Introduction

The State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 (the “Act”) was signed into law on 27 July 2014.  The Act is further evidence of the Irish government’s commitment to the aviation finance and leasing sector and further bolsters Ireland’s position as a centre of excellence in aviation.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, TD, announced the commencement of section 4 of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 dealing with bankruptcy on 3 December 2013. Other elements of the act, including the introduction of alternative insolvency arrangements such as personal insolvency arrangements, have already been introduced.

The Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2013 (the “Act”) was signed into law on 24 December 2013 and has introduced what has become colloquially referred to as “examinership-lite”, or what it is hoped will be a new SME-friendly examinership regime. Examinership is the legal mechanism by which an ailing but potentially viable company can be rescued. 

The Act introduces a number of amendments to existing company law legislation, the most significant of which alters the regime in respect of the role of the Circuit Court in the examinership process. 

Ireland’s new insolvency regime came into effect on 3 December 2013. The new regime revamps the existing bankruptcy laws and brings Ireland closer into line with our European neighbours.  It focuses on negotiating an arrangement with creditors where possible, with bankruptcy as a last resort.

The Act provides for both a single insolvency priority order for underfunded schemes where the employer is solvent at the date of wind-up and a double insolvency priority order for underfunded schemes where the employer is insolvent at the date of wind-up.  It should be noted that for a scheme with a number of participating employers, all of the employers must be insolvent for the double insolvency priority order to apply.

Single insolvency priority order

Since July 2011, lenders have lived with great uncertainty as to their statutory rights, particularly their right to obtain possession of a secured property by way of summary proceedings. This uncertainty arose as a result of the 2011 High Court decision in Start Mortgages Limited & Ors v Gunn and Ors[1] (the “Start Mortgages Case”).

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter recently unveiled further details about the new personal insolvency process, which forms part of the Personal Insolvency Act, 2012. An information campaign about the process has also begun.

Changes to Personal Insolvency Regime in Ireland

The Finance Bill 2013 introduces a number of provisions that impact on the VAT treatment of transactions involving liquidators, receivers and mortgagees in possession (the “Insolvency Practitioners”). These provisions were largely expected following the consultation process on the tax implications of appointing a receiver which has been ongoing since July 2012.

A recent High Court decision has further demonstrated that failure to comply with the Code of Conduct of Mortgage Arrears (the “Code”) is likely to result in the court refusing to grant an order for possession.

Summary

The proposed Personal Insolvency Bill, published on 25 January 2012, provides for significant changes to the personal insolvency regime in Ireland.