1. The reform and its drivers

We are witnessing an unprecedented review of Spanish Law 22/2003 on Insolvency Proceedings (Spanish Insolvency Act or “IA”).  With the recent approval of three Royal Decree-Laws (“RDLs”), namely RDL 4/2014, of 7 March, RDL 11/2014, of 5 September and RDL 1/2015, of 27 February), the Spanish legislator seeks to achieve three main goals:

1864775-v3\MADDOCS 1 AMENDMENT OF THE INSOLVENCY ACT ROYAL DECREE-ACT 1/2015 SECOND-CHANCE MECHANISM URGENT MEASURES TO REDUCE FINANCIAL BURDEN (in force as of 1 March 15) THE NEW MEASURES CAN AFFECT YOU IF AN INDIVIDUAL OWES YOU MONEY AND THEY ARE DECLARED INSOLVENT  If an individual, be they businessmen/entrepreneurs or not, owes you money and they become insolvent, and you (or your Company) have not secured the credit with a guarantee or with some type of security interest (mortgage or pledge), then you could be affected by the so-called “unpaid debt waiver benefit" that is applicable t

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REFORM OF THE INSOLVENCY ACT: Royal Decree-Act 11/2014
(passed on 5/9/2014; in force since 6/9/14)
WHO DOES IT AFFECT? HOW?
DEBTORS

Over the last few years Spain has amended its insolvency laws to promote
out of court refinancing arrangements as a much needed alternative
to formal insolvency proceedings. The outcome of these changes,
aimed at putting Spain on a par with other EU jurisdictions, is yet to be
seen. However, what is clear is that the latest round of amendments
has substantially improved the possibility of reaching an out of court
refinancing settlement in Spain.
Historically, in relation to syndicated facilities, out of court refinancing

On September 27, Law 14/2013, on support to the internationalization of business, was approved (Spanish Official Gazette of September 28).  From its entry into force on October 18, the procedure for out-of-court settlement of payments will be implemented, which is a new mechanism of debt renegotiation prior to the declaration of insolvency and an alternative to the so-called “pre-insolvency”, aimed to individual entrepreneurs, freelancers and small and medium-sized businesses that have not yet been declared insolvent whose assets and liabilities meet certain re

Two companies showed interest in the assets of a third company that was in a state of bankruptcy.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reshaped the global business landscape. Some companies that only months ago seemed unstoppably profitable have been brought to an existential brink by extended lockdowns, supply chain failures, and other obstacles caused by the pandemic. Other companies who have experienced less disruption (or in some cases windfalls) stand at the threshold of opportunity even as they prepare themselves for the challenges of the 'new normal'.

This is the twenty-ninth in our series of General Counsel Updates which aim to summarise major developments in key areas.

Law 3/2020, of 18 September, on procedural and organisational measures to tackle COVID-19 in the area of the Administration of Justice entered into effect on 20 September 2020.

The new insolvency and corporate measures are brought in with three primary aims:

Act 38/2011, of 10 October, which reforms the former Spanish Insolvency Act, introduces a number of measures, including the possibility of obtaining court approval for refinancing agreements meeting certain requirements to extend the agreed debt rescheduling to certain creditors that have either opposed the refinancing agreement (i.e. dissident creditors), or that have not participated in it.

Additional Provision 4 of the Insolvency Act establishes that court approval for refinancing agreements may be sought by the debtor if they meet the following conditions: