Feature

Drop downs and up-tiers in English law loan documentation

Over the past few years there has been a focus on whether loan documentation can be used to create additional priority debt, often as a result of transactions that were not anticipated by incumbent lenders. Various labels have been attached to these types of transaction, with the following becoming common currency: “drop down” and “up-tiering” transactions. While they have different component parts, they result in participating creditors gaining a priority position viz-à-viz other creditors in the borrower’s capital structure. A number of articles discussing aspects of these transactions have been circulated by market participants and the LSTA has published a very helpful market advisory on drafting for New York law credit agreements. This article takes a look at these topics in English law documentation.

Distressed insurers: recent insolvency reforms and future resolution framework

In this article the authors consider the changes introduced by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 to enhance the insolvency framework and tools available in relation to distressed insurers – and the proposed new UK Insurance Resolution Regime which is intended to provide the Bank of England with enhanced powers to manage the failure of systemically important insurers.

Welcome clarification from the DIFC Court on the amendments to the UAE Federal Banking Law

In this article, Zoe O’Sullivan reviews the recent decision of Punjab National Bank v Shetty (CFI No. 079/2020, 19 January 2024) issued by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Court (and comments on its implications for financial institutions established in the DIFC).

Hedging risk-free rates

Creditor beware: proving for debts in limited recourse loans following Lendy

SFDR Commission Q&As: more Qs than As

On 26 July 2021, the European Commission published Q&As under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) with the aim of clarifying certain aspects of the regime. However, as we consider below, the Commission’s feedback in the Q&As has given rise to more questions than answers.

Converting fiat money into cryptoassets over a blockchain: what new laws and regulations are required?

When real money is converted into cryptocurrencies, such transactions do not fit into established financial services regulation. This is the case whether analysing the UK, Sweden, Singapore or any other leading FinTech jurisdiction. After clarifying the difference between fiat money and cryptoassets, this article explains why distributed ledger technology (DLT) does not fit into existing regulations, such as MiFID governing trading venues. Nor do other existing financial regulations sufficiently protect consumers. Alternative solutions are proposed in the form of new financial services law focused on crypto exchanges, DLT and wallet providers.

A review of private credit in the immediate wake of COVID-19

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, private credit institutions emerged as being able to offer flexible financing solutions on short timeframes when compared to more heavily regulated banks. Traditional bank lending inevitably had slower processes and more limited scope to support nuanced credits. The strengths of the private credit model may well permit those institutions to advance their position further in the post-pandemic landscape. Whilst all private credits funds have as their objective a strong economic return, the context of each investment will determine the optimal approach each institution will employ to achieve that result.

The Lehman litigation: the waterfall keeps falling

In Lehman Brothers Holdings Scottish LP 3 v Lehman Brothers Holdings Plc (In Administration) [2021] EWCA Civ 1523, the Court of Appeal determined the priority of competing subordinated claims over the £800m to £1bn available in the distributing administration of LB Holdings Intermediate 2 Ltd and considered the common law position regarding part payment of a debt by a surety, as well as the rule against double proof.

Please release me, let me go: complexities in release provisions