Contract Natural Gas Limited v ZOG Energy Ltd [1] is the first post-Enterprise Act 2002 judgment on the effect of administration on limitation. After reviewing existing authority and statute, the Court confirmed that (among other things) time does not stop running for limitation purposes when a company enters a post-Enterprise Act administration. Fraser Ritson, Aziz Abdul and Brian Rostron acted for Joshua Dwyer and William Wright in their capacity as the joint liquidators of Contract Natural Gas Limited – in Liquidation.
Key developments in 2024
2024 has seen one of the most significant insolvency cases in recent years. In June, Justice Leech handed down his judgment on the claim brought by the liquidators of BHS against certain of its former directors for wrongful trading and misfeasance. This judgment is likely to have important consequences for the D&O market.
It was particularly noteworthy as it was the first time that the directors of a company had been found guilty of the novel claim of 'misfeasant trading'.
Restructuring Plans (RPs)
2024 was a year of firsts for RPs, and as case law in this area continues to evolve, there is little doubt that this will carry through into 2025.
It would be remiss not to expect to see more RPs in 2025. News of Thames Water's restructuring is "splashed" all over the press and Speciality Steel's plan might see the first "cram up" of creditors, but there seems a long way to go to get creditors onside.
Egypt’s bankruptcy law has undergone significant reforms in recent years, reflecting a broader effort to modernize the country s economic framework and create a more business-friendly environment. This article explores the key aspects of Egyptian bankruptcy law, focusing on its purpose, procedures, and implications for businesses and creditors.
The Evolution of Bankruptcy Law in Egypt
When a company enters liquidation, the appointed liquidator steps into a pivotal role – one that requires navigating complex challenges to recover assets and maximize returns for creditors. This task entails conducting detailed investigations and pursuing legal actions, processes that demand a careful balance of inquiry, judgment, and responsibility.
Il 27 settembre 2024 è stato pubblicato in Gazzetta Ufficiale il D. Lgs. 13 settembre 2024, n. 136 (“Correttivo-ter”), terzo – e attualmente ultimo – Decreto Correttivo al Codice della Crisi d’Impresa e dell’Insolvenza.
Il novello decreto correttivo ha apportato modifiche sostanziali a numerosi istituti del Codice della Crisi. Al netto di alcuni ritocchi di stile e di dettaglio, il Correttivo-ter, da un lato, recepisce talune prassi o risolve dubbi interpretativi e, dall’altro, introduce specifiche novità largamente attese dagli operatori.
A recent decision of the Commercial Sheriff Court at Perth in the case of Priority Construction UK Limited v Advanced Material Processing Limited, reported at [2024] SC PER 48, has confirmed the position in relation to the proper basis for liquidation petitions to be brought against debtor companies. The moral of this story is that liquidation petitions should not be used to try to recover a validly disputed debt - something that all creditors and practitioners should be alert to.
The facts
The provisions governing the winding-up of co-operatives are reflected in the Co-operatives Act No. 14 of 2005 and its regulations.
How are co-operatives wound up?
A recentPwC reportfound that there has been a slight rise in companies availing of the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (“SCARP”).
SCARP made up 6% of corporate insolvencies in Q2 2024, up from 3% in the previous quarter.
However, overall, the numbers availing of this insolvency option remain low, which is notable given that insolvencies generally are increasing.
Insolvency Trends
The Times reported yesterday on the continued promotion of an “insolvency avoidance” scheme, despite efforts by the Insolvency Service to close it down. The scheme claims to offer directors of distressed companies a means of avoiding formal liquidation – with the associated scrutiny of their actions and risk of personal liability.