The UK government has just proposed a number of amendments to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill (currently being considered by Parliament) which will impact on IT suppliers if they become law.
Bill Amendments
THE PERENNIAL PROBLEM OF UNPAID DEBTS – YOUR RECOVERY OPTIONS
A landmark ruling has paved the way for companies to restructure without necessarily making their pension scheme ineligible for the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). Trustees in the case of L v M sought the court’s support (and that of the Pensions Regulator) for a plan to prevent the insolvency of the sponsoring employer which would result in an apportionment of the debt due to the scheme from the employers, the winding up of the scheme and would take the scheme into the PPF.
This article originally appeared on LexisNexus.com
Produced in partnership with Susan Kelly, Caroline Castle and Ben Holland of Squire Patton Boggs.
Introduction to Common Participants in the Market
The oil and gas industry is a significant contributor to the UK economy:
References:
House of Commons Library Briefing Paper: UK offshore oil and gas industry 22 March 2016
The interest rate mis-selling scandal took another twist recently when a landmark legal case was dismissed by the High Court. Had the case been successful it would have challenged the banks’ £2.1bn compensation scheme set-up to settle inappropriate interest rate swaps – however the decision only brings temporary relief for the banks.
Background
The suitability of the collective consultation regime under the Trade Union and Labour Relation (Consolidation) Act 1992 (“TULRCA”) in an insolvency scenario has always been a hot topic amongst insolvency professionals.
Over the last seven months there has been a spate of cases dealing with the relationship between arbitration law and insolvency law.
Winding-up petitions and arbitration clauses
The UK Government announced plans in parliament on 3 March 2015 requiring insolvency practitioners to provide an upfront estimate of their fees for creditor approval, where they are charging on a time-cost basis. The new rules are expected to be in force from October 2015 for English and Welsh regimes (although they will not apply to members’ voluntary liquidations).
Phones 4u went into administration on 15 September 2014 following a decision by EE not to renew its contract. At the time of writing, all 560 stores and 160 concessions have been closed, pending a decision by the firm’s administrator whether to continue trading or break the company up in deals with, amongst others, EE and Vodafone.
- Transfers
From April 2012 it has been possible to make transfer payments from contracted-out to contracted-in pension plans. Many members have a statutory right to such a transfer (irrespective of contrary restrictions in pension plan rules). Legislation sets down a number of member safeguards that must be met. Any transfer is subject to a receiving scheme being willing to accept it. Trustees should be aware of the impact on administration and member communications.