With the mass of reports, reviews and consultations that have already occurred, there is no lack of critiques, complaints and proposed solutions. The risk is that these will (once again) be cherrypicked for fixes, rather than form the basis for a comprehensive review.
It has been 33 years since the "recession we had to have" in 1991. Fears that Australia would enter a technical recession during 2023 didn’t eventuate.
In the recent decision of Re PBS Building (Qld) Pty Ltd [2024] QSC 108, the Supreme Court of Queensland considered for the first time the operation of the State’s new project and retention trust account regime in the context of an insolvency. The decision provides useful guidance to insolvency practitioners and subcontractors as to their rights in relation to trust accounts established by an insolvent head contractor.
On June 19, 2024, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) released a discussion paper proposing to bring in significant amendments to the IBBI (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Process) Regulations, 2016 (CIRP Regulations), aiming to streamline the process, enhance its effectiveness and reduce delays.[1] It complements the plan, unveiled earlier this month, to reduce the compliance burden on insolvency professionals.
Federal Law Decree No 51 of 2023 concerning Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy (the New Bankruptcy Law) came into effect in the UAE on 1 May 2024 and repealed the previous bankrupcty law, Federal Decree Law No 9 of 2016 (the Old Bankruptcy Law). All regulations issued under the Old Bankruptcy Law remain in force until new regulations are published, which will further clarify a number of points.
Deal structure matters, particularly in bankruptcy. The Third Circuit recently ruled that a creditor’s right to future royalty payments in a non-executory contract could be discharged in the counterparty-debtor’s bankruptcy. The decision highlights the importance of properly structuring M&A, earn-out, and royalty-based transactions to ensure creditors receive the benefit of their bargain — even (or especially) if their counterparty later encounters financial distress.
Background
Contractor insolvencies are continuing in the construction industry in 2024. This follows recent challenges relating to supply chain issues, labour shortages, and increased material costs. Such challenges are part of the broader macroeconomic climate of high inflation and interest rates.
We outline below steps that a Principal can take at different stages of a project to mitigate the impact of Contractor insolvency on its project, and to protect its interests.
Key takeaways
Die maßgeschneiderte Sanierungslösung für den Fußballverein in der Krise ist elementar für den zukünftigen Erfolg.
The Alita matter serves as a good illustration that if you intend to seek leave under section 444GA(1)(b) you should act swiftly and with regard to the potential regulatory risk.
The BRG Corporate Finance Key Economic Data Report reviews GDP and consumer confidence; inflation and real earnings; employment; housing; auto sales and production; retail sales; interest rates; high-yield index; bankruptcies; defaults; and commodity prices.
Read the reports from 2024:
The intention of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as ‘IBC’) is to rehabilitate the companies and individuals by way of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (hereinafter referred to as ‘CIRP’).