The case of SBP 2 S.À.R.L v 2 Southbank Tenant Limited [2025] EWHC 16 (Ch) highlights the importance of careful drafting and robust legal advice when looking to forfeit a lease.
Background
The Supreme Court has confirmed that s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986, which provides for the avoidance of certain transactions where they have been entered into for the purpose of defrauding creditors, has a broad application and covers not only transactions entered into by the debtor personally, but also those entered into via the debtor's company: El-Husseiny and another v Invest Bank PSC [2025] UKSC 4.
Introduction
Insolvency is a critical financial state that affects both individuals and businesses worldwide. It occurs when a person or organization can no longer meet its financial obligations as they fall due or when liabilities exceed assets. Understanding insolvency is vital to navigate financial challenges effectively and develop strategies for recovery.
Types of Insolvency
1. Cash Flow Insolvency
A recent decision of the Court of Session has found that a Scottish administration can be declared as ancillary to an insolvency process in another jurisdiction. This means that the insolvency proceedings in one jurisdiction are considered as the main insolvency proceedings, while the ancillary proceedings in the other jurisdiction are restricted to dealing with the company's assets located there.
Background
Welcome to our latest quarterly bulletin which contains updates on commercial litigation developments over the past three months, largely by reference to articles posted to our Litigation Notes blog in that period. Other posts are available on the blog, which you can visit any time. Or subscribe to be notified of the latest updates: https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/notes/litigation.
Changes are afoot to the statutory regime governing special administrations for regulated water companies (the SAR) following the publication of a suite of new legislation.
Impact of the changes on pension trustees
On the 1st of November 2023 the Supreme Court published its judgment in the case of R (on the application of Palmer) (Appellant) v Northern Derbyshire Magistrates Court and another (Respondents) following a one-day hearing in March. Philip Jones and David Garner report on the hearing in this article.
Other than the usual post termination restrictions following a director’s departure, one would assume that directors would no longer be subject to any obligations upon their resignation. Whilst this is strictly true, in that directors’ duties will generally no longer apply once they cease to be a director, there are, however, a few instances whereby directors may still find themselves liable even after stepping down.
Can I even resign?
Background
In R (on the application of Palmer) (Appellant) v. Northern Derbyshire Magistrates Court and another (Respondents), the Supreme Court held that an administrator appointed under the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986) is not an "officer" of the insolvent company under section 194(3) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRCA).
HM Treasury has published a response to its consultation on managing the failure of systemic digital settlement asset firms.