Confirmation of a chapter 11 plan providing for the reorganization or liquidation of a debtor is the culmination of the chapter 11 process. To promote the fundamental policy of finality in that process, the general rule is that a final confirmation order is inviolable. The absence of certainty that the transactions effectuated under a plan are valid and permanent would undermine chapter 11's fundamental purpose as a vehicle for rehabilitating ailing enterprises and providing debtors with a fresh start.

On September 13, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware issued a highly anticipated decision in the In re: Yellow Corporation, et al. bankruptcy that addressed objections to 11 multiemployer pension funds’ withdrawal liability claims totaling $6.5 billion, where those plans received billions in taxpayer-funded Special Financial Assistance (SFA) provided under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was not included in plan assets for purposes of the withdrawal liability assessments based upon PBGC regulations.

Construction insolvency is not a new problem. With the continued presence of fixed price contracts, in an industry which has always been troubled with cash flow problems and low profit margins, coupled with persistent cost inflation and labour and materials issues affecting the supply chain, it is no surprise that we continue to see insolvencies. The question is, what can you do to protect yourself from insolvency?

Shareholder disputes can often be complex and emotionally charged, particularly in small or family-owned companies where personal relationships and business interests are deeply intertwined. When such disputes reach an impasse, the law provides several mechanisms for resolution. In particular, disgruntled shareholders have the ability to bring statutory based claims against the company.

The High Court has ordered two former directors of British Home Stores (BHS) to pay compensation of £110 million in respect of misfeasance claims brought by the former retailer’s liquidators (Wright v Chappell [2024] EWHC 2166 (Ch)).

The below sets out key considerations when dealing with an extension of an administration at the end of the first-year anniversary.

Unregistered and time-barred foreign judgments can found the basis of insolvency proceedings in England

The English High Court has ruled that unregistered and time-barred foreign judgments can found the basis of insolvency proceedings in England.

The threat of insolvency proceedings can be a strong form of leverage to obtain a successful outcome on enforcement of a judgment debt, as judgment debtors will often pay up when faced with the prospect of being found insolvent.

Foreign money judgments

The High Court in England recently issued a stark warning to directors who fail to consider their duties to the company and its creditors when entering financial difficulties.

Background

Recently, the High Court of Delhi, reinforced the application of Section 32A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC“). Section 32A of the IBC states that the liability of a corporate debtor (“CD“) for an offence committed prior to commencement of the corporate insolvency resolution process (“CIRP”) shall cease and the CD shall not be prosecuted for such an offence from the date the resolution plan (“Plan“) has been approved by the adjudicating authority (“AA”).

In MaIlinckrodt PLC v. Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, No. 23-1111, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a Delaware bankruptcy court decision finding a debtor’s obligation to pay a perpetual royalty was an unsecured claim that was dischargeable in bankruptcy. The decision is a cautionary tale for contract counterparties that negotiate future payment rights.

Background