies Ordinance for Hong Kong (Chapter 622) is scheduled to take effect from 3 March 2014 but it will not cover the winding-up and insolvency regime.

The Fund provides monetary relief to employees when their employers become insolvent. Currently, employees of insolvent employers may apply to the Fund for ex-gratia payment of sums owed to them by their employers under the heads of wages, wages in lieu of notice and severance payment.

Experienced insolvency practitioners in Hong Kong are all familiar with Hong Kong Court of Appeal's decision of 1 March 2006 in the liquidation of Legend International Resorts Limited1.

Did you know that in the recent matter of Chan Kam Cheung v. Sun Light Elastic Ltd & Another¹ the petitioner's alternative remedy for winding-up was struck out by the court?

The insolvency proceedings of the Lehman Brothers' group of companies worldwide ("Group") are among the most complicated ones we have seen. A significant factor contributing to the complexity is that many Group entities hold segregated assets (principally securities and funds) for their clients, which may be individuals or entities within or outside the Group.

The Honourable Mr Justice Harris, the incumbent Companies Judge, has continued the recent development of cross-border assistance in insolvency matters. An example is his Lordship's decision in Re Centaur Litigation SPC (In Liquidation)(HCMP 3389/2015, 10 March 2016), which relates to an application by the liquidators of three companies incorporated and being wound up in the Cayman Islands.

The existing provisions on the winding up of  companies in Hong Kong will continue to operate  after the new Companies Ordinance comes into  effect, which is expected to be on 3 March 2014.

The new Companies Ordinance is an overhaul  covering many aspects of the existing Companies  Ordinance, including the following:

The number of international arbitrations involving the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre doubled between 2004 and 2008. The number of winding up petitions is also currently on the rise because of the poor global economic environment. This article discusses conflicts that may arise between the statutory insolvency regime and the contractual rights of parties to arbitrate their disputes in Hong Kong.

Can Arbitration Be Used To Circumvent Statutory Insolvency Regimes?

Recent developments

The Hong Kong Government has released its major proposals for introducing a new statutory corporate rescue procedure. At the same time, it has published the consultation conclusions for improving the corporate insolvency and winding up provisions in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions Ordinance) (Chapter 32) (“C(WUMP)O”). The Government plans to introduce an amendment bill into the Legislative Council in 2015.

Implications for companies

The Protection of Wages on Insolvency (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 (the “Ordinance”) was passed by the Legislative Council on 18 April 2012 and came into force on 29 June 2012.

Under the Ordinance, the scope of the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund will be expanded to cover: