High rates of insolvencies look set to continue as the latest quarterly insolvency statistics have been published for England and Wales. Whilst the statistics show a 2% dip from the second quarter of 2023, the number of insolvencies remains 10% higher than in 2022 and shows a return to pre-pandemic levels for compulsory liquidations and administrations. It is particularly striking that the first two quarters of 2023 represent the highest quarterly insolvencies since Q2 2009.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (New Delhi Bench) (“NCLAT”) in two recent judgments passed in Raiyan Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. vs. Unrivalled Projects Pvt. Ltd. [Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 1071 of 2023] and Aryan Mining & Trading Corpn Pvt. Ltd. vs Kail limited and Anr. [Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.
On 26 September 2023, our Insolvency and Asset Recovery team hosted a seminar explaining the emerging and developing types of disputes focussed on insolvent estate recoveries.
The Insolvency Service released the quarterly insolvency statistics for July - September 2023 on 31 October, painting a picture of growing corporate distress. This period saw a total of 6,208 company insolvencies, which together with Q2 2023 marks the highest number of quarterly insolvencies since the midst of the financial crisis in 2009.
Although a comparison with Q2 figures shows a slight reduction of 2% in overall insolvencies, the figures for Q3 showed a marked rise in both compulsory liquidations (14% up on Q2) and administrations (11% higher than Q2).
The recent news on the BBC about the rise in insolvencies makes for tough reading. But those who are in business already know how difficult it is out there as they try to weather the trading conditions. Inflationary pressures are increasing the costs of providing goods and services to customers, eroding profitability.
The Financial Conduct Authority (“the FCA”) issued a Final Notice against London Capital & Finance plc (“LCF”) for contravening regulatory requirements (pursuant to section 205 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“the Act”)). The Final Notice contained a statement censuring LCF for failing to ensure that its financial promotions were fair, clear and not misleading.
In the matter of Mr. Shantanu Prakash vs. Mr. Mahendar Singh Khandelwal (resolution professional of Educomp Solutions Limited) and others, while disposing of an interim application filed under Section 60(5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”), the New Delhi bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (“NCLT New Delhi”) held that a guarantor can question the valuation at which the security pledged by the borrower with its secured creditor is enforced.
Brief Facts
Introduction
The law of 7 August 2023 on business preservation and modernisation of bankruptcy law (the Law) will enter into force on 1 November 2023.
In addition to introducing certain amendments to the existing insolvency framework, the Law implements EU Directive 2019/1023 of the European Parliament and the Council of 20 June 2019 on preventive restructuring frameworks.
Scope
The Law applies to all types of commercial companies and traders (commerçants), including special limited partnerships.
INTRODUCTION: