The lack of harmonised insolvency laws has long been regarded as one of the greatest obstacles to the free movement of capital in the EU in general and to cross-border investments, insolvency proceedings and restructuring in particular.

As foreshadowed in his decision last month (Nuoxi Capital Ltd & ors v Peking University Founder Group Company Limited[2023] HKCFI 1350 (the “PUFG Case”)), on 15 June 2023, Harris J handed down a second decision on keepwell deeds, this time in relation to US$450,000,000 bonds issued by Tsinghua Unigroup Co., Ltd (“Tsinghua”)’s indirect subsidiary: s

Introduction and background 

Introduction

On May 30, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a bankruptcy court’s confirmation of a chapter 11 reorganization plan containing nonconsensual releases of direct claims against third-party non-debtors, including the debtor’s controlling owners, the Sacklers.

On 30 May 2023, Mac-Interiors Limited (the “Company”), a private limited company incorporated and registered in Northern Ireland, but with its COMI in Ireland, presented a petition seeking the appointment of an examiner. On the same day, orders were made, amongst other things, appointing Kieran Wallace of Interpath Advisory as examiner on an interim basis pending the hearing of the Petition.

In the recent case of Genisys Integrated Engineers Pte Ltd v UEM Genisys Sdn Bhd & Ors [2023] 3 MLJ 627, the Federal Court had the occasion to consider whether the Limitation Act 1953 applies to a proof of debt. The Federal Court held that the Limitation Act 1953 does not apply to a proof of debt which is accepted and not formally rejected by a liquidator.

Background Facts

Jedem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne oder in jedem Ende liegt der Charme des Neuanfangs (sehr frei nach Hermann Hesse).

Entsprechend dem Grundgedanken in Hermann Hesses Ausspruch bedeuten die zahlreichen, durch die COVID-19-Pandemie verursachten Unternehmenskrisen nicht nur ein Ende, sondern bieten auch Chancen.

Background

In a highly anticipated decision issued on May 30, 2023, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals rendered its opinion in Purdue Pharma LP v. City of Grand Prairie (In re Purdue Pharma LP)¹ approving a Chapter 11 plan’s inclusion of a nonconsensual release of creditors’ direct claims against non-debtor third parties.

This client alert describes the history of the case, identifies some of the key takeaways from the decision and outlines where other jurisdictions in the country stand on nonconsensual third-party releases.