PART 4
February 2010
ANTECEDENT RECOVERIES – COMMON THEMES
31.4A.105 Common themes – general
Several of the provisions in the Act relating to antecedent recoveries have common themes, such as a presumption of intent for parties associated to the insolvent or the consequence of insolvency at a relevant time.
This Part of the Chapter is not designed to be read in its own right, rather it proves a reference source for other Parts of the Chapter – with appropriate links.
31.4A.106 Commencement of a winding up
Where an order is made for the winding-up of a company by the court, the winding-up is deemed to commence at the time of the presentation of the petition [note 1]. The use of the word “time” in the relevant provision of the Act would suggest that the winding-up begins at the precise time of the day that the order was made.
If the company was in voluntary liquidation prior to the making of the compulsory winding-up order then the commencement is the time when the resolution for winding-up was passed, though dispositions in the voluntary winding-up are deemed to be valid unless the court, on proof of fraud or mistake, directs otherwise.
If the winding-up follows an administration, the commencement of the winding-up is the date of the making of the administration order.
31.4A.107 Commencement of bankruptcy
A bankruptcy commences on the day on which the order is made [note 2].
31.4A.108 Inability to pay debts - companies
For a company, the circumstances in which it is deemed to be unable to pay its debts are listed in the Act [note 3]:
If there are unpaid invoices, it may be inferred that the company is unable to pay its debts [note 7].
In the case of a transaction at an undervalue (see Part 3) , where the recipient of the property is a connected party (see paragraph 31.4A.110), there is an assumption that the company was unable to pay its debts at the relevant time, unless it can be shown otherwise [note 8].
31.4A.109 Insolvency – bankruptcy
(Amended November 2011)
In a bankruptcy case, with regard to a transaction at an undervalue or a preference, the individual is considered to be insolvent if:
For transactions at an undervalue there is a presumption of insolvency, unless the contrary can be shown, where the transaction was entered into with an associate (see paragraph 31.4A.111) of the debtor (other than by reason of employment) [note 11].
31.4A.110 Connected parties (company)
Under the provisions of the Act, a person is connected with a company if:
A shadow director is defined in the Act as “a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the company are accustomed to act”. The Act goes on to give an exemption where the advice is given in a professional capacity [note 12].
31.4A.111 Associates - general
Under the definition provided by the Act, a person is an associate of an individual if that person is:
[note 13]
Additionally, a person is an associate of any person with whom he/she is in partnership, and of the husband or wife or civil partner or a relative of any individual with whom he is in partnership [note 14].
Further, a person is an associate of any person whom he/she employs or by whom he/she is employed [note 15]. A director of a company is treated as an employee of the company [note 16]. Note, though that an employee does not count as an associate for the provisions of Act relating to the presumption of desire to prefer (see paragraph 31.4A.28).
31.4A.112 Reputed husband, wife or civil partner
References in the relevant provision of the Act to husband, wife or civil partner are to be taken to include a former or reputed husband, wife or civil partner [note 17].
It has been held that the phrase ‘reputed husband, wife or civil partner’ refers to a couple who, although not married, hold themselves out to be husband and wife – for example, where the woman had taken her partner’s name as if they were married. The court has held that the phrase means the ‘habit or reputation’ of marriage and does not include couples who simply co-habit. Even if a couple are in a relationship which has all the features of a marriage, they are not considered to be ‘reputed husband, wife or civil partner’ unless they hold themselves out to be husband and wife or civil partners. [note 18]
A relative of a person is defined as “the individual’s brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal ancestor or lineal descendant”. The Act goes on to state that any relationship of the half-blood is to be considered of the full-blood and the stepchild or adopted child of a person is to be considered as his/her child. Additionally, an illegitimate child is to be considered the legitimate child of his/her mother and reputed father [note 19].
31.4A.114 Associate of a company
A company is an associate of another company if:
The relevant provisions apply to companies in countries outside England and Wales (that is, a company outside England and Wales can be considered to be connected to a company registered in England and Wales). [note 21].
31.4A.115 Control of a company
A person is considered to have control of a company if [note 22]:
Where two or more persons together satisfy either of the above conditions, they are to be taken as having control of the company.
31.4A.116 Antecedent recoveries and deceased insolvents
The provisions in the Act relating to antecedent recoveries apply to deceased insolvents (see Chapter 54) as they do to bankrupts with one small amendment. The time limits for seeking an order to recover a preference (see Part 2), or a transaction at an undervalue (see Part 3), ends not with the making of the bankruptcy petition, but with the death of the debtor.
31.4A.117 Antecedent recoveries – misconduct
Antecedent recoveries are made under civil law although the facts giving rise to such recoveries may also lead to prosecutions for criminal offences and may be considered in disqualification proceedings or as conduct befitting a BRO/BRU.
In the period leading up to the formal insolvency, persons connected with a company or the individual subject to bankruptcy may have been aware of the difficulties and impending failure in advance of creditors. It is possible that steps may have been taken to reduce some liabilities rather than others, to give some advantage over the general body of creditors or to undertake some other transaction which would put assets beyond the reach of creditors. It is necessary to consider whether any actions have been taken to subvert the equitable principles of insolvency taking into consideration when the company or individual first became insolvent or became insolvent for the last time and whether the actions adversely affected creditors generally.
Advice on the misconduct aspect of an antecedent recovery may be found in the Enforcement Investigation Guide (http://intranet/Enforcement/EnforcementTopLevel/EIGuide/homepage.htm)
[Back to Part 3 – Transactions at an undervalue]