DFS organises Workshop to Strengthen Implementation of Reservation Policy (See 'Corp Brief') Experts from DGFT, EXIM Bank and Digital Commerce share Practical Insights with MSMEs (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Trademark registration is liable for cancellation u/s 57(2) of Trade Marks Act if it is made without sufficient cause: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Chhattisgarh emerges as First inland State to initiate Exports of Value-Added Tilapia products (See 'Corp Brief') SARFAESI - In respect of monies recoverable from a defaulting entity, the dues payable to a bank, being financial creditor, do not take precedence, over dues owed to the EPFO: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Digital Public Infrastructure is a Necessity, not a Luxury: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Payment or transaction involving company's assets during insolvency moratorium without court approval is illegal: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') RDI Fund 'Conflict of Interest' policy protected by Stringent Safeguards: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') BRICS Youth Council Meeting and BRICS Youth Summit held successfully in Gandhinagar (See 'Corp Brief') RM to hold bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart in New Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') 'Friends of MY Bharat': A New Global Youth Connect launched (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Writ remedy cannot be invoked where petitioner does not challenge any order passed by either Tribunal but merely seeks directions relating to listing, constitution of special bench & restraint on pending proceedings - costs of Rs 25000 imposed on petitioner: HC (See 'Legal Desk') HM to chair 31st meeting of Southern Zonal Council in Mahabalipuram (See 'Corp Brief') India hosts 8th BRICS Youth Energy Summit 2026 (See 'Corp Brief') Health Ministry organises Capacity Building Workshop to strengthen Leprosy Control (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Fundamental test in trade dress passing off action is one of overall impression and similarity, rather than side-by-side comparison of minor differences: HC (See 'Legal Desk') FM asks Banks to establish sustained relationship with Young customers (See 'Corp Brief') Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor: A New Highway Link to Boost Assam's Tea, Tourism and Trade (See 'Corp Brief') Historic Turnout Marks West Bengal's First-Ever Kaushal Mahotsav (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Accused has no vested or matter-of-right entitlement to conversion of non-bailable warrant into bailable warrant: HC (See 'Legal Desk') CCI approves acquisition of 23% equity of TM International Logistics by Tata Steel (See 'Corp Brief') CCI nod for addl shareholding of Acko Technology by General Atlantic Singapore (See 'Corp Brief') CCI okays acquisition of equity in Bharti Life Insurance by Prudential Corporation (See 'Corp Brief') Competition Law - Collective determination of freight rates by truck associations constituted horizontal agreement that directly determined sale prices, thereby violating Sec 3(3)(a): CCI (See 'Legal Desk') Gwalior-Chambal Region to gain New Momentum with Strengthened Rail Connectivity (See 'Corp Brief') Credit to weaker sections reaches Rs 3.49 lakh crore (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - NBFCs cannot shield themselves from liability when they allow their regulatory licenses to be used for predatory financial crimes: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Department of Youth Affairs to host BRICS Youth Council Meeting (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Only crystallised claims as on effective date are payable on pro-rata basis from designated Operational Creditors Settlement Amount: SC (See 'Legal Desk') RDDBFI - Borrowers cannot cherry-pick figures from bank certificates while ignoring standard accounting treatment of interest after NPA classification: SC (See 'Legal Desk') IPR - Holding subsequent trademark registration does not override prior court injunction protecting visual get-up: HC (See 'Legal Desk') PSB Confluence 2026 - deposit mobilisation, banking for youth & investment cycles on agenda (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Continuation of arbitration proceedings against some guarantors while statutory interim moratorium u/s 96 of IBC is in effect regarding 'debt' violates fundamental policy of Indian law: HC (See 'Legal Desk') IBC - Rights issue that does not comply with the mandatory timing and procedural requirements under company law, and which reduces majority shareholders into minority and transfers control, constitutes oppression: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') DFS highlights mechanism for Timely Redressal of Insurance Policyholders' Grievances (See 'Corp Brief') CCRAS-NIIMH signs MoU with Sevadhi Museum and Indological Research Institute for Digitization (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Second proviso to Rule 30(9) of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, acts as mandatory statutory bar, which prevents Regional Director from allowing shifting of registered office while appeal against resolution plan is pending: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Over 2 Lakh Villages, Now 'Har Ghar Jal' Certified (See 'Corp Brief') Companies Act - Assets of a company belong to the entity and its creditors, not its shareholders; transfer of company assets seemingly to place them beyond creditors' reach is impermissible: HC (See 'Legal Desk') MSDE convenes India-Japan Stakeholder Consultation to strengthen skilling (See 'Corp Brief') Competition law - Dealership termination, even if commercially harsh, does not by itself become competition law violation unless there is material showing an anti-competitive agreement causing dominance and abuse: CCI (See 'Legal Desk') Tete-a-tete around AI in banking sector often begins with algorithms (See CORP EINSICHT)

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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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