Actions brought against the BHS directors by the group’s liquidators have resulted in the largest reported award for wrongful trading since the provision’s introduction, but the judgment highlights some unsettled areas of the...more
Despite three recent landmark UK restructuring plan decisions, uncertainty remains around the value, if any, a plan company should offer dissenting creditors as the “deliverability price” of a plan....more
The U.K. Jurisdiction Taskforce has published a consultation relating to its proposed Legal Statement offering guidance on the application of English insolvency law principles to digital assets. The proposed Legal Statement...more
The Part 26A restructuring plan has introduced significant cross-class cramdown powers that may impact the defined benefit pension arrangements in the UK. As the UK looks set to enter a new restructuring cycle, the...more
In a new ruling, the UK Supreme Court concluded that the rule applies only when a company is “insolvent or bordering on insolvency”. On 5 October 2022, the UK Supreme Court handed down judgment in BTI 2014 LLC v. Sequana...more
Key Points - - The UK Supreme Court has affirmed directors' duty to consider creditors' interests. - The timing for the duty to be engaged is pushed back to when a company is bordering on insolvency. - Once the...more
UK Supreme Court gives important judgment on directors’ “creditor duty” The UK Supreme Court in BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana SA and ors [2022] UKSC 25 has given an important judgment clarifying the nature of the so-called “creditor...more
The Supreme Court’s decision in BTI v Sequana & Others represents the most significant ruling on the duties of directors of distressed companies of the past 30 years. This Supreme Court decision considers the balancing...more
Key Point The - UK government's proposals to only partially implement a new UNCITRAL Model Law means that creditors of English law debts who do not consent to a foreign restructuring proceeding will still have recourse to...more
It has now been more than three months since the UK Government imposed a nationwide lockdown. Whilst certain businesses are beginning to resume operations, many still face an uncertain future....more
More than a third of the world’s population is under lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19. The virus and these responsive measures have heavily disrupted lives, communities, and healthcare systems. Many businesses have...more
The UK Parliament made an Order on 3 March 2020 which increases the prescribed part, payable to unsecured creditors from floating charge recoveries on the insolvency of a company from £600,000 to £800,000....more
On 19 September 2019, Norris J handed down judgment in the challenge brought by six landlords against the Debenhams Retail Limited (Debenhams) company voluntary arrangement (CVA) which was approved by 94.71% of Debenham’s...more
What Is the "Rule in Gibbs"? The rule in Gibbs is a long-established common law principle in which the Court of Appeal determined that a debt governed by English law cannot be discharged or compromised by a foreign...more
Section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 continues to be a useful tool available to creditors for challenging transactions at an undervalue. Section 423 gives the English court the power to set aside a transaction (most...more
Schemes of arrangement are a well-known and familiar tool for many within M&A. They are often used to implement acquisitions of public or widely held companies or restructurings of financial indebtedness, frequently as part...more
In a decision that will be welcomed both by second-ranking secured creditors and by administrators, the Court of Appeal recently held that a second-ranking floating charge (SRFC) was still capable of being a qualifying...more
Much like the English Scheme of Arrangement which has become a popular debt restructuring solution for international debtors, the English High Court is an attractive forum for insolvency litigation thanks to the potent...more
"Don't Ruck with Us," Locke Lord’s annual Insolvency & Restructuring conference, is back, chaired by David Grant, leading Partner commended by Chambers UK for being commercial, a great negotiator and a welcome sight on a...more