While much of the focus of the insolvency and restructuring world has (rightly and understandably) been on the fundamental changes introduced under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020, it is worth remembering that there have been major tax changes, too.
The Finance Act 2020 received Royal Assent today (22 July), confirming the anticipated but opposed intention to restore HMRC as a secondary preferential creditor on insolvency.
From 1 December 2020 HMRC’s claim will sit ahead of floating charge holders and unsecured creditors reducing the monies available for distribution to both when a corporate files for insolvency.
This quick guide summarises the duties that directors of companies incorporated in England and Wales are subject to, and how those duties change when the company is insolvent or at risk of being insolvent. It also provides an overview of the personal risk to directors when the company is in financial difficulty.
This note is intended as an overview and should not be relied on as legal advice. Should you require legal advice in relation to your specific circumstances, please contact the Restructuring & Insolvency team members whose contact details are at the end of this note.
Directors' Duties and Related Matters, in the Context of COVID-19
EMEA UK 27 May 2020
Scope And Purpose of This Note
This note summarises the duties that directors of companies incorporated in England and Wales are subject to.
This note explains those duties, and matters that directors should consider in relation to those duties, in the context of the developing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), commonly known as the "coronavirus" or simply, COVID-19, pandemic.
The Insolvency Service has released statistics on the level of insolvencies in April 2020. This allows us to take a look at the immediate effect of insolvencies post-lockdown compared with those before.
Statistics
The Australian government has taken swift action to enact new legislation that significantly changes the insolvency laws relevant to all business as a result of the ongoing developments related to COVID-19.
The Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Act 2020 (Response Act) became effective on March 25, 2020, and is an effort to provide temporary relief to companies experiencing financial distress as a result of the ongoing and rapidly changing economic slowdown caused by COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Response Act
This quick guide summarises the duties that directors of companies incorporated in England and Wales are subject to, and how those duties change when the company is insolvent or at risk of being insolvent. It also provides an overview of the p
This quick guide summarises the duties that directors of companies incorporated in England and Wales are subject to, and how those duties change when the company is insolvent or at risk of being insolvent. It also provides an overview of the personal risk to directors when the company is in financial difficulty.
COVID-19 and Government-imposed restrictions are placing an unprecedented strain on everyone and businesses and individuals may be facing extreme financial pressure. COVID-19 is impacting businesses throughout the supply chain in most, if not all, sectors. This may mean that clients and debtors are unable to meet their obligations and there may need to be changes as to how these are dealt with. This note aims to provide some guidance to help Insolvency Practitioners (“IPs”) deal with certain practical issues that may arise in active cases.
The amendments of the Response Act are temporary and will apply for six months until September 23, 2020. However, subject to economic and health developments, the provisions may be expanded in both their application and scope
In a move that will be greeted with a small sigh of relief by individuals, businesses and insolvency practitioners affected by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published new guidance on its approach to insolvency procedures.
The guidance covers: