In its decision in In re Brandt, the court seems to draw a clear line: No post-petition add-ons for attorneys’ fees and costs when a secured claim arises from a judgment lien.
As 2025 draws to a close, this newsletter reviews key developments that have shaped the commercial disputes landscape over the past year and offers our views on significant English court decisions. We then look ahead to the trends likely to define 2026. We also reflect on another productive and successful year for Hausfeld’s Commercial Disputes team.
HOW DID 2025 CHANGE THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE?
Financial services
This article examines the recent decision in Maher & Anor v Investalet Ltd & Anor.
Section 234 Insolvency Act 1986 provides:
“(2) Where any person has in his possession or control any property, books, papers or records to which the company appears to be entitled, the court may require that person forthwith (or within such period as the court may direct) to pay, deliver, convey, surrender or transfer the property, books, papers or records to the office-holder.”
Assignments for benefit of creditors (“ABCs”) and receiverships have been utilized effectively for centuries under the common law, side-by-side as separate and distinct and complementary remedies for liquidating assets.
Differences
Differences between the two are that:
When state legislatures consider a legislative bill, it’s important that they hear from stakeholders who would be affected by that bill.
Important ABC Stakeholders
When faced with a legislative bill on assignment for benefit of creditors (“ABC”), its important that legislatures hear from a variety of stakeholders, including this important group:
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in two cases involving bankruptcy questions:
Under the Act to amend theMining Act and other provisions1 (the “Act”), assented to on November 29, 2024, certain amendments were made to the Mining Act.2
In this bulletin, we will focus on the rules that have been in effect as of the Act’s date of assent concerning the assignment of a mining lease or a mining concession, and those that have been in effect since November 29, 2025, concerning the transfer of an exclusive exploration right (“EER”), formerly known as a claim.
Here’s a curious thing:
- an advisory opinion from a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on an issue for which there is no controversy and that is mostly academic.
That’s exactly what we have in In re Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Inc., Case Nos. 24-2210 & 24-2211 (3rd Cir., decided September 10, 2025)(see first concurring opinion).##
No Controversy