John Alderton

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Latest Market Guidance on the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (“NSIA”) is not particularly comforting to UK restructuring professionals

The NSIA is aimed at safeguarding national security and only applies to certain transactions occurring within certain sectors where national security might be threatened.  There are 17 sectors in total, including energy, transport, and communications.   Depending on the transaction, the NSIA may require a purchaser to notify the Secretary of State of an acquisition to … Continue Reading

To Complete or not to Complete – “Early” Completion of Company Voluntary Arrangements (UK)

Can a Company Voluntary Arrangement (“CVA”) complete, but still remain in place and bind creditors? The simple answer is yes; but it does require (a) the terms of the CVA to be carefully drafted to allow notice of completion to be filed before the end of the CVA term; (b) compliance with the terms of … Continue Reading

(UK) Court Crams Down HMRC in the latest SME Restructuring Plan

There has been very little to indicate how HM Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) might approach a restructuring plan (RP), following HMRC’s preferential status being restored in 2020.     The reinstatement of HMRC as a preferential creditor potentially makes company voluntary arrangements non-viable if HMRC do not support, but what about RPs?   RPs introduced for the first … Continue Reading

Restructuring Foreign Companies in England Using a Restructuring Plan

A restructuring plan may well be a very effective way of restructuring a foreign company. It has several advantages over a scheme of arrangement and with a relatively low entry threshold, the English court has already sanctioned at least one plan for a foreign company in the relatively short time that it has been available.  … Continue Reading

UK Court Sanctions First “Mid-tier” Company Restructuring Plan

Opening the door for the SME market, Sir Alistair Norris has sanctioned the first ever restructuring plan for a “mid-market” company.  The plan sanctioned in Amicus Finance PLC (in administration) is also the first restructuring plan proposed by insolvency practitioners and the first to cram down a secured creditor. The sanction judgment is short, but … Continue Reading

Resetting Your UK Business for the New Normal

Many local, national and global businesses with UK operations have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Cash flows have been impacted, trade and supply chains disrupted and business and consumer confidence damaged. Many businesses are facing the same challenges at the same time. The key for businesses to resetting for the “new normal” … Continue Reading

UK Insolvency Law Changes – impact of House of Lords amendments to the “new” moratorium on secured lenders

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill (the “Bill”) was published on 20 May 2020 and introduced a new debtor-in-possession moratorium to give companies breathing space in order to try to rescue the company as a going concern. The Bill went through the House of Commons on 3 June and passed through the House of Lords … Continue Reading

UK Insolvency Law Changes – the “New” Moratorium and Other Stakeholders

As set out in the first blog in this series, the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill (the “Bill”) introduces a new debtor-in-possession moratorium to give companies breathing space in order to try to rescue the company as a going concern. The first blog outlined how the moratorium will work and the second blog focused on … Continue Reading

UK Insolvency Law Changes – the “New” Moratorium and Secured Lenders

As set out in the first blog in this series, the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill (the “Bill”) introduces a new debtor-in-possession moratorium to give companies breathing space in order to try to rescue the company as a going concern. The first blog outlined how the moratorium will work. This blog will focus on the … Continue Reading

UK Insolvency Law changes – What is the proposed new “moratorium”?

On 20 May 2020, the UK Government introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill (the “Bill”) to the House of Commons. The Bill introduces a new debtor-in-possession moratorium to give companies breathing space in order to try to rescue the company as a going concern. The Bill is currently only in draft form and therefore … Continue Reading

New UK Insolvency Laws offers support for businesses struggling with cash flow, but what else can lenders and others expect?

The UK Government published the Corporate Governance and Insolvency Bill on 20 May 2020. The legislation will be fast tracked and include both temporary and permanent changes to the UK insolvency legislation. The temporary measures, aimed at supporting businesses struggling with cash flow and facing distress due to COVID-19, include prohibitions on presentation of winding … Continue Reading

Summary of European Governments’ Financial Support: updated to include the Middle East

On 7 April, we launched our Summary of European Governments Financial Support, to provide a quick and easy guide to what support is available to businesses. Please view our updated version of the guide, with additional content for a number of key Middle East countries. Throughout Europe and the Middle East, governments have sought to … Continue Reading

Q&A: Regulatory requirements for UK Insolvency Practitioners during COVID-19

COVID-19 is placing unprecedented strain on all businesses, and insolvency practitioner (“IP”) practices are no exception. Government-imposed restrictions on activities and movement will have a direct impact on the ability to carry on business as usual. There may be fewer employees available (through illness, self-isolation and furloughing), strain placed on remote working capabilities and a … Continue Reading

Q&A: How should UK Insolvency Practitioners deal with active cases during COVID-19?

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 … Continue Reading

Changes to the UK Government financial measures mean more small and mid-tier businesses can benefit

In our previous blog we reported on the lack of funding that the UK Government financial support measures provided to mid-tier businesses – leaving many unable to benefit from much needed funding to help with cash flow and liquidity issues. Many smaller businesses were also unable to qualify for support. Today the Chancellor has announced changes … Continue Reading
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