In this article we investigate whether, in South African law, a subordination agreement could constitute a "voidable disposition" as defined in section 26 of the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 (the Act). 
 
Section 26 of the Act provides that every disposition of property not made for value may be set aside by the court, if the disposition was made by an insolvent (whether an individual, company or close corporation) either: 
 

Consider the following commonly encountered scenario: A creditor had instituted litigation proceedings against Company X and obtained a default judgment against it. Pursuant to the judgment the creditor issued a writ of execution, but is now faced with the situation where an affected person has brought an application in terms of section 131(1) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 (the Act) to place Company X under supervision and to commence business rescue proceedings. What is the effect on the creditor?

Ministerial Decisions  

Ministry of Manpower

Decision No. 611/2012  

Dissolves the trade union of the employees of Sojex Oman due to its failure to appoint sufficient members for the General Assembly.

Promulgated on 10 November 2012         Effective on promulgation  

Ministry of Manpower  

Decision No. 612/2012

Dissolves the trade union of the employees of Gulf Air due to its liquidation.  

InterTAN Canada Ltd (“InterTAN”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of US based Circuit City Store, Inc. (“Circuit City”), a consumer electronics retailer. In Canada, InterTAN operates retail stores under the trade name “The Source by Circuit City”. Prior to Circuit City's filing under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, InterTAN was a borrower under a syndicated credit facility between Circuit City, certain U.S. affiliates, InterTAN, Bank of America NA, as agent, and certain other loan parties (the “Secured Credit Facility”).

A business you are buying or selling, if reorganised for sale, may be less valuable if you do not avoid tax pitfalls. This note highlights the most common pitfalls, including those related to an insolvency. You can avoid most with planning.

Reorganisations

Many businesses will now be considering transactions involving corporate reorganisations. They might want to take advantage of market conditions to buy or be considering the sale of business units to refocus strategy. Or they might become involved in an insolvency or reconstruction.

Sultani Decrees  

Sultani Decree No. 44/2012

Ratifies an Annex to the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of the Republic of France.  

Promulgated on 27 August 2012           Effective on promulgation.

Sultani Decree No. 45/2012

Treasury is consulting on how to improve protection and payment of benefits for policyholders of insurers who get into financial difficulty. Historically, few insurers have been put into administration or liquidation, and none have been so seriously affected in the recent crisis. So Treasury thinks it is time to review the regime and suggests changes that would:

The Ontario Court of Appeal has confirmed the asset backed commercial paper CCAA Plan of Arrangement (2008 CaswellOnt 4811 (C.A.)). The reasoning of the Ontario Superior Court approving the Plan of Arrangement was reviewed in previous editions of this Newsletter.

Sultani Decrees  

Sultani Decree No. 43/2012

Amends some of the provisions of the Municipal Councils Law promulgated by SD 116/2011.  

Promulgated on 8 August 2012          Effective on promulgation.

Ministerial Decisions and Financial Publications  

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

Decision No. 177/2012  

In response to an imminent Order of Liquidation against the Kemper Insurance Companies, we have prepared the following “frequently asked questions” guide summarizing issues related to: (i) the financial regulation of insurance companies; (ii) the liquidation and proof of claim process in Illinois; (iii) potential recovery by policyholders of the amount of “covered” workers’ compensation claims from state guaranty associations; (iv) policyholder collateral; and (v) planning a response to the Kemper liquidation.1

I. FINANCIAL REGULATION OF INSURANCE COMPANIES