This article first appeared in Volume 22, Issue 6 of International Corporate Rescue.
Synopsis
In Nordic Power Partners P/S & Ors v Rio Alto Energia, Empreendimentos E Participacoes LTDA & Ors [2025] EWHC 2875 (Comm), the Commercial Court reconfirmed its willingness to grant interim relief to an energy investor in the context of international projects (here related to Brazil). Specifically, this decision provides an interesting insight into steps that can be taken to prevent funds being received by a party that may soon become insolvent (which risks creditors being left without a satisfactory remedy once a dispute is resolved).
The collapse of The Lion Electric Company and its affiliates (Lion Electric) has attracted considerable attention as a sign of potential trouble in Québec’s manufacturing and electric vehicle sectors1.
In brief
In Re Petrofac Ltd [2025] EWHC 2887 (Ch), the English High Court made an administration order in relation to a Jersey-incorporated company even though its registered office was not in England which is the starting point for determining COMI and therefore the Court’s jurisdiction to make such an order.
Background
This past year has featured a diverse range of consequential, precedent-setting insolvency disputes across various industries, reflecting both the breadth of challenges facing Canadian businesses and the adaptability of Canada’s insolvency framework in resolving these issues. The most consequential decisions in which we have been involved are described below, alongside key takeaways for stakeholders participating in insolvency proceedings in 2026 and beyond.
In a recent case, the High Court has provided important clarification on the treatment of retention monies, reinforcing the statutory trust obligations under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 (CCA).
This is the latest in our series of discussions about how clients have used HSF Kramer's Decision Analysis models as part of their strategy for disputes management.
This week, financial disputes specialist Donny Surtani describes its use in a sell-or-hold decision relating to a distressed debt holding: