California Business Law PRACTITIONER

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

California Business Law PRACTITIONER California Business Law PRACTITIONER Volume 25 / Number 2 Spring 2010 Introduction to California Receivership Law Shawn M. Christianson Monique Jewett-Brewster The appointment of a receiver is an often over- Shawn M. Christianson Monique Jewett-Brewster looked but exceedingly useful remedy available under is a shareholder of of MacConaghy & California law. In challenging economic times, familiarity BuchalterNemer, San Barnier, PLC, Sonoma, with receivership is a requirement for any attorney Francisco, where she specializes in insolvency specializes in insolvency, and creditors’ rights. She practicing in the commercial, creditors’ rights, or receiverships, and complex has represented secured financial services fields. litigation, representing and unsecured creditors financial institutions, in both bankruptcy and Definition of “Receiver” insurers, sureties, secured state court proceedings. and unsecured creditors, Her practice includes What (or who) is a “receiver”? Under California law, technology companies, bankruptcy, litigation, receivers and bankruptcy loan and lease workouts, a receiver is a court officer or representative appointed trustees. She received her and various provisional to take over control and management of property that is B.S. magna cum laude from remedies. Ms. Jewett- the subject of litigation before the court, to preserve the Boston College and her Brewster received her property, and ultimately to dispose of it in accordance J.D. from the University of undergraduate degree California, Hastings College from the University with the court’s final judgment. See CCP §564. As of the Law, where she of San Francisco and her set forth in Cal Rules of Ct 3.1179(a), the receiver is was on the editorial board law degree from the a neutral, disinterested agent who acts for the benefit of the Hastings Journal University of Southern of Communications and California Law School. of all who may have an interest in the property for Entertainment Law. which a receiver is requested. The receiver holds assets specifically for the court,not for the plaintiff or defendant in any action. Although there are no specific —continued on page 35 IN THIS ISSUE Introduction to California Receivership Law ................................................................................. 33 by Shawn M. Christianson and Monique Jewett-Brewster Fairness Hearings ............................................................................................................................ 44 by W. Anthony Colbert Social Media and the Law: Here Comes Everybody! .................................................................... 52 by Art Neill ® ceb.com CONTINUING EDUCATION OF THE BAR ■ CALIFORNIA © 2010 by The Regents of the University of California Reprinted from the California Business Law Practitioner published by Continuing Education of the Bar – California. The citation from this article is 25 CEB Cal Bus L Prac (Spring 2010). CALIFORNIA BUSINESS LAW PRACTITIONER Spring 2010 Introduction to California Receivership Law 35 statutory eligibility requirements for receivers, cer- action in appointing or refusing to appoint a receiver tain persons may not serve as a receiver in a given will not be disturbed in the absence of a showing case. Ineligible persons include a party, a party’s that the court has abused its discretion. Alderson v attorney, an interested person, or a relative of the Alderson (1986) 180 CA3d 450, 467, 225 CR 610. judge assigned the action in which the receiver’s The mere fact that the party requesting a receiver’s appointment arose. See CCP §566(a). appointment may have other remedies available to it does not, in and of itself, preclude use of a receiver- ship. City & County of San Francisco v Daley COURT-APPOINTED “NEUTRAL” (1993) 16 CA4th 734, 745, 20 CR2d 256. In such a To preserve neutrality before the court, the re- situation, the court is called on to consider the ceiver may not, without the court’s permission, enter “availability and efficacy” of those other remedies into any contracts that make arrangements, or set in exercising its discretion to grant the “extraordi- forth an understanding about the receiver’s role, nary” remedy of receivership. 16 CA4th at 745. with respect to the subject property following its liquidation or the receivership’s termination. To fur- ther ensure neutrality, the receiver may not enter [W]hen the receivership is commenced into contracts regarding (1) how the receiver will after judgment to carry a judgment into administer the receivership, or how much the re- effect or to preserve certain property ceiver will charge or pay for services related to ad- until the judgment can be executed, the ministration of the receivership property; (2) whom the receiver will hire to assist with administration of receiver’s function is limited to oversight the estate; or (3) what capital expenditures the re- or possession of only the property ceiver will make related to the receivership property. described in the judgment. See Cal Rules of Ct 3.1179(b). TRIAL COURT’S DISCRETION NATURE OF RECEIVERSHIP REMEDY TO APPOINT RECEIVER Receivership is often considered an “extraordi- nary” remedy, and some California courts have de- In California, the appointment of a receiver rests clined to appoint a receiver when an alternative in large measure in the discretion of the trial court remedy, such as an injunction, writ of attachment, or to which the application is made. See generally Bar- issuance of a lis pendens, may serve to protect what- ber v Lewis & Kaufman, Inc. (1954) 125 CA2d 95, ever rights the parties assert in the property that is 99, 269 P2d 929 (trial courts have “wide and broad the subject of the litigation. See, e.g., A.G. Col Co. v discretion” in appointment of receivers); Alhambra- Superior Court (1925) 196 C 604, 614, 238 P 926 Shumway Mines, Inc. v Alhambra Gold Mine Corp. (reversing trial court’s ex parte order of receivership (1953) 116 CA2d 869, 873, 254 P2d 599. Only a for corporation because parties’ rights could be fully court with jurisdiction over the proceedings at issue protected by injunction and other remedies). See has the discretion to appoint a receiver. See Mines v also Golden State Glass Corp. v Superior Court Superior Court (1932) 216 C 776, 778, 16 P2d 732 (1939) 13 C2d 384, 393, 90 P2d 75 (due to the (consent of parties is insufficient to confer court “drastic” nature of receivership, court’s discretion to with jurisdiction to appoint receiver). appoint receiver “is not an entirely uncontrolled When the evidence is conflicting or the propriety one,” and ordinarily, if there is any less severe rem- of the requested appointment on uncontradicted evi- edy available to adequately protect parties’ rights, “a dence is doubtful, the court’s sound discretion to court should not take property out of the hands of its appoint a receiver should be exercised on a review owners”); Elson v Nyhan (1941) 45 CA2d 1, 5, 113 of all of the facts. Moore v Oberg (1943) 61 CA2d P2d 474 (noting that “[r]eceivers are often legal 216, 221, 142 P2d 443 (trial judge’s discretion is so luxuries, frequently representing an extravagant cost “broad” that order to appoint receiver should not be to a losing litigant. When it appears that no reasona- reversed even if order is based on facts concerning bly certain benefit will result to one litigant, and a which reasonable minds might differ with respect to distinct disadvantage will result to another, courts need for receivership). should weigh carefully the propriety of appointing a Because the appointment of a receiver rests receiver.”). largely in the discretion of the trial court, the court’s 36 Introduction to California Receivership Law Spring 2010 CALIFORNIA BUSINESS LAW PRACTITIONER DEFINING PROPERTY one’s appointment. Receivership is both a prejudg- OF RECEIVERSHIP ESTATE ment and postjudgment collection remedy and is typically sought in these situations. Parties to con- Code of Civil Procedure §564 confers the supe- tentious partnership or corporate dissolutions also rior court with jurisdiction to appoint a receiver. See may consider seeking a receiver. John H. Spohn Co. v Bender (1937) 18 CA2d 447, The most common circumstances in which a re- 450, 64 P2d 152. Notably, however, the court does ceiver’s appointment is sought are (1) when a lender not have jurisdiction over property that is not the requests a “rents, issues and profits” receiver fol- subject of the litigation before it. The court’s power lowing a borrower’s default under a real estate loan, to authorize a receiver to take possession of certain or (2) when it is intended to ensure the orderly collateral or run a company’s business operations is winding down of a business following a party’s in- therefore limited to authorizing action against prop- ability, unwillingness, or unsuitability to continue erty of the receivership estate. Steinberg v Goldstein the business operations. Broadly speaking, these two (1954) 129 CA2d 682, 686, 278 P2d 22. Moreover, scenarios reflect the most common types of receiv- when the receivership is commenced after judgment ers appointed in California: (1) rents and profits re- to carry a judgment into effect or to preserve certain ceivers and (2) equity receivers. Each type is dis- property until the judgment can be executed, the cussed further below. receiver’s function is limited to oversight or posses- sion of only the property described in the judgment. The broadest California statute addressing the Kreling v Kreling (1897) 118 C 421, 423, 50 P 549. appointment of receivers is CCP §564, which spe- Regardless, the extent of the property subject to a cifically provides that when an action or proceeding receivership is a question that the court appointing is pending, California superior courts may appoint the receiver has the power and jurisdiction to deter- receivers in the following circumstances: mine. Only the court with jurisdiction over the in- • In an action (1) by a vendor to vacate a fraudu- stant case has the authority to determine whether lent purchase of property; (2) by a creditor to any particular property is or is not involved in the subject any property or fund to the creditor’s action and the receivership proceeding.
Recommended publications
  • Lesson 13: Dissolution, Liquidation and Extinction of Companies
    LESSON 13: DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND EXTINCTION OF COMPANIES SUMMARY: 1.-Dissolution a) Causes b) Requirements and procedure c) Advertising 2.-Liquidation a) Liquidation bodies b) Procedure 3.-Extinction 4.- Vocabulary 1.-Dissolution A company can be considered, on one hand, a contract signed by at least two people and, on the other hand, a legal person which has several legal relationships with third parties. In order to protect those third parties, as well as the company itself and its partners, the final extinction of a company should go through two different stages. The first one would be dissolution, in which the company continues to be a legal person but ceases its commercial purpose and starts the liquidation. The second one would be liquidation, in which the company compensates its credits and debts vis-à-vis third parties and distributes the corporate assets resulting from the liquidation among all shareholders. Once the liquidation procedure is finished, the registered entries of the dissolved company will be cancelled. From this moment, the company will be extinguished. CAUSES: Three different types of causes can be distinguished: a) Causes which lead to an automatic dissolution of the company (art. 360 LSC) Expiry of the term established in the articles of association of the company. In order to avoid dissolution in this case, a general meeting resolution will be required to extend the duration of the company agreement. When the company has not been converted, dissolved or its capital share has not been increased within a year after being obligated to reduce its share capital below the minimum amount established by law.
    [Show full text]
  • Company Voluntary Arrangements: Evaluating Success and Failure May 2018
    Company Voluntary Arrangements: Evaluating Success and Failure May 2018 Professor Peter Walton, University of Wolverhampton Chris Umfreville, Aston University Dr Lézelle Jacobs, University of Wolverhampton Commissioned by R3, the insolvency and restructuring trade body, and sponsored by ICAEW This report would not have been possible without the support and guidance of: Allison Broad, Nick Cosgrove, Giles Frampton, John Kelly Bob Pinder, Andrew Tate, The Insolvency Service Company Voluntary Arrangements: Evaluating Success and Failure About R3 R3 is the trade association for the UK’s insolvency, restructuring, advisory, and turnaround professionals. We represent insolvency practitioners, lawyers, turnaround and restructuring experts, students, and others in the profession. The insolvency, restructuring and turnaround profession is a vital part of the UK economy. The profession rescues businesses and jobs, creates the confidence to trade and lend by returning money fairly to creditors after insolvencies, investigates and disrupts fraud, and helps indebted individuals get back on their feet. The UK is an international centre for insolvency and restructuring work and our insolvency and restructuring framework is rated as one of the best in the world by the World Bank. R3 supports the profession in making sure that this remains the case. R3 raises awareness of the key issues facing the UK insolvency and restructuring profession and framework among the public, government, policymakers, media, and the wider business community. This work includes highlighting both policy issues for the profession and challenges facing business and personal finances. 2 Company Voluntary Arrangements: Evaluating Success and Failure Executive Summary • The biggest strength of a CVA is its flexibility. • Assessing the success or failure of CVAs is not straightforward and depends on a number of variables.
    [Show full text]
  • Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations*
    ALI CHAPTER - FMT_2.DOC 10/01/01 11:54 AM PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF FAMILY DISSOLUTION: ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS* CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTORY MATERIALS Topic 1 Summary Overview of the Remaining Chapters Chapter Two** I. The Current Legal Context The primary challenge in shaping the law that governs allocation of re- sponsibility for children is to determine how to facilitate thoughtful planning by cooperative parents while minimizing the harm to children who are caught in a cycle of conflict. Several unavoidable tensions in the law’s objectives and its de- sign complicate this task. a. Predictability v. individualized decision-making. There is a significant ten- sion in custody law between the goals of predictability and individualization. The predictability of outcomes helps to reduce litigation, as well as strategic and manipulative behavior by parents. Predictable outcomes are insufficient, how- ever, unless they are also sound. And it is difficult to imagine sound outcomes in custody cases unless the diverse range of circumstances in which family breakdown occurs are taken into account. Predictability is important, and so is the customization of a result to the individual, sometimes unique, facts of a case. Copyright © The American Law Institute (ALI). Reproduced with ALI permission from the uned- ited, unpublished final manuscript. All rights reserved. Editorial changes are possible before publi- cation. The final, official text of the Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution is scheduled to be pub- lished late in 2001. Earlier drafts in the ALI project, as well as the final text when it becomes available, may be ordered from the ALI’s Customer Service Department: www.ali.org; telephone 800-253-6397; fax 215-243-1664.
    [Show full text]
  • Company Law of China, There Were a Great Deal of Companies
    THE COMPANY LAW OF CHINA Zhao Youg Qing" INTRODUCTION The Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress approved the Company Law of the People's Republic of China (Company Law) in its Fifth Session on December 29, 1993. On the same day, the President of the People's Republic of China promulgated it, and the Company Law of China came into force on July 1, 1994. The Company Law is important because for the first time in mainland China the organization and activity of business entities are regulated. For this reason, the Company Law is the foundation of modem socialist enterprises and the market economic system. Many new companies are expected to be established pursuant to the Company Law, and many existing enterprises such as state-owned enterprises, enterprises with foreign investment, and privately owned enterprises will be reorganized under the Company Law. This will allow for the establishment of modem enterprises with clearly defined ownership rights, with articulated boundaries regarding rights and duties between government and enterprises, and with the use of scientific management techniques. The promulgation of the Company Law is also a significant step toward China's compliance with international practices, especially in the field of Company Law. I. LEGISLATION GOVERNING COMPANIES BEFORE ENACTMENT OF THE COMPANY LAW Before the birth of the Company Law, China did have some laws and regulations with respect to companies.' These laws govern only certain * Zhao Yong Qing practices law in the PRC as an attorney with the Ningbo Municipal External Lawyer Office. He is also the Vice-Director of the Ningbo Conciliation Centre of CCPIT and a member of the Zhejiang Bar Association's Foreign Law Committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Drafting Bankruptcy Laws in Socialist Market Economies: Recent Developments in China and Vietnam*
    DRAFTING BANKRUPTCY LAWS IN SOCIALIST MARKET ECONOMIES: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA AND VIETNAM* Charles Booth** I. INTRODUCTION .-- -..............--...--------- -----------. 94 II. INSOLVENCY FRAMEWORK ----.....-- -- --....--- -- 97 III. SCOPE OF THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS. ...------------ 105 A. SHOULD THE LAW APPLY TO SOEs? -------------------- 106 B. SHOULD THE LAW APPLY TO BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND SECURITIES COMPANIES? -------------------------------------- 110 C. SHOULD THE LAW APPLY ONLY TO LEGAL PERSONS OR SHOULD IT ALSO APPLY TO PARTNERSHIPS AND SOLE PROPRIETORS? -------- 112 D. SHOULD THE LAW APPLY TO CONSUMERS? ------------------- 114 IV. BANKRUPTCY ADMINISTRATION ---- --------- 115 . This article results, in part, from a research project entitled Moving from a Planned Economy to a Market Economy: The Development of a New Insolvency System in MainlandChina and its Cross-Border Impact (Ref: HKU 7167/01H), in which I was the principal investigator and which was supported by a grant from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council. It also incorporates, and follows on from, insolvency law reform work in China and Vietnam in which I have been involved. For a detailed discussion of the 2002 Draft Chinese Bankruptcy Law, see Charles D. Booth, John Lees, Henry Pitney, and Charles Tabb, Comments and Suggestions on the Draft Bankruptcy Law of the People's Republic of China, a report prepared for the International Republican Institute (Apr. 27, 2002) in connection with an insolvency law reform project advising the Finance and Economic Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. For a detailed discussion of the 2002 Draft Vietnamese Bankruptcy Law, see Charles D. Booth, Comments and Suggestions on the Draft Bankruptcy Law of Vietnam and an Overview of Recent Developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the PRC, a report prepared for the American Bar Association-United Nations Development Program International Legal Resources Center (June 2, 2002; rev.
    [Show full text]
  • Insurer Receivership Model Act
    NAIC Model Laws, Regulations, Guidelines and Other Resources—October 2007 INSURER RECEIVERSHIP MODEL ACT Table of Contents ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 101. Construction and Purpose Section 102. Conflicts of Law Section 103. Persons Covered Section 104. Definitions Section 105. Jurisdiction and Venue Section 106. Exemption from Fees Section 107. Notice and Hearing on Matters Submitted by the Receiver for Receivership Court Approval Section 108. Injunctions and Orders Section 109. Statutes of Limitations Section 110. Cooperation of Officers, Owners and Employees Section 111. Delinquency Proceedings Commenced Prior to Enactment Section 112. Actions By and Against the Receiver Section 113. Unrecorded Obligations and Defenses Of Affiliates Section 114. Executory Contracts Section 115. Immunity and Indemnification of the Receiver and Assistants Section 116. Approval and Payment of Expenses Section 117. Financial Reporting Section 118. Records ARTICLE II. PROCEEDINGS Section 201. Receivership Court’s Seizure Order Section 202. Commencement of Formal Delinquency Proceeding Section 203. Return of Summons and Summary Hearing Section 204. Proceedings for Expedited Trial: Continuances, Discovery, Evidence Section 205. Decision and Appeals Section 206. Confidentiality Section 207. Grounds for Conservation, Rehabilitation or Liquidation Section 208. Entry of Order Section 209. Effect of Order of Conservation, Rehabilitation or Liquidation ARTICLE III. CONSERVATION Section 301. Conservation Orders Section 302. Powers and Duties of the Conservator Section 303. Coordination With Guaranty Associations and Orderly Transition to Rehabilitation or Liquidation ARTICLE IV. REHABILITATION Section 401. Rehabilitation Orders Section 402. Powers and Duties of the Rehabilitator Section 403. Filing of Rehabilitation Plans Section 404. Termination of Rehabilitation Section 405. Coordination with Guaranty Associations and Orderly Transition to Liquidation ARTICLE V.
    [Show full text]
  • Post-Dissolution Liabilities of Shareholders and Directors for Claims Against Dissolved Corporations
    Vanderbilt Law Review Volume 31 Issue 6 Issue 6 - November 1978 Article 1 11-1978 Post-Dissolution Liabilities of Shareholders and Directors for Claims Against Dissolved Corporations D. Gilbert Friedlander P. Anthony Lannie Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/vlr Part of the Business Organizations Law Commons, and the Commercial Law Commons Recommended Citation D. Gilbert Friedlander and P. Anthony Lannie, Post-Dissolution Liabilities of Shareholders and Directors for Claims Against Dissolved Corporations, 31 Vanderbilt Law Review 1363 (1978) Available at: https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/vlr/vol31/iss6/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Vanderbilt Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Vanderbilt Law Review by an authorized editor of Scholarship@Vanderbilt Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Post-Dissolution Liabilities of Shareholders and Directors for Claims Against Dissolved Corporations D. Gilbert Friedlander*and P. Anthony Lannie** TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION . ................................. 1364 II. BACKGROUND: SECTION 105 AND THE TRUST FUND T H EORY ....................................... 1366 III. EXCLUSIVENESS OF SECTION 105 ................... 1370 A. Does Section 105 ProhibitPost-Dissolution Claims? ................................... 1370 (1) Post-Dissolution Claims Allowed Any Time: A Statutory Interpretation .............. 1371 (2) No Post-Dissolution Claims Are Allowed: A Statutory Interpretation ................ 1375 (3) Post-Dissolution Claims Allowed During the Two-Year Survival Period But Not There- after: The Statutory Language Ignored ... 1376 (4) Post-Dissolution Claims Allowed Against Former Shareholders and Directors, But Not Against Dissolved Corporations: The Statute's Bar Held Inapplicable to Certain Types of Cases ......................... 1376 B. Does Section 105 ProhibitTrust Fund Actions Brought After the Survival PeriodExpires? ...
    [Show full text]
  • Litigating the Suit to Set Aside a Fraudulent Transfer
    Litigating the Suit to Set 14 Aside a Fraudulent Transfer ANDREW R. SCHWARTZ THOMAS J. KANYOCK Schwartz & Kanyock, LLC Chicago I. Introduction A. [14.1] What Is a “Fraudulent Transfer”? B. [14.2] Parties to the Fraudulent Transfer Action C. The Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act 1. [14.3] Legislative Intent 2. [14.4] Prior Law II. [14.5] Types of Fraudulent Transfers A. [14.6] Fraud in Fact B. [14.7] Fraud in Law C. [14.8] Preferential Fraudulent Transfers to Insiders III. [14.9] Defenses to Fraudulent Transfer Claims A. Intent 1. [14.10] Fraud in Fact 2. [14.11] Fraud in Law B. Solvency 1. [14.12] Fraud in Fact 2. [14.13] Fraud in Law C. [14.14] Bona Fide Purchaser/Good-Faith Transferee 1. [14.15] Fraud in Fact 2. [14.16] Fraud in Law D. [14.17] Transfers for Value 1. [14.18] Fraud in Fact 2. [14.19] Fraud in Law E. [14.20] Statute of Limitations 1. [14.21] Fraud in Fact 2. [14.22] Fraud in Law F. Tenancy by the Entirety 1. [14.23] Statutory Background 2. [14.24] Initial Caselaw 3. [14.25] August 1997 Amendment to 735 ILCS 5/12-112 4. [14.26] Decisions Construing the 1997 Amendment to 735 ILCS 5/12-112 G. Family Expenses 1. [14.27] Spousal Support Obligations 2. [14.28] Family Expense Statute H. [14.29] Wages 1. [14.30] Wages Are Not Exempt in Illinois 2. [14.31] Wage Garnishment Limitations 3. [14.32] Wienco and California-Peterson 4. [14.33] Statutorily Exempt Property Is Never Automatically Exempted I.
    [Show full text]
  • Corporate Reorganisation Law Reform in China: Findings from a Province of Zhejiang
    This is a repository copy of Corporate Reorganisation Law Reform in China: Findings from a Province of Zhejiang. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/102860/ Version: Accepted Version Article: Zhang, Z and Tomasic, R (2016) Corporate Reorganisation Law Reform in China: Findings from a Province of Zhejiang. Asian Journal of Comparative Law, 11 (1). ISSN 1932-0205 https://doi.org/10.1017/asjcl.2016.3 © 2016, Cambridge University Press. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Asian Journal of Comparative Law. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. Reuse Unless indicated otherwise, fulltext items are protected by copyright with all rights reserved. The copyright exception in section 29 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 allows the making of a single copy solely for the purpose of non-commercial research or private study within the limits of fair dealing. The publisher or other rights-holder may allow further reproduction and re-use of this version - refer to the White Rose Research Online record for this item. Where records identify the publisher as the copyright holder, users can verify any specific terms of use on the publisher’s website. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. [email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ Corporate Reorganization Reform in China: Findings from an Empirical Study in Zhejiang Zinian Zhang University of Leeds, England [email protected] Roman Tomasic University of Southern Australia, Australia [email protected] Abstract In 2006, China enacted its first rescue-oriented Enterprise Bankruptcy Law with the aim of establishing its corporate rescue culture.
    [Show full text]
  • Its Effect on Ipso Facto Clauses and Other Matters
    Omnibus Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act: Its Effect on Ipso Facto Clauses and Other Matters The long-awaited omnibus Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (IRDA) comes into force on 30 July 2020. As an omnibus Act, the IRDA collates the disparate – Extending liability for wrongful trading; and provisions on insolvency, restructuring and – Permitting a liquidator or judicial manager to dissolution applicable to corporate entities and assign the right to bring an action under the individuals and consolidates them into one statute. various avoidance provisions and insolvency While the IRDA is substantially a consolidating offences to third party funders. statute preserving most of the provisions that have been collated under its ambit, it does effect a number of significant changes. One of these is Restrictions on Ipso Facto Clauses the establishment of a new licensing and regulatory Section 440 of the IRDA imposes a stay on the use framework for insolvency practitioners. Other of ipso facto clauses. This provision has however changes, in particular those relating to the provisions been crafted so that its effect has been carefully on corporate insolvencies and restructurings, are targeted to prevent a contractual counterparty also of equal, if not more, significance for enhancing from terminating or modifying a contract upon the the role of Singapore as a hub for corporate occurrence of certain trigger events only, including restructurings and insolvencies. the insolvency or restructuring of a company. The We discuss the noteworthy changes in greater impact of the drafting is that companies may be detail below. These changes include the following: incentivised to apply for restructuring via a scheme – Introducing a new stay on the use of ipso of arrangement or judicial management before a facto clauses; default has occurred under their contracts, rather than wait for the default to occur.
    [Show full text]
  • Liquidation and Insolvency
    Liquidation and Insolvency GPO8 February 2014 Insolvency Act 1986 This guidance is available in alternative formats which include Braille, large print and audio tape. For further details please email our enquiries section or telephone our contact centre on 0303 1234 500. Is this guidance for you? This guide will be relevant to you if you: • are a director or secretary of a company • act as an adviser to a company GPO8 February 2014 - Version 3.9 Insolvency Act 1986 Page 2 of 27 GBW1Liquidation and Insolvency Contents Introduction Chapter 1. General information Chapter 2. Corporate voluntary arrangements (CVA) including CVA moratoria Chapter 3. In administration’ and ‘administration orders’ - Cases beginning on or after 15 September 2003: In administration Chapter 4. Receivers Chapter 5. Voluntary liquidation Chapter 6. Compulsory liquidation Chapter 7. European cross-border insolvency proceedings Chapter 8. Frequently asked questions Chapter 9. Quality of documents Chapter 10. Further information This guide answers many frequently asked questions and provides information on completing the most commonly used filings relating to this area. The guide is not drafted with unusual or complex transactions in mind. Specialist professional advice may be needed in those circumstances. GPO8 February 2014 - Version 3.9 Insolvency Act 1986 Page 3 of 27 Introduction This guidance provides a basic overview of insolvency and liquidation proceedings and more detailed information about the documents that must be delivered to the Registrar of Companies. It summarises some of the rules that apply to corporate voluntary arrangements, moratoria, administrations, receivers, voluntary liquidations, compulsory liquidations and EC regulations. Companies House can assist with queries relating to the delivery of documents to the Registrar.
    [Show full text]
  • Receiverships in North Carolina State Courts
    Superior Court Judges’ Fall Conference October 19−21, 2015 RECEIVERSHIPS IN NORTH CAROLINA STATE COURTS Ann M. Anderson, UNC School of Government Introduction 1 Inherent Authority, Discretion, and Appeal 2 Receiverships to Protect Property Pending Outcome of Litigation 3 Receiverships of Insolvent Corporations 8 Receiverships Incident to Corporate Dissolution and Winding Up 14 Receiverships to Aid in Execution of Judgment 18 Other Statutes Authorizing Receivers in Specific Actions 22 Introduction A receiver is an individual or entity appointed by the court to “receive” a debtor’s property when the property is at risk of being lost, wasted, harmed, or devalued. The receiver’s job is to preserve and manage the property, or, in certain circumstances, liquidate the property and distribute the proceeds according to law. The receiver takes possession of the property essentially as an officer of the court and is “not appointed for the benefit of either party and does not derive…authority from either one.”1 A receivership is an ancillary remedy; the court must first have jurisdiction over an underlying action to which the property relates.2 Receiverships often are ordered in connection with a preliminary injunction restraining the defendant (debtor) from harming or disposing of the property. While courts have broad discretion to appoint receivers, receivership is considered a “harsh” remedy, to be used “only with attendant caution and circumspection.”3 The scope of a receivership will vary according to its purpose. In North Carolina, receiverships generally fall in four categories: • To preserve property or the value of property pending the outcome of underlying litigation; • To liquidate a corporation’s assets in connection with a creditor’s underlying action; 1 Wachovia Bank and Trust Co., N.A.
    [Show full text]