WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN A MINUTE OR LESS

Companies should anticipate the possibility that they will find themselves in a situation where a vendor, customer, or other contract counterparty commences a bankruptcy case pursuant to Title 11 of the U.S. Code (the Bankruptcy Code). The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic stress to a wide variety of business sectors, and it has underscored the risk that a contract counterparty may file for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy effect on vendor and supply contracts

COVID-19 continues to cause issues throughout the world and as you know, local authorities continue to face challenges. When the Corporate Governance and Insolvency Bill was introduced in 2020, it was hoped that the COVID-19 specific measures would only be needed for a short period. A year down the line and the restrictions on winding up proceedings are still in place.

Saisie (meaning "to seize") is a court driven, Guernsey customary law process, governed by the Saisie Procedure (Simplification) (Bailiwick) Order, 1952. It is a three stage post judgment process which enables a creditor to enforce their rights against the debtor's realty in Guernsey.

Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd and others (Respondents) v Rossendale Borough Council and another (Appellants)

The Supreme Court has delivered its keenly anticipated judgment in a case concerning the validity of two business rates mitigation schemes. The schemes under scrutiny involved property owners letting unoccupied properties to special purpose vehicles (“SPVs”) which benefitted from a business rates exemption and therefore allowed both the property owners and the SPVs to avoid liability for business rates.

While examinership is a successful and internationally recognised rescue process for Irish companies, there has been a concern for some time that is out of reach of smaller businesses due to the associated costs. As part of the government’s response to the economic challenges of the pandemic, the Department of Enterprise has published a rescue process for small and micro businesses.

Foreign judgments may be utilized in Mexico either: 1) as evidence, 2) as a binding resolution, or 3) as a resolution to be enforced. In the first case, the foreign resolution is utilized as evidence of facts but not of law, in the second as evidence of law (res judicata), and in the third as a resolution to be enforced.

Employees working for an insolvent company will have to be given at least 30 days’ notice of redundancy, under new legislative reforms to be introduced by the Government.

The issue of redundancy due to insolvency has been a topical issue over the past number of years due to the contentious closures of Clerys and Debenhams. The proposal is part of a new Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Action Plan to boost the rights of employees.

Business interruption (BI) insurance protects businesses against loss suffered as a result of a slowdown or suspension of operations. This includes loss of profits, loan payments and certain expenditure, such as rent.

A challenging economic environment and Covid-19 are behind a looming wave of contentious insolvency in the Middle East. The legislative framework in the UAE now provides the tools to creditors to face the challenge.

The government has introduced the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space), which came into effect on 4 May 2021, which allows individuals who are struggling with debt to apply for a “breathing space” in which to sort out their finances.  This scheme, which was introduced in response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, includes residential tenants who are in arrears of rent.

What is a breathing space?

There are two types of breathing space:-