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Extension of Moratorium on Commercial Possessions

On 16 September 2020, the Government confirmed that it is extending the moratorium on commercial possessions until 31 December 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-support-to-stop-business-evictions-this-year? Landlords should make sure they protect their rights to recover rents and other fixed charges from former tenants and guarantors who have liabilities under Authorised Guarantee Agreements by serving notice pursuant to section 17 […]

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New Insolvency Practice Direction and Winding-up Petitions

The Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Robert Buckland MP, Secretary of State for Justice, has approved and signed a new Insolvency Practice Direction (“IPD”), which came into force on 3 July 2020, and an amendment to the Insolvency Proceedings Practice Direction 2018. The IPD and amendment to the Insolvency Proceedings Practice Direction 2018 primarily deal […]

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COVID 19 – Temporary restrictions on landlords

On 23 April 2020 the Government announced a temporary ban on landlords using statutory demands (made between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2020) and winding up petitions (presented from Monday 27 April through to 30 June,) where “a company” cannot pay its bills due to coronavirus. The measures will be included in the Corporate […]

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Aggressive action by landlords for non payment of rent

New legislation that stops forfeiture Most standard commercial leases include a right of re-entry which entitles the landlord to forfeit the lease in the event of a default by the tenant, including non payment of rent. Typically, the landlord will be allowed to re-enter the property if the rent is unpaid for 14 or 21 […]

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Witness statements – changes from today

Insolvency Practitioners and others should be aware of a number of changes to the format and content of witness statements that are effective from today. Any witness statements signed from today onwards need to be in the new format. The latest amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules bring in changes to both witness statements and […]

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An increased need for validation orders?

The Court has recently published procedures that it will follow for upcoming hearings including winding up petitions. Further to our recent bulletins, although the Courts will still be trying to deal with some winding up and bankruptcy petitions by Skype or telephone many will still be adjourned. One possible consequence of the lengthy adjournment of […]

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Winding up petitions no longer being adjourned

It has been confirmed that the Insolvency & Companies Court has adapted rapidly to the existing emergency situation and now intends to progress winding-up cases remotely, so far as possible, rather than continuing to adjourn them. The court has increased and improved the ways in which audio and video technology can support hearings. Currently, individuals […]

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Emergency changes to UK insolvency law – update

On 28 March 2020, Alok Sharma, the UK Business Secretary confirmed that the Government will be introducing new insolvency laws to reduce the burden on businesses and give them breathing space during COVID-19 outbreak. Although full details of the new legislation are awaited in the coming days, it has been confirmed that the legislation will […]

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Emergency changes to UK insolvency law?

The impact of COVID-19 on businesses and individuals is already enormous. There has been a huge reduction in demand for non-essential goods, hospitality and transportation. Recent days have also seen plunging capital markets, the potential for companies to ‘furlough’ employees and a slowdown of international trade transactions. Not surprisingly, there is the looming prospect of […]

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Block Adjournment of Winding up Petitions

On 23 March 2020, Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Mullen set out the Court’s emergency response to managing winding up hearings during the COVID-19 lockdown. Upon considering the current situation it was decided that the general winding up list cannot presently be conducted remotely. The court ordered, by the courts own motion, that existing winding-up […]

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Insolvency Courts – Emergency working practices

Overview COVID-19 has already caused significant disruption and uncertainty in the legal sector, but how is it going to impact on the operation of the courts and tribunals? Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC, in his official statement on 18 March 2020, stated that it was “essential” that courts remain open and continue to deliver justice. […]

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Can a creditor sue a company that has filed a Notice of Intention to Appoint an Administrator?

Administration is a formal procedure in which an insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs in the interest of creditors with the goal of restructuring the business or realising its assets. Administration is commonly used by companies to buy a breathing space to try to rescue their businesses. There are several routes into […]