A recent case shows how even late payments can be used to satisfy the ordinary course of business defense in a preference avoidance action. Baumgart v. Savani Props Ltd. (In re Murphy), Case No. 20-11873, Adv. Pro. No. 20-1070, 2021 Bankr. LEXIS 1035 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio Apr. 19, 2021).
When an individual declares bankruptcy, the trustee-in-bankruptcy (trustee) may be able to claim, and sell, some of the bankrupt’s assets. The trustee can then use the proceeds from the sale to repay any money owed to creditors. Assets may include, but are not limited to, real estate, vehicles, tools, equipment, furniture, bank balances and lottery winnings.
On April 26, 2021, Royal Blue Realty Holdings, Inc., a New York-based real estate company, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 21-10802). The company reports $1 million to $10 million in assets and $10 million to $50 million in liabilities.
Third-party releases, particularly releases of non-debtor affiliated guarantors, are commonly a critical feature of a successful cross-border restructuring. In U.S. restructurings, where New York law typically governs the arrangements among a borrower, its lenders/noteholders and its guarantors, the restructuring or release of the primary obligor does not, without more, result in the restructuring or release of the guarantors’ obligations in respect of the guarantees. For this reason, in U.S.
The Court of Appeal has struck out Quincecare duty and dishonest assistance claims brought by the liquidators of a company operating a Ponzi scheme against a correspondent bank that operated various accounts for the company.
A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court (SC), by a common judgement in Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Limited vs. Bishal Jaiswal (15 April 2020, Civil Appeal No 323 of 2021) and related matters, has held that the for the purposes of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), balance sheet entries could constitute an acknowledgment of debt under Section 18 of the Limitation Act, 1963 (Limitation Act).
A balancing act
Creditors with legitimate grounds to challenge scheme or restructuring plan proposals and who assist the court in so doing should not be unduly discouraged by the costs regime. At the same time, frivolous arguments should not be supported with the promise of a costs award without consideration of party’s interests and other factors.
Virgin Active restructuring plans
The Irish High Court has delivered its judgment on repudiation of contracts (including leases and guarantees) in the Norwegian case which will be of interest to the aviation and restructuring and insolvency communities alike.
The key takeaways from the judgment (which will be dealt with in more detail in a future article) are:
Introduction
Under Singapore's restructuring and insolvency regime, a judicial manager has a degree of discretion in managing the affairs of the company in judicial management. However, the Court may intervene in a decision of a judicial manager if it is unfairly prejudicial to the interests of the company's creditors or members.
The impact of Covid-19 has been felt across the commercial property sector; nowhere more acutely, perhaps, than in "bricks and mortar" retail and hospitality.
Even pre-pandemic, the high street was being forced to adapt to the growth of eCommerce. But consecutive lockdowns have expedited the shift; for some, that change will be irreversible.