If your business is failing due to debts becoming unmanageable. Liquidation may be a way of restarting your company, clearing any outstanding debts, getting rid of a poor reputation, and easing unhealthy relationships with creditors.
If you are considering taking this route to close a Ltd company, there are several restrictions you need to consider, together with strict rules to follow.
These have been implemented to prevent directors from starting a new company to escape their debt and the consequences. A new business that emerges from the Liquidation of an old one with the same assets and, typically, the same directors is known as a ‘phoenix company.’
An insolvent company has two ways to carry out Liquidation, a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) and a Compulsory Liquidation.
What is a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL)?
A Creditors Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) is a formal procedure voluntarily implemented by the directors of a company deemed insolvent.
A CVL could be the only course of action if a company doesn’t have enough money to pay its debts. It is one of the most common ways for directors and shareholders to deal voluntarily with insolvency.
A CVL is typically started by directors, who agree to convene meetings of shareholders and creditors and discuss placing the company into Liquidation.
Once this course of action has been agreed upon, the company’s directors will bring in an Insolvency Practitioner (IP) to deal with the CVL.
Once appointed by members and creditors, the IP has three main objectives:
- To realise the assets of the company.
- To agree on claims of creditors of the company.
- To investigate the affairs of the company and the directors’ conduct.
A CVL is appropriate when the company is deemed insolvent and when it does not appear viable, even after restructuring.
Contact the Future Strategy team now if your company might require a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation.
What is a Compulsory Liquidation?
Compulsory Liquidation is the process used by a creditor (someone who is owed money) to force an insolvent company into Liquidation – in an effort to make it pay back that debt.
Sometimes known as winding up, Compulsory Liquidation is a procedure under the Insolvency Act and is usually led by a creditor pursuing the company for money.
A company’s insolvency usually is evident if it cannot pay its creditors on time. But, the dissatisfied creditor will first present an application to wind up the company.
It’s worth noting that even after the Compulsory Liquidation process has started, there may still be enough time to implement Creditor’s Voluntary Liquidation. However, this is initiated by the company’s directors rather than by its creditors.
Restrictions on Starting a New Company After Closing A Limited Company With Debts?
After closing an old one, an application is issued to Companies House when you start a new business.
Obviously, there are some restrictions to consider when closing a business laden with debts and starting a completely new one. Here are some factors you should think about:
1. Reusing your old company’s name
There are legal restrictions for using the same or similar name as your old business when starting a new one.
According to Section 216 of the Insolvency Act 1986, if compulsory Liquidation was used to liquidate your old company, it’s forbidden to use the same name or even something similar.
This makes it illegal for anyone who was a company director or a shadow director at any time 12 months before the Liquidation to be involved for up to five years in a company with the same or similar name.
There are, however, three exceptions to reusing a company name in this instance:
Firstly, where the new business acquires the whole, or the majority of the total of the insolvent company, as arranged by an Insolvency Practitioner (IP) acting as the liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver, or supervisor of a voluntary arrangement.
To reuse the name in this circumstance, notice must pass in two forms under rule 4.228:
- A submission must be made to the London Gazette, the official public record, within 28 days of taking on the name of the company and purchasing assets of the former company from the liquidator. This notice must clarify that you are the director of a new company of the same or similar name.
- Each creditor of the insolvent company needs to be informed that you are the director of a new company of the same or similar name.
The second exception – under rule 4.229 – involves the new business requesting permission from the Court (also known as ‘leave’) to reuse the name of the insolvent company. Before you do this, you must consider the following two conditions.
- Court ‘leave’ must be applied for no more than seven days after the Liquidation of the old business.
- ‘Leave’ will be granted by the Court no more than six weeks after this date.
The third exception – rule 4.230 – carries the following conditions.
- The company had been known by that name for at least 12 months before it went into Liquidation.
- The company must not have been placed into dormancy in the last 12 months.
2. Paying a security deposit to HMRC
If HMRC believes for any reason that there is a risk your new company may fail to pay its tax on time, it may request a security deposit – such as a fixed security payment or a bond.
If you fail to pay your taxes, HMRC will settle the balance with that security deposit. Please note that property or high-value items cannot be used for this security deposit.
3. Selling goods and assets
It is a fraudulent act to sell the assets of an old company at a price lower than their market value. However, a quick sale of assets can be carried out at a discounted price when the business is in distress.
It’s crucial that the business sale is legitimate, as creditors can later argue against selling assets at a discounted price in Court.
4. Transfer of employees
Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulation does not apply to employees who transfer from an old company to a new one due to a CVL or Compulsory Liquidation.
As a result, working hours, contract terms, and other benefits can be changed without being deemed unfair.
5. Debt guarantees
A limited company is considered a separate legal entity, so you won’t be personally responsible for your company’s debts.
However, as the director, you will be held personally responsible if you have signed a personal guarantee and the company cannot repay its debts. In addition, if you have an overdrawn director’s loan account, the liquidator may pursue you to repay it.
6. Limited Credit Accounts
If your old company had a poor credit history and rough relationships with its creditors.
In that case, it is unlikely that they will provide a credit account for your new business without putting extra security in place, such as advance payment or tighter terms.
If you believe Liquidation is the best option for your company, please contact the Future Strategy team today to find out more.
Note – You may also find this post useful to read. It looks at the process of closing your limited company with debts.
