Creditors Rights in Insolvency Proceedings: A Practical Guide for Smaller Practices

Transcription

1 BERMUDA BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CAYMAN ISLANDS CYPRUS DUBAI HONG KONG LONDON MAURITIUS MOSCOW SÃO PAULO SINGAPORE conyersdill.com November 2010 Creditors Rights in Insolvency Proceedings: A Practical Guide for Smaller Practices Introduction The BVI insolvency regime has been considered by some to be essentially a creditor friendly one. The Insolvency Act 2003 ( the Act ) and the Insolvency Rules 2005 ( the Rules ) provide the legislative framework which is largely responsible for the jurisdiction earning this characterisation. Within that framework there are a number of insolvency mechanisms available in the BVI, namely: liquidation, creditor arrangements, receivership, administrative receivership and (possibly in the future) administration. It should be noted that the administration regime under Part III of the Act, which allows insolvent companies to be reorganised and refinanced, supported by a statutory moratorium has not yet come into force and it appears that it is unlikely to be brought into force in the near future. The companies covered under the Act and Rules are companies registered under the BVI Business Companies Act 2004 and companies registered under the International Business Companies Act, which were re registered as BVI business companies on 1 January Licensed entities such as banks, trust companies and investment funds are subject to the same proceedings as BVI business companies, except for the additional requirement of notice to the relevant regulator. There are separate provisions for licensed BVI insurance companies, which we do not intend to address in this article. Before considering insolvency proceedings in the BVI, we should first consider what insolvency means, as a matter of BVI law. A company is insolvent if: (i) it fails to comply with a statutory demand; (ii) an execution or process issued on a judgment, decree or order of the BVI Court in favour of a creditor is returned wholly or partly unsatisfied; (iii) the value of the company s liabilities exceed its assets (the established

2 balance sheet test); and (iv) the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due (the established cash flow test). 1. Creditors rights before an insolvency proceeding is opened 1.1 Filing for the declaration of debtor s insolvency Court Appointed Liquidator A creditor may initiate the corporate insolvency process by serving a statutory demand on the debtor company in the sum of at least US$2,000, that being the prescribed minimum. Non compliance with the statutory demand within 14 days of the debtor being served results in the debtor company being deemed to be insolvent. This period within which the debtor can satisfy the debt or apply to the Court to have to have the statutory demand set aside is non negotiable. It cannot be extended. Recent judicial determinations have explored the extent to which a creditor who fails to challenge a statutory demand can raise arguments as to the validity of the debt at the stage when the application to appoint a liquidator is determined. In addition to the insolvency ground, a Company may also be liquidated by the Court if it is satisfied that it is just and equitable to do so, or that it is in the public interest Members Appointed Liquidator The members of a company may appoint a liquidator by a resolution passed at a properly constituted meeting of the company by a majority of 75 per cent, or if a higher majority is required by the Memorandum and Articles of Association, by that higher majority, of the votes of those members who are present at the meeting and entitled to vote on the resolution. It is important to note that a resolution to appoint a liquidator by the members of a company would be void and of no effect if: (a) an application to the Court to appoint a liquidator has been filed and served but not yet determined; (b) a liquidator has been appointed by the Court; or (c) the person to be appointed liquidator has not consented in writing to his appointment. 1.2 Choice of the insolvency representative Whilst the appointment of the liquidator is made by the Court, the applicant/creditor may propose a liquidator to the Court. In reality, the applicant always proposes the intended liquidator. That proposed liquidator must be an eligible person, that is an insolvency practitioner licensed to practice in the BVI. A notice of eligibility and Page 2 of 17

3 consent to act signed by the proposed liquidator must be attached to the supporting documentation. If there is already a creditors arrangement in place, the Court may appoint the supervisor of the arrangement as liquidator of the company. 1.3 Packaged insolvencies The concept of the pre pack is not a widely recognised one in the BVI, largely on account of the fact that most BVI Companies that are subject to restructuring are holding entities. In principle, there is, however, no objection to them, although as noted above, given the lack of an effective administration/moratorium provision, it can be appreciated that the scope for using such mechanisms is inherently more limited than might otherwise be the case. Subject to proper discharge of the duties of a mortgagee, BVI receivership offers a potential route to effecting a pre pack solution. 1.4 Cross-border insolvencies and specific country rights Whilst the BVI is not a signatory to any treaties on international insolvency, the Act has adopted the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law ( UNICTRAL ) Model Law on Cross Border Insolvency. That said, those provisions are not presently in force, and again, it is not anticipated that this state of affairs will change anytime soon. Nevertheless, the rights of creditors who reside in the BVI and those outside of the jurisdiction are the same. Once the liquidator is appointed by the Court and he has called for claims to be submitted to him, it does not matter where the debt was incurred or what law governs it. Of course whether a debt actually exists is a matter for the proper law of the debt to determine, but once the creditor has an existing debt then a claim can be made in the liquidation. Even where the assets of the debtor company are relocated outside of the BVI (as is most frequently) the case in this jurisdiction, such assets fall within the scope of the liquidator s powers. The only hurdle for him at that point is obtaining recognition of his authority abroad, but the Courts in common law jurisdictions will generally recognise a liquidator of a foreign company appointed by the Court of the place of incorporation as having the authority to administer the assets of the debtor company worldwide. If a BVI company has been wound up by a foreign court, it can nevertheless still be placed in liquidation in the BVI by either the appointment of a liquidator by the Court or by the members. It is considered that only the liquidation of the company in its place of incorporation (that is, the BVI) will generally be regarded as finally winding Page 3 of 17

4 up the company. It is of course open for the foreign liquidator to apply to the BVI courts for the recognition of his authority as liquidator. Other insolvency mechanisms specified under the Act are also available to a BVI company which is in liquidation abroad, and these regimes by themselves will not negate the foreign liquidation of the company although on a practical level, it can be anticipated that conflicts might arise as to control of particular assets. Part XIX of the Act provides a self contained regime for judicial assistance in insolvency proceedings. This allows a BVI Court to make an order assisting a foreign state s insolvency or restructuring process. It allows the foreign representatives of certain types of insolvency proceedings, that is, collective judicial or administrative proceedings in which the property and affairs of the debtor are subject to control or supervision by a foreign court (so liquidations, as understood from a BVI perspective fall within that group) that take place in designated territories to apply to the BVI courts for assistance. Countries which can take advantage of these provisions are designated by the Financial Services Commission. The representatives who can apply for such orders are persons authorised to administer the reorganisation or liquidation of the company s property or affairs or who are authorised to act as representatives of the foreign insolvency proceedings. The relief available is very wide and discretionary and the Court may, if it considers it just, apply foreign law to the relief sought. The relief that may, in the Court s discretion be granted, includes: The restraining of any proceedings or other legal process. The restraining of the creation or exercise of any right or remedy over property of the debtor. Property is defined for these purposes as property that is subject to or involved in the relevant foreign proceeding. The requirement that any person deliver up to the foreign representative any property of the debtor or its proceeds. The making of orders designed to co ordinate a Virgin Islands insolvency proceeding with a foreign proceeding. The appointment of an interim receiver of any property of the debtor. The authorisation of the examination by the foreign representative of the debtor or of any person who could be examined in a Virgin Islands insolvency in respect of the debtor. Page 4 of 17

5 The staying or termination, or the making of any other appropriate order, in relation to a Virgin Islands insolvency proceeding. There are certain specific matters the Court is required to have regard to when considering whether to grant such relief; Any such order made must not adversely affect the rights of a secured or preferential creditor. There must be just treatment of all persons claiming in the foreign proceedings. The protection of persons in the BVI that have claims against the company against prejudice and inconvenience in the processing of claims in the foreign proceeding. The prevention of preferential or fraudulent dispositions of property. The need for distributions to claimants in the foreign proceedings to accord substantially with the order of distributions in a BVI insolvency; and Comity. 2. Creditors rights aimed to meet claims (credit, titles, contracts etc.) 2.1 Filing a claim Where the liquidator of a company has sufficient funds to make a distribution, after taking into consideration the sums that may be necessary for his remuneration and the other costs and expenses of the liquidation, a notice is sent to the creditors of the company, fixing a date on or before which creditors are to submit their claims to him. A specific claim form is provided in the rules and it sets out the total amount of claim as at the date of appointment of liquidator; particulars of how and when debt incurred; details of documents by reference to which the debt can be substantiated; and particulars of any security held, the value of the security and the date it was given. It is the liquidator s responsibility to send the claim form to each creditor he is aware of at the time. The claim form must be signed by the creditor or on his behalf and returned to the liquidator. Where a creditor does not submit a claim by the date specified in the notice he is excluded from the benefit of any distribution on or after that date that is made before he submits his claim. Thereafter, when the creditor makes a late claim and it is accepted by the liquidator, the creditor is entitled to be paid, out of any money Page 5 of 17

6 available for distributing a further dividend, and he should be paid before that money is used to distribute a further dividend to creditors. It is up to the liquidator to reject or accept the claim, in whole or in part, and if he rejects it, the liquidator must provide a notice to the creditor stating the reasons for rejecting the claim. 2.2 Privileges for secured claims A liquidator will apply the proceeds of the realised assets and pay creditors in the following order: a) creditors secured by a fixed charge or mortgage out of the proceeds of the asset subject to the fixed charge or mortgage; b) the liquidator s costs and remuneration; c) preferential creditors; d) all other claims; and e) interest on claims Secured Creditors The Act expressly provides that liquidation does not affect the rights of secured creditors to enforce their security. Creditors who can establish valid retention of title and other proprietary claims will be entitled to look to their security, irrespective of the making of a liquidation order. A secured creditor may opt to either value the assets subject to the security interest and claim in the liquidation of a company as an unsecured creditor for the balance of its debt; alternatively it may choose to surrender its security interest to the liquidator for the general benefit of creditors and claim in the liquidation as an unsecured creditor for the whole of his debt. Of course it may decide to take neither route. If a secured creditor omits to disclose his security interest when submitting a claim in the liquidation of a company, he surrenders his security interest for the general benefit of the creditors Preferential Creditors Preferential claims include the following: Government Sums due to the government in respect of any tax, duty, including stamp duty, licence fee or permit; and Sums due to the Financial Services Commission of the British Virgin Islands. Page 6 of 17

7 Non government Wages and salary owing to a present or past employee that were/fell due during the period of six months immediately prior to the winding up of the company; The amount due to the BVI Social Security Board in respect of employees contributions deducted from the employee and in respect of employer s contributions payable for the six months immediately before the liquidation date; and The amount due in respect of pension contributions or contributions in respect of medical insurance payable during 12 months immediately before the liquidation date. The Act provides that so far as the assets of a company in liquidation available for payment of the claims of unsecured creditors are insufficient to pay the costs and expenses of the liquidation in accordance with the prescribed priority and the preferential creditors, those costs, expenses and claims have priority over the claims of chargees in respect of assets that are subject to a floating charge created by the company and shall be paid accordingly out of those assets. Most companies incorporated in the BVI will not be operating from within the BVI and therefore the likelihood of preferential creditors arising other than fees payable in respect of annual fees for maintenance of the company is generally low Unsecured Creditors It is a central principle of BVI insolvency law that unsecured creditors share in the assets available to them pari passu. 2.3 Continuation of contracts entered into with the debtor On the application of a person who is, as against the liquidator of a company, entitled to the benefit or subject to the burden of a contract made with the company, the Court may make an order rescinding the contract on such terms as to payment by or to either party of damages for the non performance of the contract, or otherwise as the Court considers just. Otherwise, and subject to any express contractual stipulation to the contrary, liquidation does not of itself affect the operation of any outstanding contractual obligations of or enjoyed by a BVI company. 2.4 Cross-border and specific country entitlements In relation to security interests, the proper law of the instrument that creates the security governs the right of enforcement and the legislation does not add to those Page 7 of 17

8 rights or detract from them. Certain foreign jurisdictions may impose limitations on the rights of secured creditors to enforce their security in insolvency and, if the assets over which the security is granted are situated there, questions are likely to arise as to whether the secured creditor is subject to such limitations. 3. Creditors rights aimed to monitor the insolvency proceeding 3.1 General creditors rights Creditors are entitled to file their claims with the appointed liquidator, and if a creditor s claim is not rejected by the liquidator, he is entitled to inspect the claims which have been submitted to the liquidator. Before the date of the first creditors meeting, the creditor may request and receive from the liquidator a list of the creditors of the company known to the liquidator; and any other information concerning the affairs of the company that the liquidator is reasonably able to provide. After distribution of a dividend, the each creditor participating in that dividend is entitled to receive from the liquidator a statement with respect to the company s assets and affairs, so as to enable the creditors to understand the calculation of the amount of the dividend. 3.2 Specific rights of information during the proceeding Right to Examine Court Documents There is no right under BVI law automatically entitling a creditor to obtain disclosure of documents filed in insolvency proceedings. A creditor may however under the Rules request a copy of the application from the applicant. If a creditors arrangement has been proposed or accepted, a copy of the application must be sent to the interim supervisor or supervisor appointed in respect of the arrangement or the proposed arrangement Right to be heard Once an application has been made to appoint a liquidator over a company, the applicant must advertise the application at least seven days before the hearing date. This advertisement which is placed in the newspaper and Gazette gives creditors the opportunity to file and serve a notice of intention to appear at the hearing, stating their entitlement to do so, the amount of debt owing and whether their appearance Page 8 of 17

9 will be to support or object to the application. The Act and Rules do not specify where the newspaper advertisement should appear, but in addition to a local BVI newspaper, applicants are well advised to also consider advertising in publications that appear where creditors are likely to be located. If a creditor fails to file and serve his notice on the applicant within the time frame allowed, he may seek leave from the Court to appear at the hearing for the appointment of the liquidator. The hearing of an application to appoint a liquidator is invariably held in open court to which the public are admitted, a creditor or its representative may attend the hearing; subject to the above, it may also formally appear. If the applicant proposes as liquidator the supervisor of an established creditors arrangement, the supervisor must send a notice to each creditor of the company stating that an application has been made for the appointment of a liquidator of the company and that he has been proposed to be appointed liquidator; and he must advise the creditor of the date fixed for the hearing of the application. The creditor may respond to the notice for example if he wishes to raise any objections. Claims submitted by unsecured creditors may be amended or withdrawn by the creditor at any time before the liquidator has admitted it. The Court may on application by a creditor expunge or amend an admitted claim if it is satisfied that the claim should not have been admitted or should be reduced Right to Receive Periodic General Reports The liquidator is required to prepare a preliminary report covering, to the best of his knowledge and belief the amount of capital issued, subscribed and paid up; the assets and liabilities of the company; and if the company has failed, the causes of the failure. A copy of this report must be sent to each creditor. It is not uncommon for the Order appointing a liquidator to require him to provide periodic reports on the course of the liquidation, however these tend to be reports to the Court, and not to creditors Right to Inspect Company Documents At any time after the appointment of a liquidator of a company, a creditor may make an application to the Court to grant an order for the inspection of specified books, records and documents of the company that are in its possession; other than that, there is no general right Right to Enforce Liquidator s Duties Page 9 of 17

10 If a liquidator fails to file any notice, return, account or other document, a creditor may serve a notice on the liquidator requiring him to remedy the default. If the liquidator fails to remedy the default a creditor may apply to the Court for an order that the liquidator remedy the default within such time as the Court may specify. 3.3 Approval rights not delegated to a creditors committee The creditors arrangement which will be discussed below is the only regime provided under the Act whereby any kind of acceptance of compromise agreements or proposals by the creditors can be made. 3.4 Cross-border and specific country rights (entitlements) Foreign creditors have the same entitlements as local creditors. 4. Creditors rights aimed to participate actively in the proceeding 4.1 Creditors meetings The first creditors meeting is usually called within 21 days of the appointment of the liquidator. However the liquidator is not obligated to call creditors meeting if he considers given the state of affairs of the company it is not necessary for a meeting to be held. This decision can be overturned however, if 10 per cent in value of the creditors give written notice to the liquidator within 10 days of receiving his notice, that they require a meeting to be called. A list of the creditors supporting the requisition, showing the amounts of their respective claims; and the written confirmation of each creditor on the list that he supports the requisition should accompany the notice. At this first meeting if the creditors are dissatisfied with the liquidator, they can vote to appoint someone in his place and also form a creditors committee. The quorum for a meeting of creditors is at least one creditor entitled to vote. The majority required for the passing of a resolution at a creditors meeting is in excess of 50 per cent in value of the creditors present in person or by proxy who vote on the resolution. A creditor who wishes to vote at a creditors meeting must give written notice of his claim to the liquidator and any proxy that he intends to be used on his behalf. The votes of a creditor are calculated on the value of the creditor s claim. A creditor may not vote in respect of a claim for an unliquidated or undetermined amount. A secured Page 10 of 17

11 creditor is entitled to vote only in respect of the balance, if there is any, of his debt after deducting the value of his security interest. If the liquidator or chairman of the creditors meeting decides that a creditor cannot vote for whatever reason, then the creditor may appeal to the Court to reverse his decision. 4.1 Creditors Committee Nomination A resolution to establish a creditors committee and also appointing the first members of the committee may be passed at the first creditors meeting. Where the liquidator is satisfied that a creditors committee has been validly established he must file a notice with the Court to that effect. The notice should specify the names and addresses of the persons appointed to the creditors committee. Until such time as the notice is filed the creditors committee cannot act. A person is eligible to be a member of the committee if he is a creditor and has consented to serving on the committee. If a creditor s claim has been rejected by the liquidator, he cannot serve on the committee. A creditors committee consists of at least three but no more than five individuals. The chairman of a creditors meeting should be the liquidator. The creditors committee ceases to exist on the termination of the insolvency proceeding in which it was appointed Functions The functions of a creditors committee are: (a) (b) (c) to consult with the liquidator about matters relating to the insolvency proceeding; to receive and consider reports of the liquidator; and to assist the liquidator in discharging his functions. A creditors committee may also call a meeting of creditors; require the liquidator to provide the committee with such reports and information concerning the insolvency proceeding or request his attendance before the committee to provide it with such information and explanations concerning the insolvency proceeding as it reasonably requires. A creditors committee cannot give directions to the liquidator. Page 11 of 17

12 Where a liquidator disposes of any assets of the company to a person connected with the company, he should notify the creditors committee of such disposition Voting Mechanisms A meeting is quorate if notice of the meeting has been given to all members and a majority of its members are present at the meeting. Each member has one vote and a resolution is passed by a simple majority of those members who are present and vote. The committee may agree procedures for the participation by members in meetings by telephone or other electronic means; and the passing of circular resolutions Remuneration of the Member of the Committee The members of the creditors committee are entitled to reimbursement for their expenses. The reasonable travelling expenses of members directly incurred in attending a meeting of the creditors committee shall be paid by the liquidator out of the assets of the company, or as an expense of the insolvency proceeding. Where the liquidator is of the opinion that a meeting of the creditors committee called by a member was unreasonably called he may refuse to pay members expenses. The creditors may then pass a resolution that the expenses should be paid by the liquidator out of the assets of the company, or as an expense of the insolvency proceeding. 4.2 Other forms of direct creditors participation There are no other forms of direct creditors participation outlined in the Act or Rules, although of course individual creditors may well have direct communications and dealings with the liquidator on any individual issues. There is also provision under the Act for any party who is dissatisfied with the acts or omissions of a liquidator to apply to Court for directions. We address this further below. 4.3 Rights related to reorganisation plans and proceedings Creditors Arrangement A creditors arrangement is a procedure which enables a company to compromise liabilities with creditors. It is very flexible and can vary or cancel debts; it may provide for the whole or partial cancellation of a liability of the company in return for shares of any kind or for the issue by the company, or by any other person, of a debenture or a security interest; or relate to an amendment of the company s memorandum or articles that affects the likelihood of the company being able to pay a debt or satisfy a liability. An arrangement does not affect the rights of secured or preferential creditors without their written consent. There is no moratorium on creditor rights and no Court involvement. Page 12 of 17

13 A proposal for a creditors arrangement may be made by the board on the basis that it believes the company is insolvent or likely to become insolvent or by the liquidator. If the company is being wound up, the liquidator may also make a proposal for a creditors arrangement and appoint another eligible insolvency practitioner as the interim supervisor or as is usually done, act as the interim supervisor himself. Neither the creditors nor members of a company have any standing to propose an arrangement. The interim supervisor must call a creditors meeting to consider the arrangement within 28 days of his appointment. He must prepare a written report on the proposal, and send each creditor, member and director a copy of it, along with a copy of the proposal, and a copy of the company s statement of affairs. If the creditors approve the arrangement by 75% in value of those present at the meeting, the arrangement takes effect. The arrangement then binds all creditors of the company (including dissenting creditors) and creditors who were not present at the meeting or who did not have notice of it. After the approval of an arrangement, the board or liquidator puts the supervisor into possession of the assets included in the arrangement so that he may carry out his duties, which may include: i. promptly discharging any sums due to the liquidator under the Act or the Rules; ii. providing the administrator or liquidator with a written undertaking to discharge any such sums out of the assets as soon as practicable; iii. discharging any sums due to the preferential creditors; iv. discharging all guarantees properly given, or obligations properly entered into, by the liquidator for the benefit of the company or in the course of his duties; v. paying the liquidator s outstanding remuneration. The supervisor should also keep accounting records, recording and explaining the receipts, expenditure and other transactions relating to his acts and dealings in and in connection with the arrangement, and prepare reports concerning the progress and efficacy of the arrangement. Page 13 of 17

14 If a creditor believes that an approved or modified arrangement unfairly prejudices him he may make an application to the Court to revoke or suspend any decision made approving or modifying the arrangement. Some of the drawbacks of this arrangement and factors that limit its utility is that the arrangement does not affect the rights of secured or preferential creditors without their written consent and there is no moratorium on creditor rights. There is little to no court involvement in a judicial capacity unless some difficulty or disagreement arises. The arrangement will terminate upon completion of the arrangement, at which point notice is given to the company, the members, the creditors and the Registrar of Corporate Affairs, together with a report summarising the receipts and payments. 4.4 Cross-border and specific country rights Any creditor, resident or not in the BVI, may be appointed as members of the creditors committee. 5 Creditors entitlements aimed at controlling the activities of the insolvency representative (the Court) 5.1 Means creditors have to challenge decisions and acts of the insolvency representative A liquidator, whether appointed by resolution of the members or by the Court, acts as an officer of the Court, not of the creditors. He is the agent of the company in liquidation. Any person who is aggrieved by an act, omission or decision of the liquidator may apply to the Court on that basis and the Court may confirm, reverse or modify the act, omission or decision of the liquidator. 5.2 Substitution of the insolvency representative Creditors Meeting At the first creditors meeting, the creditors may appoint a liquidator in the place of the liquidator appointed by the members. An application must then be made to the Court to sanction this decision. Page 14 of 17

15 5.2.2 Court Removal On application by a creditor, or creditors committee, the Court may remove a liquidator from office if the liquidator: (i) (ii) (iii) (i) (ii) is not eligible to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the company, breaches any duty or obligation imposed on him by or owed by him under this Act or the Rules, or fails to comply with any direction or order of the Court made in relation to the liquidation of the company; or the Court is satisfied that the liquidator s conduct of the liquidation is below the standard that may be expected of a reasonably competent liquidator, or the liquidator has an interest that conflicts with his role as liquidator Death or Resignation Where the liquidator of a company dies or resigns, an application may be made by the creditors committee to the court to appoint an eligible insolvency practitioner in his place Official Receiver Where the Official Receiver has been appointed to act the liquidator in any of the situations addressed above, he may call meeting of the creditors to have them resolve to that an eligible insolvency practitioner may be appointed in his place. 5.4 Cross-border and specific country rights (entitlements) Foreign creditors have the same entitlements as local creditors. The exercise of their controlling rights is not prohibited by their being out of the jurisdiction as many of them may appoint legal representatives to act on their behalf and keep them informed of the liquidators actions. 6 Creditors obligations 6.1 Responsibility for the remuneration of the insolvency representative Where a liquidator of a company is appointed and, at the date that the application was filed, an arrangement was being supervised by a supervisor, the remuneration of the supervisor is a first charge on the assets of the company. Page 15 of 17

16 The remuneration of a liquidator is fixed by the creditors committee, if any exists or by the Court after the conclusion of the insolvency proceeding, though interim payments may be arranged. If a creditor believes that the sum fixed by the creditors committee is excessive, he may with the concurrence of at least 25% in value of the creditors apply to the Court for an order reducing the remuneration fixed. In the event that the creditors committee fails to fix the liquidator s remuneration, or the liquidator considers that the remuneration, or an interim payment fixed is insufficient or unacceptable, he may make the same application to the Court or if no committee exists, he may make an application to the Court to fix his remuneration, or to fix an interim payment. The members of the creditors committee or the creditors, given notice of the hearing, may appear and be heard at the hearing of the application. 6.2 Funding special activities of the insolvency representative (liquidator) The creditors do not usually fund the insolvency proceedings. However in the event that the debtor company has insufficient assets to cover the costs of the insolvency proceedings, the applicant/creditor will frequently be called upon to do so, pursuant to the terms of any indemnity that it has provided to the liquidator upon his appointment. 6.3 Specific country entitlements There is no provision under the Act or Rules for the State to fund insolvency proceedings. 7 Appendix 7.1 Basic forms Mark Forté Partner +1 (284) mark.forte@conyersdill.com Page 16 of 17

17 This article is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice or a legal opinion. It deals in broad terms only and is intended to merely provide a brief overview and give general information. About Conyers Dill & Pearman Conyers Dill & Pearman advises on the laws of Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cyprus and Mauritius. Conyers lawyers specialise in company and commercial law, commercial litigation and private client matters. Conyers structure, culture and expertise enable responsive, timely and thorough service. Conyers provides clients with the highest quality legal advice from strategic global locations including offices in the world s leading financial centres in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Founded in 1928, Conyers comprises 600 staff including more than 150 lawyers. Affiliated companies (Codan) provide a range of trust, corporate secretarial, accounting and management services. For more information please contact: Naomi Little +1 (441) naomi.little@conyersdill.com Page 17 of 17