Le 11 juin 2013, la Chambre des députés luxembourgeoise a voté une loi instaurant un droit de revendication en faveur de la personne qui a confié des biens meubles "incorporels" non fongibles à une entreprise qui est tombée en faillite (le dossier parlementaire peut être téléchargé ici). Il ressort des travaux préparatoires qu'une des hypothèses visées est la revendication de données et fichiers stockés via une solution "cloud" (informatique dématérialisée) chez un prestataire tiers.
Le Luxembourg souhaite se doter de nouvelles procédures d’insolvabilité en raison d’une augmentation constante du nombre de faillites qui a désormais atteint un niveau record en dépassant le millier de faillites depuis 2012. Le gouvernement considère qu’en période de crise la mise en place d’un système approprié en matière d’entreprises en difficulté devient primordiale pour prévenir au mieux la faillite.
When doing business with a Luxembourg company in financial distress, the counterpart should be aware that certain transactions are at risk.
Doing business with a bankrupt Luxembourg company
A bankrupt Luxembourg company is automatically deprived from the administration of its assets. All transactions must be entered into by the receiver in bankruptcy acting in the name and on behalf of the bankrupt company.
On 1 November 2023, the new Luxembourg law of 7 August 2023 on the continuation of businesses and the modernisation of insolvency law (the “New Law”) entered into force. The New Law introduces new safeguard mechanisms designed to promote the continuity and preservation of businesses and the jobs that go with it. It provides for a mix of out-of-court and in-court procedures, including the option for a conciliator, the possibility of amicable agreements and judicial reorganisation procedures, and grants unfortunate but bona fide traders a second chance.
In brief
On 1 November 2023, the Luxembourg law dated 7 August 2023, issued from Draft Bill No. 6539A on business preservation and modernization of the insolvency law ("Law" or "Reform"), entered into force.
While initial discussions leading to this Reform started about ten years ago1, the need for suitable instruments to address financial difficulties in businesses was further emphasized by the pandemic, resulting in a notable increase in bankruptcies in Luxembourg since 2021.
On 1st November 2023, the new Luxembourg law of 7 August 2023 on the continuation of businesses and modernisation of insolvency law (the "Law") enters into force.
This long-awaited reform implements Directive 2019/1023 to introduce a modern restructuring regime, with out-of-court and court supervised mechanisms to protect companies in distress. The Law is expected to provide more flexible and effective measures for businesses under financial stress and their creditors, making Luxembourg an attractive jurisdiction for restructurings.
On 19 July 2023, the Luxembourg parliament finally passed a new law to modernize insolvency law and preserve businesses, after more than a decade since the first draft bill (n° 6539) was presented.
In line with EU regulation, Luxembourg has finally passed an amendment resulting in the creation of an insolvency register, active since 10 February, 2023. The change will affect Luxembourg companies declared insolvent and is intended to improve searches of insolvency registers throughout the EU.