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.
As the economic headwinds indicate that borrowers will continue to face financial pressures in 2023 and beyond, lenders are seeking ways to exercise more leverage as “covenant-lite” facilities prevail. Material adverse change clauses in finance documents UK and US perspective By Olga Galazoula, Jacques McChesney and Charlotte Harvey 4 FUNDS INSIDER FUNDS INSIDER 5 The event relied upon by the lender to enforce this clause was the making of an arbitration award that could potentially result in significant damages being awarded against the borrower.
Two broad themes are currently emerging in relation to European private equity real estate financing.
First, market commentary has noted that €150 billion of this finance is due to mature by 2025 – the "wall of credit".
Background to this overview
The below overview is deemed to be a high-level overview providing the general outlines of the legal Luxembourg framework applicable to the members of the management board in private limited liability companies (sociétés à responsabilité limitée) (an “SARL”) in times of financial distress.
This edition will cover:
In times of financial uncertainties, and the subsequent distress that may follow, companies may have to look for ways to soften the financial burden they bear during this particular period.
The following options (a non-exhaustive list of "out of court" options) are usually put on the table:
ON 18 OCTOBER 2022, THE LUXEMBOURG PARLIAMENT PASSED A LAW (THE “LAW”) INTRODUCING AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING BY WHICH A COMPANY MAY BE DISSOLVED WITHOUT LIQUIDATION (PROCÉDURE DE DISSOLUTION ADMINISTRATIVE SANS LIQUIDATION) (THE “ADMINISTRATIVE DISSOLUTION PROCEEDING”) AT THE REQUEST OF THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR (PROCUREUR D’ETAT). THE LAW IS THE FIRST PART OF THE LARGEST-EVER REFORM TO MODERNISE LUXEMBOURG BANKRUPTCY LAW.
Objective of the Administrative Dissolution Proceeding
ON 18 OCTOBER 2022, THE LUXEMBOURG PARLIAMENT PASSED A LAW (THE “LAW”) INTRODUCING AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING BY WHICH A COMPANY MAY BE DISSOLVED WITHOUT LIQUIDATION (PROCÉDURE DE DISSOLUTION ADMINISTRATIVE SANS LIQUIDATION) (THE “ADMINISTRATIVE DISSOLUTION PROCEEDING”) AT THE REQUEST OF THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR (PROCUREUR D’ETAT). THE LAW IS THE FIRST PART OF THE LARGEST-EVER REFORM TO MODERNISE LUXEMBOURG BANKRUPTCY LAW.
Objective of the Administrative Dissolution Proceeding
In brief
On 15 July 2022, a new law ("Law") amending inter alia the Luxembourg law of 5 August 2005 on financial collateral arrangements, as amended ("2005 Law"), was adopted.