First, the not-so-great news in figures:

The scope of the Bankruptcy Code's "safe harbor" shielding certain securities, commodity, or forward-contract payments from avoidance as fraudulent transfers has long been a magnet for controversy, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court suggested (but did not hold) in Merit Mgmt. Grp., LP v. FTI Consulting, Inc., 138 S. Ct.

In recent years, a consistent interplay has emerged between the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 ("IBC") and the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 ("Stamp Act"). This interaction has been further heightened due to the ongoing debate surrounding inadmissibility of documents not adequately stamped. The convergence of these statutes becomes particularly relevant when a document, serving as the foundation for determining a debt, is presented before the adjudicating authority.

Alice Belisle Eaton and Billy Clareman Discuss Latest Restructuring

Developments at PLI Event

Practising Law Institute’s “Recent Developments in Distressed Debt, Restructurings,

and Workouts 2024” featured restructuring partner Alice Belisle Eaton and

litigation partner Billy Clareman. Co-chair Alice delivered opening remarks and

spoke on “Market Update: Distressed Debt and Restructurings,” “Corporate

Governance, Officer and Director Risks and Claims in Distressed Situations” and

You can’t make this stuff up. The legal issues are pedestrian. But the facts behind those issues are incredible!

Litigation History

Here’s the boring stuff first.

On January 8, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court denies certiorari in Mann v. LSQ Funding Group, L.C. (Case No. 23-425). Here’s the procedural background:

Friday January 26, 2024

Financial Advisory Partner, Jim Davies, explores the recent developments in Restructuring Plans

Financial Advisory Partner, Jim Davies, led the relevant alternative valuation analysis for four Restructuring Plans that were sanctioned by the High Court in 2023. Here, he explores recent developments in light of the Adler Restructuring Plan being overturned.

The number of company insolvencies in 2023 increased by over a third compared to 2022. The hospitality sector was particularly badly affected, with 53% more insolvencies than in 2022.

It appears that 2024 will be similarly challenging for companies in the hospitality sector. The Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) has set out the main challenges faced by the industry, including increased energy and labour costs, and the VAT rate reverting to 13.5% after having been reduced to 9% during the covid-19 pandemic.

In the first Part 26A appeal decision since the inception of the restructuring plan in 2020, the Court of Appeal has set aside the restructuring plan sanction order that was granted to German real estate group, Adler.

North Brewing Company, a Leeds-based brewery and bar-owner, has secured a sale out of administration that will ensure their future trading, having become the latest to issue a notice of intention to appoint administrators earlier this month.

What Happened