Creditors’ statutory demands are a very powerful, and commonly used weapon by creditors.  They are cheap and easy to issue, and the consequences for not dealing with one appropriately can be extremely serious – i.e. liquidation.

Because of this, the courts enforce strict compliance with the requirements imposed on a party seeking to rely on one, so creditors should ensure they are up to date on those requirements.

Industry participants who are close watchers of the different States’ and Territories’ security of payment regimes may have noticed a divergence between NSW and Victorian security of payment law in relation to failing corporate claimants. A recent NSW case regarding a head contractor’s unsuccessful challenge to the continuation of a deed of company arrangement may perpetuate a divergence in security of payment law in the context of insolvency.

Background – NSW law