The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has amended the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Fast Track Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2017 with effect from February 7, 2018, and has brought into force the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Fast Track Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2018[1]. The salient features of the new regulations have been discussed hereunder.

Appointment of registered valuers

Enforced with the objective of time-bound insolvency resolution and maximization of assets, the Insolvency Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as “IBC”), in order to facilitate the process of insolvency resolution, has provision for appointment of an insolvency resolution professional (hereinafter referred to as “IRP”).

It is known that I & B Code came into effect from 01.12.2016.  Subsequently, it perspired during various proceedings in NCLT that it has no specific provision for limitation period and/or categorical applicability of Limitation Act on initiation of insolvency process under the Act.

However, the limitation period is prescribed under the Limitation Act for every suit instituted, appeal preferred, and application made under the law.

As per Section 5(14) of the IB Code "Insolvency Resolution Process Period" is 180 days.

“Period of one hundred and eighty days beginning from the insolvency commencement date and ending on one hundred and eightieth day;”

COMPLETION OF INSOLVENCY RESOLUTION PROCESS - It must be noted that Section 12 of the IB Code prescribes the time limit for completion of Insolvency Resolution process.

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has held that ‘Moratorium’ under Section 14 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code will not only be applicable to the property of the ‘Corporate Debtor’ but also on its ‘Personal Guarantor’.

Brief Facts:

Background:

The Hon’ble Calcutta High Court on February 2, 2018, upheld the validity of Section 7, 8 and 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (hereinafter referred as ‘IBC 2016’ or ‘the Code’) in the case of Akshay Jhunjhunwala & anr. v. Union of India[1].

Introduction

A bench of Supreme Court comprising of Justice R.F. Nariman and Justice Sanjay Kishen Kaul in the case of M.D. Frozen Foods Exports Pvt. Ltd. And Ors. Vs Hero Fincorp Ltd., in Civil Appeal No. 15147 of 2017 dealt with the issue that whether an NBFC is entitled to initiate proceedings under SARFAESI Act and arbitration proceedings, simultaneously, with respect to a loan account.

Background

The Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (the “Code”) consolidated the archaic insolvency laws, provided a consolidated legislation and revolutionised the insolvency regime in India. Undoubtedly, the Code has had a significant impact on the way corporate India functions. It has been almost two years since the Code came into effect and in the year 2017 some significant amendments have been made to the Code based on inputs received from various market participants.

Introduction

In proceedings with regards to the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as ‘IBC’) the Bombay High Court has passed a landmark judgement ruling that an application under IBC may be made even in cases where a Winding-Up petition has been admitted by a Company Court. Such an Application under the IBC, would not be permitted, only in such a scenario where final order of Winding-Up has been passed under Section 481 of the Companies Act, 1956.

Brief Facts of the Case