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It’s not your money: director refused access to company’s frozen funds

By Andrew Hack, Solicitor, and Stephen Mullette, Principal, of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers, in our Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group.

As an interim measure to recovering a debt, creditors may seek freezing orders against debtors where they feel there is a risk that the defendant will dissipate its assets so as to avoid orders. Litigants will usually be allowed limited access to frozen funds so as to fund the litigation they are involved in as well as pay for their reasonable living expenses. [...]  READ MORE →

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COVID-19 –What Debt will Scuttle Passage to the New Safe Harbours?

By Ellen Ferris, a Solicitor in Matthews Folbigg’s Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group.

Amendments in March of this year have brought about changes to the Corporations Act 2001 which allow for an additional temporary safe harbour to protect directors from insolvent trading, –  see our blog here.

However, companies do not automatically qualify for the protection. To qualify, the debt must be incurred as follows:

  • In the ordinary course of the company’s business;
  • During the six month period starting from the date the new law commenced (being 24 March 2020); and
  • Before any appointment of an administrator or liquidator.

The evidentiary burden of proof is on the person seeking to rely on the safe harbour relief, which means that it will be up to directors to make sure they obtain and keep evidence that their debt meets the criteria. [...]  READ MORE →

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Insolvent Trading Advice for Clients Affected by COVID-19

By Ellen Ferris, a Solicitor in Matthews Folbigg’s Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group

In the current climate, many accountants may have clients experiencing financial distress, including directors seeking advice on how to avoid personal liability for trading whilst insolvent.

What advice should accountants be giving their clients in this environment? What advice do directors need to hear?

Insolvent Trading – The Danger

Firstly, it is important to understand how the law defines insolvent trading. The law defines insolvency as an inability to meet debts as and when they are due and payable. Insolvent trading, in simple terms, relates to debts incurred whilst a company is insolvent. [...]  READ MORE →

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Employer and Director Heavily Fined

The Federal Circuit Court has relied upon the recently-introduced “protecting vulnerable workers” legislation to impose a heavy penalty on a company and its director who underpaid an apprentice employee and failed to keep time and wages records.

The new “protecting vulnerable workers” legislation:

  • increased penalties by up to 10 times for serious contraventions
  • strengthened the Fair Work Ombudsman’s evidence gathering powers
  • reversed the evidentiary onus in underpayment claims where employers fail to make and keep time and wages records
  •  [...]  READ MORE →