Licensing of insolvency practitioners – decision making principles from New Zealand [updated post 13 June 2021]
Mr Damien Grant, the New Zealand insolvency practitioner who successfully challenged RITANZ’s decision to deny him the right to practice as a liquidator, is now…
Why has the Australian government not yet decided on any further insolvency law changes for small business?
Australia MSE insolvency reform process seems to have halted, perhaps because of a poor reception to its January 2021 small company reforms, described as a…
Employees’ loss of FEG redundancy payments through their misguided “acts of decency and loyalty” to assist
The AAT has described its decision confirming a lack of government assistance under fair entitlements guarantee (FEG) for “two dedicated, loyal, hardworking, long-term employees of…
Service of insolvency documents by email
With law well into the process of change to accommodate electronic communications and dealings, following COVID-19 in particular, we should expect some legislative consistency and…
Peak indebtedness and other insolvency law views from New Zealand
The decision of the Full Federal Court in Badenoch Integrated Logging v Bryant[1] agreeing with New Zealand’s view about the “peak indebtedness rule” that favoured…
Deregistered companies – UK reforms and some Australian comparisons
The UK Insolvency Service is to be given powers to investigate directors of companies that have been dissolved, or in our terms, deregistered, in order…
Australia’s limited insolvency reforms for small business
With our international trading partners recently meeting to examine ways to handle micro to small enterprise (MSE) insolvency impacted by COVID-19,[1] the Australian government –…
An insolvency safe harbour based on culture and tradition?
For years Australia had no ‘safe harbour’ protection for directors from insolvent trading. In 2017, one was introduced, then three more, but a fifth has…
What is the future of insolvency practice?
The future of insolvency practice lies in artificial intelligence (AI) which this article discussed. A list of selected articles and texts on AI and insolvency…
World Bank insolvency principles – how does Australia compare?
The World Bank has released its updated Principles for Effective Insolvency and Creditor/Debtor Regimes (the Principles), emphasising the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises…
Penalties and bankruptcy
A person in breach of consumer protection laws concerning the hire of 4 wheel drive vehicles has been ordered to pay a large penalty despite…
NSW registered clubs (law) in trouble, again
What are described as the “arbitrary powers of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA)” are the subject of a recent critical comments by…
The new Attorney-General and business bankruptcies
As the new Attorney-General, Senator Michaelia Cash[1] will find her portfolio encompasses the current law reform debate about whether and for how long there should…
Move bankruptcy from the Attorney-General to Treasury?
In light of the Attorney-General’s need to transfer some matters of his responsibility, a worthy area to transfer is the law and policy of personal…
Review of the English Insolvency Rules 2016
The 2016 insolvency rules of England and Wales are being reviewed, in accord with a statutory requirement to do so by 2022. A report on…
Should a person be subject to restrictions after an insolvency?
The default period of restriction on a person following their personal insolvency is under consideration in Australia. It prompts the wider question whether there should…
A proposed change of focus of the Australian Official Trustee in Bankruptcy
The Australian Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (OT) has sought comment on a significant refocus of its legal responsibilities by way of proposing new criteria to…
Australian personal insolvency reform for COVID-19 impacted debtors
The Australian government's proposed retention of the restrictions of bankruptcy on COVID-19 impacted business proprietors and consumers is questionable, but expected. Possible reasons for this…