The retail and hospitality sector in Australia remains relatively steady in terms of financial performance. However, retailers, including those in hospitality, continue to be faced with some persistent headwinds and difficult trading conditions. In our three (3) part series, we cover some of the challenges facing Australian businesses in the sector, including those exposed to external administrations, the strategies that are working via administration, and how early intervention and turnaround strategies can help preserve long term enterprise value for stakeholders.

In a recent decision, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court has clarified equitable subordination risks in connection with shareholder loans. The key takeaways are as follows:

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“Code”), has marked a significant shift in India’s corporate insolvency landscape, transitioning from a debtor-centric approach to a creditor-centric approach. With the committee of creditors (“CoC”) now driving the resolution process, it has become imperative for “related parties”, likely to sabotage the resolution process of a corporate debtor, to be excluded from the same.

Historically, a GP’s source of liquidity was self-generated. Whether through management fees or house carry, sources of cash for a sponsor came from within the sponsor’s structure. This, not surprisingly, places inherent limitations on the manager’s ability to grow the business, facilitate succession planning and achieve other strategic objectives.

Introduction

Debt relief is a critical topic, especially for individuals and companies facing financial hardships that may affect their stability. Recently, the UAE has implemented clear legislative frameworks, as have some international laws, to help facilitate debt relief or restructuring. This article covers the legal procedures available, focusing on UAE legislation and international regulations, along with real-world cases and examples.

First: Debt Discharge Under UAE Law

مقدمة

إسقاط الديون هو موضوع ذو أهمية كبيرة، خاصة للأفراد والشركات الذين يواجهون صعوبات مالية قد تؤثر على استقرارهم. وقد أتاحت قوانين دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة الحديثة، وكذلك بعض القوانين الدولية، إطارًا قانونيًا واضحًا لإسقاط الديون أو تخفيفها. تتناول هذه المقالة الإجراءات القانونية المتاحة، مع التركيز على التشريعات الإماراتية والتشريعات الدولية، إضافة إلى عرض بعض الحالات القانونية والأمثلة العملية.

أولاً: إسقاط الديون وفقًا لقانون الإمارات العربية المتحدة

قانون الإفلاس في الإمارات (القانون الاتحادي رقم 9 لسنة 2016)

Situations Partner Kai Zeng in London Kai Zeng, who advises on cross-border restructurings and special situations matters, has joined the firm in London as a partner in the Restructuring Department and Finance and Hybrid Capital & Special Situations groups.

Kai advises sponsors, debtors, creditors and strategic investors on restructurings of stressed and distressed businesses, as well as hedge and credit funds, investments banks and private equity firms on their review and diligence of European investment opportunities in par, stressed and distressed transactions.

自主清算程序相对更加灵活，可根据实际情况灵活调整清算策略，因此退出效率会更高。破产清算需要根据企业破产法的规定履行相应的程序流程并受法院监督，清产核资、拍卖处置资产也是时间不可控的程序，原则上破产清算周期更长。尽管如此，从破产管理人的选派程序和破产清算的申请流程看，破产管理人由法院指定，而后从破产申请到清算程序终止的一系列工作，均由破产管理人负责开展，公司股东工作量极大减少。

图：源自投中网

虽然过去五年国有资本的参股投资行为在投资金额上并不领先，但其项目数量远超并购及新股发行认购行为。与此相对应的是，国务院国资委于2023年6月23日发布了《国有企业参股管理暂行办法》（国资发改革规〔2023〕41号）（简称“暂行办法”），该办法对国有资本的投资、管理、退出进行了规范，标志着国资监管向强化国有企业参股管理迈进了一大步。《暂行办法》将适用范围扩大至所有国资委履行出资人职责的企业及其子企业，而不仅局限于中央企业^[1]。

在投资方面，该办法对国有资本进行了谦抑化规范，严控非主业投资，例如第六条要求国有资产投资“坚持聚焦主责主业，符合企业发展战略规划，严控非主业投资，不得通过参股等方式开展投资项目负面清单规定的禁止类业务”。

In a much-anticipated decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently held that unsecured noteholders’ claims against a debtor for certain “Applicable Premiums” were the “economic equivalent” to unmatured interest and, therefore, not recoverable under section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code.

Is it Groundhog Day for private equity backed companies struggling to cope with higher interest rates, or is it different this time? The attempts to curb inflation flowing from the re-opening of the global economy after the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine have seen interest rates rise globally. In this article we look back at the response to financial distress in private equity backed companies during the global financial crisis of 2007-2009 and ask if it is different this time?