In this three-part series looking at the state of the UK retail sector, we have seen that retailers are facing a number of significant challenges and considered how these might shape trends in the sector, in both the short and medium term.

“There’s a magical place, we’re on our way there, with toys in their millions, all under one roof – it’s called… Toys R Us!”

The lyrics resonate with millions worldwide. The advert is as iconic as Coca Cola’s “Holidays Are Coming” commercial or the Sainsbury’s “Christmas is for sharing” World War 1 cinematic ad. Sadly, there is no longer a magical place aura emanating from the retail giant, but a sobering reality that its financial disarray may lead to the company’s demise.

The special administrators of MFGUK have come up with a CVA proposal for its remaining ordinary creditors, which will enable the winding-up of the estate to the benefit of the creditors.

The administrators have made a number of material settlements and realisations during the administration, simplifying the estate and permitting distributions to ordinary unsecured creditors of 90p in the pound.

Case Study: US-based unsecured creditor proactively protects its position and recoveries from the liquidation of its UK distributor

When a company enters into an insolvency process in the UK, the position of unsecured creditors is typically one of uncertainty. Ranking fifth1 in the insolvency payment waterfall, unsecured creditors frequently find themselves out of the money. Even in cases where there are sufficient realizations to make a distribution to unsecured creditors, they may receive only a minimal amount in respect of their outstanding debts.

Background

Urbisity Ltd (the “Company”) was a developer of up market apartments. The Company funded its developments through various loans and its two directors, Nicholas Mullen (“NM”) and Christopher White (“CW”) acted as guarantors. Following the credit crunch, sales waned and, without substantial equity, the Company began selling property it owned and borrowing money from family members, one of which was NM’s father, Francis Mullen (“FM”).

This article was first published for Thomson Reuters' Practical Law Dispute Resolution Blog.

ADVISORY | DISPUTES | TRANSACTIONS Restructuring and insolvency roundup January 2018 In this roundup, we consider four cases with implications for all those involved in the restructuring and insolvency sector. This edition includes an article on crowdfunding, a sector which continues to be of interest to practitioners giving the changing regulatory landscape and the risk to investors. Other cases include two Court of Appeal decisions and cover privilege in bankruptcy, the adequacy of ATE policies, and the requirement for boards to be quorate when directors appoint administrators.

Key points

• Once clear that an action is improperly constituted, it should not be allowed to proceed.

• Those in control of a company have the duty to manage that company in accordance with its constitution.

The Facts

The English Court of Appeal has recently outlined the methodology for calculating interest when a surplus remains following full payment of debts by a company in administration.

The English High Court in Bank and Clients Plc v King and Brown considered guarantor liability in circumstances where the guarantors, Messrs King and Brown, alleged representations had been made by the Bank that would relieve them of their liability.