Wow! 7.8% growth but it also does not reveal many things! (See CORP EINSICHT) India, Germany sign Joint Declaration of Intent on environment conservation (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - If foreign decree from reciprocating territory remains substantially unsatisfied, and judgment debtor and his family exercise pervasive control over multiple business entities, decree holder is entitled to protection of its interest through appropriate security: SC LB (See 'Legal Desk') Advisor to PM reviews Development Initiatives at Belgaria and Karmatand Townships (See 'Corp Brief') Invest in R&D while fostering partnerships to become global enterprises: RM (See 'Corp Brief') SARFAESI - Attachment of entire subject property cannot be sustained in absence of material showing direct nexus between property & investors' funds involved in criminal proceedings: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Ministry of Coal Holds Preparatory Meeting for Special Campaign 6.0, Reaffirms Commitment to Cleanliness and Efficiency (See 'Corp Brief') PBPT - Per Section 2(26), initiating officer must establish that benami amount was either converted into another form or integrated into general business assets of beneficial owner beyond demarcation before attaching substitute properties: Tribunal (See 'Legal Desk') India must build Future-Ready Workforce for a Global Automotive Industry: Kumaraswamy (See 'Corp Brief') Union Minister to launch fisheries Infrastructure projects worth Rs 36.49 Crore (See 'Corp Brief') Nadda reviews Progress of Rural Health Training Centre, Najafgarh (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - If plaintiff holds registered trademark rights and shows prima facie prior adoption and use, defendant's use of identical mark for identical hospitality & restaurant services is sufficient to justify interim injunctive relief: HC (See 'Legal Desk') 4th Indo-German Environment Forum to be held in New Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') ICAR-IIOR to host Industry Interface to Accelerate Commercialization of Oilseed Technologies (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Arbitral award immune to interference merely because alternative interpretation of facts or contractual terms exists; cannot be quashed where award is plausible, logical & free from patent illegality, perversity, or conflict with public policy: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Manohar Lal directs Fast-track Project Implementation & Strengthening of Swachhata (See 'Corp Brief') MSDE in collaboration with UP Govt organises PM-SETU Industry Conclave in Lucknow (See 'Corp Brief') MoS holds interaction with delegation of Armed Forces HQ Association (See 'Corp Brief') NBA disburses Rs 5.68 Crore in Benefit-Sharing Funds for Biodiversity Conservation (See 'Corp Brief') Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal Leads 4th India-Argentina JTC Meeting (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Sale certificate issued by liquidator under insolvency proceedings in respect of property sold by public auction is not compulsorily registrable: HC (See 'Legal Desk') CBN seizes 66.80 lakh psychotropic tablets in major inter-state pharmaceutical diversion case (See 'Corp Brief') Acquire knowledge, question injustice through constitutional means: RM tells youth (See 'Corp Brief') Empowering mother can enable early identification of disability in child: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') MoS lays Foundation Stone of PMGSY Roads Worth Rs 1,503 Crore in Jammu (See 'Corp Brief') Companies Act - Corporate name change is merely alteration of MoA that preserves company's continuous legal identity, rights, liabilities & obligations without creating a new entity or dissolving the old one: HC (See 'Legal Desk')

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The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC)

Published: Apr 20, 2017

FEATURES AND INSTITUTIONAL SETUP

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) was passed by the Parliament on 11 May 2016, received Presidential assent on 28 May 2016 and was notified in the official gazette on the same day. IBC aims to consolidate and amend the laws relating to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner for maximization of value of assets of such persons, to promote entrepreneurship, availability of credit and balance the interests of all the stakeholders including alteration in the order of priority of payment of Government dues and to establish an Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

This act has an overriding effect on multiple laws for the recovery of debts and insolvency and liquidation process like Chapter XIX & Chapter XX of Companies Act, 2013, Chapter XIX & Chapter XX of Companies Act, 2013, RDDBFI Act, 1993, SARFAESI Act, 2002, SICA Act, 1985, The Presidency Towns Insolvency Act, 1909, The Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920, Chapter XIII of the LLP Act, 2008 .

All these laws were inadequate to provide a single clearance or single window resolution system and many a time authorities with different jurisdiction and agencies overlapped and resulted in delayed case solving process and further complexities.

This article covers the key features or requirement of Act and framework of Act.

Key features of the IBC are:

• The code would have an overriding effect on all other laws relating to Insolvency &Bankruptcy. This code includes all persons including corporate, individuals, partnership firms and LLPs as well, however it shall not be applicable to corporate persons who are regulated financial service providers like Banks, Financial Institution (FIs) and Insurance Companies .

• IBC aims at consolidating all existing insolvency related laws as well as amending multiple legislation including the Companies Act. The code has replaced multiple laws covering the recovery of debts and insolvency and liquidation process and provides single window clearance to all the matters pertaining to insolvency and bankruptcy and applicant gets the appropriate relief at the same authority unlike earlier position of law where laws and authorities overlapped each other.

• The code aims to resolve insolvencies in a strict time-bound manner - the evaluation and viability determination must be completed within 180 days. The code provides fixed time frame for insolvency matters for companies and individuals. The process is to be completed within 180 days (Moratorium period) and will be extended by 90 days more. So the matters have to be resolved in not more that 270 days. Also there is a fast-track resolution process for corporate insolvency in 90 days and if it cannot be resolved assets of borrower can be sold in order to repay the creditors.

• Insolvency professionals to take over the management of the Company. IBC proposes a paradigm shift from the existing ‘Debtor in possession' to a ‘Creditor in control' regime.

• There is a simple and clear Framework of authorities under the Act. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) will adjudicate insolvency resolution for companies and Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) will adjudicate insolvency resolution for individual.

• Sets clearly order of priority at the time of liquidation i.e.

• Insolvency related costs

• Secured creditors and workmen dues up to 24 months

• Other employee's salaries/dues up to 12 months

• Financial debts (unsecured creditors)

• Government dues (up to 2 years)

• Any remaining debts and dues

• Equity

Institutional Setup under IEC

The Act provides a time bound process for speedy disposal of the matters and for maximization of value of assets, promotes entrepreneurship, improves ease of doing business and also protects the interest of workman and employees. It provides a base to create a good environment for business and benefit to all. The Implementation of any law not only depends on good framework of law but also on effective and efficient functioning of institutions involved in the administration and execution of the same. The IBC is based on five pillars and they are:

IBB - Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India- This is the apex body for regulating, promoting transparency & governance in the administration of the IBC; will be involved in setting up the infrastructure and accrediting IPs & IUs; also perform legislative, quasi-judicial function with respect to IPs & IUs and IPAs.

IUs - Information Utilities: This is the centralized depository of financial and credit information of borrowers; would collect, collate and disseminate financial data provided by creditors.

IPs - Insolvency professional - The persons enrolled with IPA and regulated by Board and IPA will conduct resolution process; to act as Liquidator/ bankruptcy trustee; appointed by creditors and override the powers of board of directors. The role of IP includes a wide range of function which includes adhering to procedure of law, accounting as well as finance related functions.

Adjudicating authority (AA) - This would be the NCLT for corporate insolvency; to entertain or dispose any insolvency application, approve/ reject resolution plans, decide in respect of claims or matters of law/ facts thereof.

IPA - Insolvency Professional Agencies - This is registered by the board and shall enroll IPs as its members in accordance with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 read with its regulations.

Conclusion: The IBC is not only a well-drafted law but also has a strong institutional set up.

(Author is a Practicing Company Secretary)

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