It is critical to the operation of bond markets that ultimate account holders bringing liquidation proceedings against bond issuers are given only limited recourse to issues. One recent BVI decision, in which it was held that accountholders have standing as contingent creditors to present a winding-up petition against the issuer, unexpectedly stretches those limits. This article examines whether that decision is correct.
12 January 2025This article examines most-favoured nation clauses (MFNs) in private credit facility agreements in recent years with a particular focus on how MFN clauses are typically calculated and the scope of the carve-outs which often feature in such clauses.
12 January 2025An essential ingredient of an unjust enrichment claim is that the enrichment be “at the expense of” the claimant. In a typical case where the claimant transferred value to the defendant directly, the requirement is obviously met. Where however more than one transaction and/or entity is involved, the analysis will have to be more carefully considered. Terna Energy Trading DOO v Revolut Ltd [2024] Bus LR 1401 (Comm) provides much-needed clarification here, offering analyses in terms of an agency relationship and a series of co-ordinated transactions. Singapore and Hong Kong both adopt a very similar – if even slightly broader – approach.
12 January 2025In this article the authors consider how an English court might view a US-style liability management exercise which: (i) relies on the consent of a majority of creditors within a class to bind a minority within that class; and (ii) treats dissenting creditors less favourably than assenting creditors.
12 January 2025The long-standing controversy of whether a bank (or other agent) is “enriched” by receiving a payment into its customer’s account, where the receipt gives rise to a corresponding liability to the customer, should arguably now be treated as settled at High Court level, but would benefit from appellate consideration.
12 January 2025Part 26A, introduced into the Companies Act 2006 by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA), is an important tool to assist companies in financial difficulties, building on the Pt 26 scheme of arrangement. Part 26A contains a relatively thin set of statutory provisions that leave a great deal to be fleshed out by the courts. Judges have risen to the occasion and have begun to develop a structured approach to Pt 26A cases. There are, however, some difficult issues that are emerging in the process. This article aims to pull together a shopping list of these issues, to promote conversation among scholars, practitioners, and policy makers about the way forward.
25 November 2024In this article Michelle Gilmore-Parry explains how the asset sales covenant in top-tier European leveraged financings has evolved and discusses the key considerations for lenders when reviewing the asset sales covenant and related definitions in leveraged finance documentation.
24 November 2024In this article Nik Yeo discusses how the recent detailed judgment in D’Aloia v Persons Unknown & Bitkup clarifies and extends some previously established contractual and proprietary principles in relation to liability of crypto exchanges to victims of crypto fraud.
24 November 2024There has never been a more uncertain time for consumer and motor finance firms. There are more and more challenges to the ways in which this multi-billion-pound market operates. These come from consumers, the Financial Conduct Authority, the court and the Financial Ombudsman Service. Firms could be forgiven for feeling they are in a never-ending game of Russian roulette with each actor taking their respective spin of the revolver. So, it begs the question, who is going to come out on top and, ultimately, who is in charge?
24 November 2024
The registration of charges granted by UK Companies and LLPs at Companies House is a crucial step in securing their validity and the priority of security interests over the assets of a chargor. However, the strict 21-day filing deadline under the Companies Act 2006 leaves little room for error or delay, including in the event of an IT systems outage affecting the electronic filing services provided by Companies House of third-party portals.
In this article, the authors examine some of the recent incidents that have highlighted the potential vulnerabilities of electronic filing and offer some practical tips and considerations for parties with an interest in a charge in the event there is an IT outage during the period allowed for the registration of a charge.