Dear Clients and Friends,
In 2020, domestic and international energy markets were challenged by a worldwide pandemic and its effect on commodity prices, which accelerated disruptions in supply chains and impacted the energy transition in countries around the world.
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.
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Introduction
In order to preserve a bankrupt's assets for distribution to creditors, any disposition of the bankrupt's property from the date of the bankruptcy application is considered void. However, this position is not absolute – the Court may consent to or ratify the disposition. In Sutherland, Hugh David Brodie v Official Assignee [2021] SGHC 65, the Singapore High Court set out the applicable principles that it would take into account when considering whether to ratify such disposition.
Introduction
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on many businesses, with micro and small companies ("MSCs") being more vulnerable to potential insolvency. Whilst the existing Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act of 2018 ("IRDA") generally provides restructuring and winding up processes for companies with substantial assets, these processes may not be wholly suited for distressed MSCs which have now been depleted of their already limited resources, as a result of the pandemic.
The case in question is CIMB Bank Bhd v. World Fuel Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2021] SGCA 19. The decision was delivered on 5 March 2021 by the Singapore Court of Appeal.
The judgment addresses issues surrounding claims by a bank under assignments and other security documents over rights in and receivables under commodities supply contracts, and overturns the Singapore High Court decision in CIMB Bank Bhd v. World Fuel Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2020] SGHC 117.
Summary
Introduction
The Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 ("IRDA") allows a company proposing or intending to propose a scheme of arrangement to its creditors to apply to the Singapore High Court ("Court") for a moratorium restraining proceedings against the company. The Court may also extend the moratorium on application to cover a subsidiary or holding company. This is to allow the company some breathing room to conduct its restructuring efforts.
Guidance from the General Division of the Singapore High Court on the extent to which the protections afforded by the statutory moratoria for schemes of arrangement conflict with the ability of maritime claimants to protect their interests.
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