What are the reasons that can be given for a debtor not complying with a statutory demand? What are the defences? Can they avoid liquidation at a High Court winding up proceeding? Section 289 of the Companies Act 1993 enables a creditor to issue a statutory demand to a company for a debt that is both due and payable. Issuing such a demand is a significant step that warrants careful consideration. If the indebted company fails to comply with the statutory demand within 15 working days, it is assumed to be insolvent. Consequently, the creditor may apply to the court to initiate the process of liquidating the company, which entails engaging a lawyer to serve a notice for winding up…

Accepting an informal instalment arrangement for a debt that is owing to you instead of being paid on trade terms is not obligatory, giving you the discretion to evaluate the situation before making a decision. However, it's crucial to assess both the potential advantages and the associated risks. If a debt is owing and not being paid there are common courses of action such as negotiating an agreeable solution and instalment plan, issuing a statutory demand, enforcing a judgment, engaging a debt collection agent, mediation, caveats (where there is a caveatable interest), lodging a report with credit agencies etc. There are benefits and risks to most options. We discuss the informal arrangements here. Risks of Accepting an informal Instalment Arrangement:…

In our 35th Insolvency by the Numbers, we look at our data set for September 2023 and past years to see how the month has tracked and what may be coming up in the coming months. With September coming to an end, we are in the last two weeks of NZ’s latest election campaign. As predicted it has been a month of promises and debates from all parties. Unsurprisingly like with a lot of our past elections there is a level of uncertainty across all markets from housing, the economy and the stock market. The September OCR announcement once again saw no change to the rate, however heavy emphasis was given to the idea that we may be in line…

Running a business is a rewarding venture, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the most critical challenges a business can face is the threat of insolvency. Insolvency refers to a situation where a company is unable to meet its financial obligations and pay off its debts when they become due. If left unaddressed, insolvency can lead to the collapse of the business, affecting not only the company's owners and employees but also suppliers, creditors, and other stakeholders. We discuss some key warning signs that indicate when a business is in serious danger of insolvency and what actions can be taken to address the situation. Key Warning Signs indicating a serious danger of Insolvency 1.…

In business, companies often experience fluctuations in performance and face various challenges. However, distinguishing between temporary setbacks and a persistent decline is crucial for business owners and stakeholders. Recognizing the early warning signs of a company in decline allows for timely intervention and strategic decision-making. In this article, we will explore key indicators to identify a company in decline, ranging from business performance and staff morale to reputation, market perception, financial distress, and cash flow crisis. Key indicators to identify a company in decline 1. Business Performance: One of the most evident signs of a company in decline is a consistent decline in business performance. This decline can manifest through decreasing sales revenue, declining profits, eroding market share, or diminishing…

Directors and Liquidators both have rights and duties following a formal liquidation appointment. We address the rights and duties of directors in this article. Rights of Directors following a Liquidation: 1. Right to Information: Directors have the right to access information and records about the liquidation process and the company's financial affairs. This includes access to the liquidator's reports, financial statements, and other relevant documents. 2. Right to Participate: Directors may participate in meetings of creditors and have the right to raise questions or concerns about the liquidation process. 3. Legal Advice: Directors have the right to seek legal advice and representation to protect their interests and understand their obligations during the liquidation process. Duties of Directors to the Liquidator:…

A liquidator in New Zealand is appointed to wind up the affairs of a company that is insolvent or otherwise unable to pay its debts. Liquidators can also be appointed to solvent companies for formal closure. The liquidator's role is to realize the company's assets, distribute them to creditors, and ultimately dissolve the company. There are key rights and powers typically granted to liquidators in New Zealand: 1. Investigation Powers: Liquidators have the authority to investigate the company's affairs, transactions, and financial records to determine the company's financial position, assets, liabilities, and any potential wrongdoing. 2. Recovery and Collection: Liquidators can recover and collect assets that are part of the company's estate, including pursuing legal actions to recover funds owed…

Navigating Financial Difficulty: Essential Steps for Companies in Crisis Business is unpredictable. Even the most successful companies may find themselves facing financial difficulty at some point. Whether due to economic downturns, industry disruptions, or internal challenges, financial distress requires prompt and strategic action. In this article, we will explore the steps a company should take when encountering financial difficulty, encompassing a review of the big picture, operations, cost-cutting measures, tax management, and cash flow. Additionally, we will discuss the concept of company compromise (Part XIV of the Companies Act 1993) as a means to protect a viable business. 1. Review of the Big Picture: When a company encounters financial difficulty, it is essential to step back and take a comprehensive…

Company Insolvencies – Liquidations, Receiverships, and Voluntary Administrations Company insolvency appointments for July 2023 combined across all insolvency types have come in just under 2019 levels. Court liquidations remain a driver for these increased levels. This increase is following continued strong winding up applications driven by the IRD and its recovery efforts. As a percentage share of appointments, the figures have remained consistent from last month. Total corporate insolvency figures for the year to date continued to sit just behind 2019 figures. The slower start to the years insolvency appointments has yet to be recovered from. While court liquidations have dropped slightly as an overall percentage they still remain above their long team average so remain a large portion of…

In corporate insolvency, two common terms often arise: liquidation and receivership. For businesses facing financial distress in New Zealand, it is helpful to understand the distinctions between these two processes. To gain an understanding we explore the disparities between liquidation and receivership, shedding light on their respective implications and outcomes. Liquidation: The Dissolution of a Company Liquidation, also commonly referred to as winding up, is a formal process that leads to the dissolution of a company. It is typically employed when a company is no longer able to pay its debts and is deemed insolvent. It is also used by solvent companies that have made capital gains and seek to distribute the capital gain tax free on liquidation. The objective…

Company Insolvencies – Liquidations, Receiverships, and Voluntary Administrations Company insolvency appointments for June 2023 combined across all insolvency types have beaten out all past years shown in the above graph back to 2019. Court liquidations have been a driver for these increased levels showing the highest figures since prior to 2020 with 59 appointments. This increase is following a number of months or stronger than usual winding up applications lead in part by IRD and its recent drive to collect delinquent debtors. Whether this level of court appointments will continue into the election only time will tell what IRD does, or if shareholder appointments will continue to grow due to an ongoing cost of living crisis and general price increases.…