The new Financial Reorganization and Bankruptcy Code (Federal Decree No. 51 of 2023) turned heads when it was issued in 2023 (“FRBC”) as it caused a tectonic shift to the former bankruptcy regime that stakeholders and practitioners were just becoming accustomed to.
Now that the FRBC entered into effect just last month, we have received many inquiries with respect to the benefits and the overall process involved in the newly introduced ‘preventive settlement’ scheme. The new code is important for understanding bankruptcy implications.
We set out below our analysis on a set of frequently asked questions.
- What is it for? Is it helpful?
It is.
This scheme allows a debtor, under the Bankruptcy Court’s auspices, to address all creditors with a consolidated proposal aimed at restructuring or rescheduling all its debts in a centralized manner. This could greatly aid in managing and understanding bankruptcy complexities.
It is normally difficult for any debtor to implement such a uniform approach as it would have to appease and seek the consent of all competing creditors who are probably concerned with their individual interests and whose claims naturally differ and sometimes even conflict with each other in terms of their size, form or due date.
The preventive settlement scheme seeks to alleviate some of this difficulty.
- Restrictions on business operations? Does the Court appoint a Trustee?
No.
The debtor’s business can continue ‘business as usual’, except that no decisions can be made if they lead to prejudicing the creditors’ interests. Any acts falling outside the ordinary course of business would need to be sanctioned by the Court. This ensures the bankruptcy proceedings are fair to all parties.
Having said that, the Bankruptcy Court may decide to specifically prohibit some decisions or acts from being taken, and in any event, one must be mindful of Article 223(1) which generally states that the debtor is not permitted to make payments of any debts once the preventive settlement proceeding begins.
Article 223(2) states the debtor may obtain permission from the Bankruptcy Court to pay employee salaries, vendors and other operational expenditures that are imperative for the continuation of the business.
- Moratorium?
Yes.
Once the application is accepted, a moratorium on judicial claims also takes effect for a period of three months starting from the date of the decision to initiate the preventive settlement proceeding. The moratorium period is crucial in the context of bankruptcy protection.
This is extendable by way of a Court decision on a month-by-month basis but is limited to six months overall.
- Would secured creditors be able to enforce on their collateral?
Yes.
Similar to the older law, the FRBC allows a secured creditor to obtain permission to enforce on their security despite the moratorium.
This may be contested by the debtor or any other creditor if the pool of creditors’ interests summon the need for all or some of the debtor’s assets (including that security) be sold together as a going concern. Such disputes are an integral part of understanding bankruptcy cases.
- Who prepares the preventing settlement proposal and who votes on it?
The debtor prepares it while the ordinary / unsecured creditors vote on it – but certain exceptions can be applied to allow a secured creditor to vote.
The minimum threshold of votes must be equivalent to more than two-thirds of the liabilities represented at the meeting.
- What should the proposal look like?
This is generally left to the free will of the parties to decide on. The proposal can therefore contemplate any financial solutions deemed acceptable to the majority vote. Adhering to the protocol ensures compliance with bankruptcy regulations.
The performance of the debtor’s obligations under the preventive settlement plan can also be secured with collateral (guarantees, mortgages, pledges, assignments, etc.).
- What happens after the majority vote is achieved? Is it binding on the opposing creditors?
If the proposal is approved by majority vote, the debtor will submit it to the Court within ten business days for ratification.
The Court must then verify that the creditors were given enough time and information to review the proposal, that the voting standards provided for in the FRBC were honoured, and that it is fair to all creditors situated in comparable positions. Binding agreements are a significant aspect of the bankruptcy process.
Upon ratification, the preventive settlement plan is binding on all the creditors, whether they voted ‘yea’ or ‘nay’.
- What if the majority vote is not obtained?
The the Court will declare the failure of the preventive settlement proceeding.
Moreover, if it is seen that the debtor’s financial status warrants a restructuring or bankruptcy, it may declare such.
The rules governing restructuring and bankruptcy schemes differ than those of a preventive settlement and should therefore be examined separately. Each process provides distinct approaches to managing insolvency proceedings.
We hope the above was helpful and please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on any insolvency queries which you might have.
Legal Guidance
For assistance in navigating the complexities of the UAE Bankruptcy law or the FRBC preventive settlement scheme, feel free to seek legal guidance from Ali Dakhlallah. You can reach him at ali.dakhlallah@habibalmulla.com.
