It seems like s248 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (“Act”) is flavour of the month with the judiciary at the moment, with two recent cases analysing this in the context of administration extensions (read our previous blogs here and here ) and now a further decision considering this in the context of converting an administration … Continue Reading
As practitioners we pour over notices of intention to appoint (NOIA) and notices of appointment of administrators (NOA) to make sure every detail is accurate. Why? Because no one wants to risk an invalid appointment because there was a minor mistake or error that was overlooked. Understandably errors occur, particularly when the appointment of administrators … Continue Reading
No, it isn’t. We now have two cases where the Court has confirmed that insolvency practitioners do not need the consent of paid secured creditors when extending an administration under para. 78 of Schedule B1 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (the “Act”). In Boughey & Anor v Toogood International Transport and Agricultural Services Ltd [2024] … Continue Reading
This question was considered in the recent case of Pindar where the judge concluded that an administration had been validly extended where the consent of one of the secured creditors (who had been paid) was not obtained. Many insolvency practitioners are likely to welcome this decision with open arms given that it can be problematic … Continue Reading
For those unfamilar with the various insolvency processes it is not always easy to differentiate between them. In our latest insight we have produced a quick guide to administration that explains the procedure, benefits and effect of administration on third parties, including employees, suppliers and landlords. Our quick guide also explains the administrator’s role and … Continue Reading
Changes are afoot to the statutory regime governing special administrations for regulated water companies (the SAR) following the publication of a suite of new legislation. Impact of the changes on pension trustees Further details of the changes are set out below, but perhaps the most significant change for creditors generally, and pension trustees in particular, … Continue Reading
There are a few things that we can be almost certain of in 2024, and others are things to add to the watchlist, but with a potential change in government on the cards, there are likely to be a few curveballs thrown into the mix that none of us can predict.… Continue Reading
In Lehman Brothers (PTG) Ltd (In Administration), the court considered whether to grant an order extending the administration of Lehman Brothers (PTG) Ltd (the “Company”) for a further two years and in doing so, provided some useful observations about when a court will grant an extension where a company is in distribution mode.… Continue Reading
With increased public awareness that a notice of intention to appoint administrators (NOI) has been filed, we are finding that third parties – usually the company’s creditors, suppliers and employees – are disrupting the administration process in a way that can cause significant risks to a company’s ability to continue trading, the overall value of … Continue Reading
Making an out of hours qualifying floating charge holder (“QFCH”) appointment can be problematic due to the procedural requirements set out in Rule 3.20 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (the “Rules”). If a QFCH wishes to make an appointment when the court is closed then it can do so but must … Continue Reading
In September 2023, the insolvency administrator of the insolvent Wirecard AG began reclaiming dividend distributions for 2017 and 2018 from shareholders. This is following a judgment of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) in March 2023 (BGH judgment of March 30, 2023 – IX ZR 121/22). In that judgment the BGH ruled that in the … Continue Reading
The Court of Appeal has unanimously overturned an unlawful preference ruling from the High Court, finding instead that the repayment of inter-company debt did not amount to a preference because, at the time the operative decision to make the repayment occurred, there was no desire to prefer. The case involved the repayment, by Comet Group … Continue Reading
Although an initial administration extension can be dealt with by consent, if that consent is not valid the extension will also be invalid. This leaves administrators in a difficult position because they will not be in office unless the court remedies the position. Obtaining consent might seem straightforward but obtaining the consent of secured creditors … Continue Reading
A floating charge debenture holder has the advantage that they can enforce their security by appointing their choice of administrators. This is a powerful and useful tool for lenders but is subject to the caveat that the debenture has to be “qualifying”. What does this mean? In short, the charge must give the lender the … Continue Reading
The court has recently confirmed that it does have jurisdiction to grant administrators a conditional discharge of liability but decided not to do so in the case of Re Central Properties Holdings Ltd (in administration) [2023]. In this blog we consider why the court refused to make that order and whether there are any circumstances … Continue Reading
Companies entering external administration often have outstanding tax filings. The external controllers appointed conduct initial and ongoing reviews as to those filings. Then, in time, they either bring the filings up to date or engage the tax office in order to revisit historical filings. Aside from being legally required to address a company’s filings, external … Continue Reading
It is difficult to predict what 2023 might hold for businesses in the UK. Given the difficult economic environment, many will already be facing a challenging start to the year. Although the challenges of the pandemic (such as lock downs) have gone, others have materialised. Energy price hikes and inflation rises continue to make trading conditions tough. At some point in 2023 affected businesses may have to restructure, and others may need to enter a formal process. … Continue Reading
In the case of Caversham Finance Limited (in administration) [2022] EWHC 789, the court considered whether errors in a notice to creditors seeking consent to extend an administration made the extension invalid. This case is important as it shows the court’s approach to omission of prescribed information in notices to creditors. The information that was … Continue Reading
It has almost been 12 months since the Administration (Restrictions on Disposal etc to Connected Persons) Regulations 2021 came into force on 30 April 2021. The regulations require an administrator to obtain creditor approval or a report from an independent evaluator in advance of completing a “substantial disposal” of the company’s property to a connected … Continue Reading
The Australian High Court has handed down judgment in a long-running dispute concerning former ASX listed Arrium Limited. The decision will be welcomed by individuals (particularly shareholders) and litigation funders, who may be seeking to conduct investigations into potential claims against a company in external administration, counterparties to that entity, its former or current advisors … Continue Reading
We discussed the announcement that Bulb Energy Ltd (“Bulb”) was due to be placed into special administration in our previous blog outlining how the rules for energy supply companies work, the supplier of last resort (“SoLR”) regime and what energy supply company special administration entails. In this blog we look at why it was necessary … Continue Reading
Three weeks after the introduction of the mandatory requirement to obtain an evaluator’s report or seek creditor approval before completing a substantial disposal of a company’s business or assets to a connected person, we have updated our Q&A to include new answers in light of the Insolvency Service’s guidance and following discussions with our clients. … Continue Reading
From 30 April 2021, an administrator will be unable to complete a sale of a substantial part of a company’s property to a connected person without either the approval of creditors or an an independent written option. Our new alert considers the impact of the new regulations in practice, which apply to both pre-packs and … Continue Reading
