With the UK Government protections to prevent a flood of corporate insolvencies all now tailing off, will 2022 see the much talked about "tsunami" of insolvencies? Market views on that are mixed but it does seem certain that there will be at least a significant upturn in insolvencies compared to 2020 and 2021. With that in mind, it's worth considering the major differences between Scotland and England when it comes to corporate insolvencies.
1. There is no Official Receiver in Scotland
On February 3, 2022, as part of a series of recent decisions addressing third-party releases, Bankruptcy Judge John T.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion that potentially broadens the proximate cause element of claims brought under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). RICO’s proximate cause element requires a plaintiff to allege facts plausibly establishing that there is a “direct relationship” between the claimed injury and the defendant’s conduct in violation of RICO.
The initial consultation — January 2021
In January 2021, the Australian government undertook a public consultation process on possible reforms to the bankruptcy system. The purpose of this consultation was to ensure that Australia’s bankruptcy system was responding to, and addressing, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The changes to the director disqualification regime brought by the Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Act 2021 (the "Act") come into effect on 15 February 2022. We discuss the extension of disqualification proceedings and the impact on directors here.
The Changes
The Economic Survey prepared by the Economic Division, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India is an annual performance report of the Country’s economy which focuses on the economic developments in the country of each and every sector and helps in better utilization of resources and their allocation in the Union Budget. The Economic Survey is presented before the Budget and the theme of Economic Survey 2021-22, relates to the art and science of policymaking under conditions of extreme uncertainty.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code) was enacted to revamp the insolvency and bankruptcy laws and resolve problems being faced by creditors due to non-repayment of outstanding dues by corporate borrowers. Since our 2020 snapshot on 15 key developments in insolvency law, the Code has been further refined and amended in line with the object of the Code and taking into account the COVID 19 pandemic. The insolvency courts have also played their part in the development of the Code considering the business realities and practical considerations.
Company directors who act in breach of their statutory and fiduciary duties can face disqualification for up to 15 years pursuant to the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (CDDA). Prior to 15 February 2022, civil disqualification proceedings on the grounds of unfitness could only be brought in relation to directors of 'live' companies under s.8 CDDA (where the court retains a discretion whether or not to disqualify) or those subject to insolvency proceedings under s.6 CDDA (where the court is obliged to exercise its power to disqualify).
The proper tax treatment of real property disposals is a common area of dispute between taxpayers and the Inland Revenue Board (Revenue). Taxpayers who have disposed of investment properties expect to be taxed under the Real Property Gains Tax Act 1976 (RPGTA). The Revenue, on its part, may disagree, taking the view that the taxpayer had been trading and ought to be taxed (at the higher rate) under the Income Tax Act 1967 (ITA).
Introduction
The legislature has time and again introduced various income-tax benefits and incentives to encourage fresh investments and stimulate the economic growth. These incentives are generally given to new businesses in form of tax holidays, concessional tax rates or additional deductions.