Book Description

The ninth edition of Keay's Insolvency has come at a time when major insolvency reforms, foreshadowed in previous editions, have just been announced. While none of these has become law, the authors have introduced readers to the proposed changes and the considerable impact they will have on the operation of the law and the administration of insolvencies. These include the introduction of a safe harbour defence to insolvent trading, allowing more emphasis on informal restructuring, restrictions on counter-parties terminating contracts under "ipso facto" clauses, and allowing small companies to go through a streamlined liquidation process. The timing of these reforms, and their significance, is such that those studying and practicing in insolvency need to have an understanding of what is coming, which Keay will provide, even if by way of brief comment at various points throughout. Those reforms have confirmed the authors' continued and increased focus on corporate restructuring law and practice, including outside the context of formal insolvency, an on-going trend in Australia, and internationally. This edition also has new commentary on the roles and duties of lawyers acting in insolvency. PPS law and practice and further embedded in the commentary, along with cross-border insolvency, tax, banking and other related laws. The text has necessarily been updated with commentary on new and important case law, with an emphasis on decisions from the High Court and Courts of Appeals, or on decisions that add new perspectives on the law and practice. The authors have given greater emphasis to legal and insolvency practice - with references throughout to ASIC and AFSA regulatory guidance, Court rules, the ARITA Code, tax issues and forms. Useful tables have been added to explain the details in the text and each chapter now has a summary table of references to the particular parts of the legislation, regulatory guidance, and court rules. The book also cross-references to cases in the new case book, Insolvency Law - Commentary and Materials. Commentary on the statistical trends available from the October 2015 annual reports of the regulators, and other data, is explained, in particular in as far as they may support the law reform trends. The final chapter in the last edition of the text critically assessed Australia's insolvency regime. The authors stand by that commentary and have necessarily updated and added to it in light of the law reform announcements, remaining of the view that while the laws work well enough, the environment local and international environment in which they operate has significantly changed such that, while the reforms are welcomed, a wholesale review of the regime in Australia is still needed. The authors are pleased to see the recognition given to Australian insolvency law and practice through the election of Mr Mark Robinson of PPB Advisory as President of INSOL International in 2015, and of Professor Rosalind Mason, of Queensland University of Technology (QUT), as Chair of INSOL Academics. Both have contributed enormously to the development of the practice and law of insolvency both in Australia and internationally. We are very pleased to have Mark Robinson contribute a foreword to this edition of the book. Michael Murray remains a visiting fellow at the Queensland University of Technology, and is now a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, and continues to work in and contribute to the development and thinking of insolvency and restructuring law, practice and policy. Jason Harris is now an Associate Professor in Law at the University of Technology, Sydney, and continues to teach and write extensively in the area, in particular in corporate law and restructuring. Each brings his respective knowledge, experience and thoughts to this important area of law and practice.