“I have heard that in war, haste can be folly, but have never seen delay that was wise.” (Sun Tzu, The Art of War) Collecting debt from a recalcitrant debtor can feel very much like going to war, particularly if you have to slog through the trenches of a series of increasingly costly court battles. […]
Prescription, Procrastination, and Personal Liability for Corporate Debts Read More »
“Diplomats operate through deadlock, which is the way by which two sides can test each others determination.” (Henry Kissinger) Running a business with a partner can work brilliantly – until it doesn’t. When co-directors or shareholders fall out and can no longer see eye to eye, the company can grind to a halt, meaning everyone
What Can You do When a Director Deadlock is Killing Your Company? Read More »
“To be prepared is half the victory.” (Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote) Perhaps you’re a director losing sleep over the risk of losing everything if creditors sue you personally for your company’s debts because you’re asset-rich, and they can’t squeeze anything out of the company. Or maybe you worry about the company itself
Directors: Here’s How to Avoid Being Sued for Company Debts Read More »
“He who is quick to borrow is slow to pay” (Old proverb) A recent High Court decision means that, for the first time, creditors of debtor companies are specifically cleared to apply for the company’s directors to be declared “delinquent” in certain circumstances. And that has significant implications for both directors and creditors. For directors
Now Creditors Can Apply for Directors to be Declared Delinquent – Why is That Important? Read More »
Whether you are forming a new company or buying shares in an existing one, a formal shareholders’ agreement, tailored to suit your particular situation and needs, is essential. What is a shareholders’ agreement? It’s a contract between shareholders outlining the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of each shareholder, it provides a framework for the governance of
Why You Need a Shareholders’ Agreement, and How to Structure It Read More »
“… for the benefit of immunity from liability for its debts, those running the corporation may not use its formal identity to incur obligations recklessly, grossly negligently or fraudulently. If they do, they risk being made personally liable.” (Quoted in the judgment below) Particularly in hard times, it is not at all uncommon to find
“All is fair in love and war…and business is war. (Jasmine Kundra) When company directors are locked in dispute, one of them may be tempted to cut off the other’s access to emails and to the business server – a tactic likely to have immediate and serious consequences for the director thus cut off. Its
“Creditors have better memories than debtors” (Benjamin Franklin) In these hard times of pandemic and economically destructive unrest, an unfortunate number of businesses face collapse, and many will opt for the “first aid for companies” option of business rescue. Creditors coming out of that process with a shortfall (only the luckiest creditors are likely
Directors, Creditors – Do Personal Suretyships Survive Business Rescue? Read More »
“For him to be forced out of a career of choice to start working in a different field at a time when many businesses are closing down, retrenchments and lay-offs being commonplace and individual[s] doing everything possible to survive and cope with the health and economic devastating effects of the covid 19 pandemic, is plainly
Companies: Are Restraints of Trade Valid in a Time of Covid? Read More »
“…the mere exercise of majority shareholding voting rights does not amount to oppression…” (extract from judgment below) What happens when a company’s directors and shareholders fall out and cannot reconcile their differences? “Relief from oppressive or prejudicial conduct” If you should find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, our Companies Act offers you several possible
When Company Directors and Shareholders Come to Blows…. Read More »
