There is growing concern across CEE about a potential wave of insolvency and restructuring proceedings. Given the economic aftermath of COVID-19, combined with the impact of rising inflation and interest rates, the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, the road ahead seems bumpy at best. Tsvetan Krumov, Co-Head of Restructuring & Insolvency at Schoenherr Bulgaria, discussed with fellow CEE lawyers if an increase in insolvency and restructuring proceedings is to be expected in the region in 2023, as well as the current legal landscape with regard to the potential increase in such work.
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restructuring & insolvency news
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Read through our restructuring & insolvency experts' articles and publications:
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newsletters (42)
publications (11)
media coverage (6)
events (3)
press releases (8)
roadmap (26)
media coverage
Corporate takeovers in times of crisis: what makes them different from regular transactions
more
roadmap
Insolvencies in CEE: same same but different?
While there was a sharp rise in the number of insolvencies opened in Austria, particularly in the real estate sector, the number of insolvencies opened in many other countries has not changed despite inflation and rising interest rates. This is also confirmed by the following overview: almost half of our Schoenherr offices have seen a change, while the situation in the other half has remained unchanged.
press release
Austria: Schoenherr advises Fisker GmbH on its restructuring proceedings
Schoenherr advised Fisker GmbH in connection with its restructuring proceedings, so far the largest insolvency proceedings in Austria in 2024, with claims exceeding EUR 3.5bln.
publication
CZ: Schoenherr Journal Edition 16
The Schoenherr Journal, published by Schoenherr's Prague office, looks at significant new legal developments in the Czech Republic.
roadmap
New preventive restructuring framework finally arrived in the Czech Republic
After a delay of more than a year, an Act on Preventive Restructuring (the "Act") implementing the EU directive on preventive restructuring frameworks finally became effective in the Czech Republic on 23 September 2023.
roadmap
Share purchase rights in Austrian insolvency proceedings
Shareholders of Austrian limited liability companies ("GmbH") often stipulate the right to purchase the shares of co-shareholders in certain events. These "share purchase rights" (Aufgriffsrechte) entitle the remaining shareholders to acquire the share of a shareholder when a contractually defined event (Aufgriffsfälle), like insolvency or the death of a shareholder, occurs. Often these rights are laid down in articles of association or a separate shareholders' agreement (Syndikatsvertrag). They are generally qualified as option rights.
newsletter
What changes will the Czech Republic's new preventive restructuring act bring to debtors and creditors?
After a delay of more than a year, an act on preventive restructuring (the "Act") implementing the EU directive on preventive restructuring frameworks finally became effective in the Czech Republic on 23 September 2023. The long-awaited Act introduces a brand-new legal tool preventing the insolvency of viable enterprises in temporary financial distress.
newsletter
Transposition of EU Restructuring / Second Chance Directive in Bulgaria: problems with new ipso facto prohibitions under commercial and financial transactions
"Bulgaria transposed the Restructuring Directive's prohibition to terminate contracts via ipso facto clauses, but also (deviating from the Directive) prohibited contractual set-off in restructuring, thus rendering the preservation of many contracts performed via contractual set-off / netting of payment meaningless. So, in drafting ipso facto clauses the impossibility to perform contracts in restructuring, due to the contractual set-off prohibition, may be utilised as an additional trigger for termination, now".
newsletter
Bulgaria: Will there be a surge in insolvency/restructuring work in the aftermath of the pandemic?
roadmap
Preventive restructuring implemented in the Czech Republic: a revolution in Czech insolvency law
A long-awaited bill on preventive restructuring (the "Bill") implementing the directive on preventive restructuring frameworks in the Czech Republic will introduce a brand-new legal tool preventing the insolvency of viable enterprises in temporary distress.
roadmap
Drafting laws – that's learning by doing
Schoenherr partners Miriam Simsa and Wolfgang Höller talked to Dr. Franz Mohr, Head of the Department for Execution and Insolvency Law at the Federal Ministry of Justice, about the process of drafting laws, the restructuring directive and more.
publication
CZ: Schoenherr Journal Edition 11
The Schoenherr Journal, published by Schoenherr's Prague office, examines the latest important legal developments in the Czech Republic.
newsletter
Long-awaited bill on preventive restructurings finally released. What changes will it bring to Czech insolvency law?
newsletter
Österreich: Die Tücken der neuen Restrukturierungsordnung
Am 16.06.2021 wurde von der Bundesregierung der Entwurf der neuen Restrukturierungsordnung (ReO), mit der die RL (EU) 2019/1023 (RestrukturierungsRL) umgesetzt wird, beschlossen (siehe hier). Die Regierungsvorlage wird nun im Parlament behandelt und soll im Juli 2021 in Kraft treten (siehe unseren Legal Insight als Übersicht).
newsletter
(Be)sicher(t) durch die Insolvenz?
Forderungen von Absonderungsgläubigern sind insgesamt auf den Wert der jeweiligen Sicherheit im Zeitpunkt der Bestätigung eines Sanierungsplans begrenzt. Damit ist der OGH in seiner aktuellen Entscheidung 17 Ob 12/20v von seiner bisherigen Rechtsprechung abgewichen.
newsletter
Newsflash: Keine Macht dem hold-out – die neue Restrukturierungsordnung
Am 23.02.2021 wurde der lang erwartete Entwurf der Restrukturierungsordnung veröffentlicht. Mit dem Entwurf soll die Richtlinie (EU) 2019/1023 (RestrukturierungsRL) in Österreich umgesetzt werden.
roadmap
Restructuring tools for companies in economic crisis
Austrian tax law provides various reorganisation tools for companies in an economic crisis. Among others, these include shareholder contribution (in the broad sense), debt/equity swap, debt waiver, assumption of debt, letter of comfort, participation right, capital decrease, surety/guarantee, assumption of performance, silent partnership, debt mezzanine swap and restructuring trust.
roadmap
Adapting (to) circumstances – the CFO crisis management checklist
The precise impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global and regional economies remains far from certain. On the other hand, it is more or less accepted that most, if not all corporations will need to adapt to new market circumstances.
roadmap
2021
austria bulgaria croatia czech republic hungary moldova poland romania serbia slovakia slovenia türkiye
M.Simsa I.Armașu L.Çelepçi S.Hekelová V.Kobe T.Krumov D.Lefter D.Radwański
"The key to success is the ability to adapt." (Confucius)
But is there only one way to successfully adapt local insolvency laws to limit the negative economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic?
roadmap
The simplified restructuring proceeding: A new restructuring tool in Poland
The year 2020 will no doubt be remembered for COVID-19. The pandemic has shaken our societies and profoundly affected our lives.
newsletter
The second Covid-related package changes insolvency law. What will it bring to corporate debtors and their creditors?
newsletter
Austria: Covid-19: Welche Unterstützungsleistungen der öffentlichen Hand kann ich beantragen?
Die durch die COVID-19 Pandemie verursachten wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen betreffen eine Vielzahl von Unternehmen. Die Politik hat bereits mehrere Maßnahmen zur Erhaltung der Zahlungsfähigkeit und Überbrückung von Liquiditätsengpässen für die heimische Wirtschaft verlautbart.
newsletter
16 July 2020
czech republic hungary poland romania serbia slovenia austria
V.Kobe I.Armașu M.Antczak A.Damaschin M.Ebner M.Florea P.Gorše W.Kapica K.Krušlin* D.Radwański M.Simsa
CFO Crisis Management Checklist – CEE edition
newsletter
Hungary: The time needed for liquidation and forced deletion procedures has been extended due to coronavirus
On 28 May 2020, the Hungarian Government adopted amendments to the laws on company liquidation and forced deletion procedures to cushion the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic on the economy.
newsletter
Sanierungsinstrumente in der Krise
Gerade in aktuellen Krisenzeiten stellt sich für viele Unternehmer die Frage, wie sie ihr Unternehmen bestmöglich sanieren können, um so das Fortbestehen des Unternehmens zu sichern.
newsletter
Czech Republic: LEX COVID – Changes to insolvency proceedings
The coronavirus pandemic has made life complicated for almost all businesses, especially from the financial point of view. Businesses thus face an increased risk of bankruptcy and subsequent insolvency proceedings.
newsletter
Romania: Are Romanian companies ready for post-pandemic tax audits?
As part of the preventive measures taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Romanian tax authorities have limited the number of tax audits at taxpayers' premises for the duration of the state of emergency.
newsletter
Corona Crisis: Amendment of the obligation to file for insolvency in CEE
With the fourth law on COVID-19, the Austrian legislator has suspended the obligation of an overindebted debtor to file for insolvency until 30 June 2020, irrespective of the cause of the over-indebtedness.
newsletter
Bulgaria: Insolvency during the state of emergency and creditor protection
Bulgaria has been in a state of emergency since 13 March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. On 23 March the Parliament voted on a special State of Emergency Act (COVID-19 Act) which suspended all court, arbitration and enforcement terms and proceedings during the state of emergency, currently in force until 13 April.
newsletter
Czech Republic: State supports actions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic
Czech businesses and citizens have recently been affected by the adverse effects of the state of emergency declared due to COVID-19 and related emergency measures taken by the government or the Ministry of Health.
newsletter
Czech Republic: Overview of the COVID-19 support measures currently available by the Czech public sector
The Czech public sector provides a number of support measures to companies and natural persons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
newsletter
Slovenia: Government anti-coronavirus support schemes for businesses
On 25 March 2020, the Government of Slovenia announced a EUR 2bln rescue package intended to mitigate the adverse and diverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The package primarily seeks to maintain jobs by providing pay check support and tax relief to employers and introducing additional mechanisms to reduce the liquidity shock on businesses.
newsletter
Coronavirus – Auswirkungen auf die Insolvenzantragspflicht?
Das Coronavirus stellt Unternehmen vor große Herausforderungen unterschiedlicher Art. Der eingeschränkte Betrieb, Stornierungen und das Ausbleiben von Kunden können auch bei sonst gesunden Unternehmen zu Liquiditätsproblemen führen und im Extremfall die Pflicht auslösen, einen Insolvenzantrag zu stellen. Zwar hat der Staat Hilfsmaßnahmen angekündigt, die Frage ist aber, wie rasch diese Maßnahmen kommen, wie schnell sie greifen und ob sie ausreichend sind.
newsletter
The Serbian Commission for State Aid publishes a notice on the application of state aid rules during the coronavirus pandemic
In response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, and following a similar announcement by the European Commission, on 17 March the Serbian Commission for State Aid Control ("Commission") published the Notice on the Application of the Rules for Granting State Aid in the Emerging COVID-19 Situation ("Notice").
roadmap
The Restructuring Directive: Where do we go from here?
Pre-insolvency restructuring frameworks: The race has begun – with some early front runners
newsletter
Austria: Pre-emptive right on shares unenforceable in insolvency proceedings?
Shareholders of Austrian limited liability companies usually want to have influence over whom they are associated with. That's why shareholders often agree on a pre-emptive right (Aufgriffsrecht) to purchase existing shares in certain cases, e.g. in case of insolvency proceedings against a shareholder.
newsletter
Supreme Court finds insolvency related avoidance claims assignable - Austria
The Austrian Supreme Court has recently found that insolvency related avoidance claims can be sold. This may open a whole new business segment and will most certainly have a material impact on defendants in avoidance proceedings.
newsletter
Management's liability for payments upon onset of insolvency
A financial crisis and situations where insolvency is imminent are not only challenging for a company and its management, but also entail significant liability risks for management in the case of subsequent insolvency proceedings.
newsletter
New EU Restructuring Directive: A game changer for restructurings?
The list of successful restructurings outside insolvency proceedings is as long as it is confidential. Every year, companies of all sizes are stabilised and sustainably restructured without the stigma of insolvency proceedings.
newsletter
Good news for creditors: Austrian Supreme Court strikes down significant impediment to creating valid collateral in Austria
The Austrian Supreme Court has abolished its former line of decisions on the recognition of collateral granted by way of security transfer (Sicherungsübereignung) under foreign jurisdiction. From now on, Austrian courts will have to recognise such collateral even if it does not comply with Austrian publicity requirements (Pubilzitätserfordernissen).
newsletter
Croatia: Agrokor's administration proceedings are entering the final stage
After almost two years, the extraordinary administration proceedings over Agrokor and 77 of its Croatian group companies is entering its final stage.
press release
Romania: Schoenherr Bucharest wins two Client Choice Awards 2019
Schoenherr Bucharest received two Client Choice Awards from the International Law Office ("ILO") and Lexology. Georgiana Badescu (partner, Bucharest, competition) won the exclusive award for Romania in the competition & antitrust category, and Emeric Domokos-Hancu (partner, Bucharest, dispute resolution and insolvency & restructuring) was recognised as exclusive winner for Romania in the insolvency & restructuring category.
roadmap
The fall of Agrokor - a partial history
Like any good crime novel, the fall of Agrokor had it all: the fallen hero turned villain, a looming public crisis, political intrigue and a packed storyline with many twists and turns. We have compiled a timeline with some of the most crucial events from this financial thriller.
newsletter
Austria: Responsibility to investigate - an update on avoidance risks
Following the opening of insolvency proceedings, the insolvency receiver typically tries to enlarge the insolvency estate by asserting voidance claims. Legal acts that occurred within certain suspect periods prior to the opening of insolvency proceedings might be declared void. Creditors may mitigate certain avoidance risks by investigating the debtor's financial situation when conducting legal transactions.
press release
Austria: Schoenherr successfully steers KIKA/Leiner away from financial distress
Schoenherr has supported the Austrian furniture retail group KIKA/Leiner to stabilise in the face of looming liquidity problems stemming from a crisis at shareholder level.
roadmap
Confidentiality in restructuring
Successful restructurings typically depend on a smooth and swift process. All information relevant for the restructuring must be available to the creditors, and must be kept confidential. In addition, legal duties of secrecy must be considered. Finally, the effective restructuring of a debtor's business needs to receive as little attention as possible from third parties (eg customers, the market, suppliers).
press release
Schönherr berät SALESIANER MIETTEX beim Erwerb der insolventen Wozabal-Gruppe
Schönherr hat die SALESIANER MIETTEX GmbH ("SALESIANER MIETTEX") beim Erwerb der insolventen oberösterreichischen Wozabal-Unternehmensgruppe, sowie bei der Akquisitionsfinanzierung beraten.
newsletter
Closer to market needs - recent amendments to the Hungarian insolvency regulation
The amendment to the Hungarian Insolvency Act came into force on 1 July 2017, with the aim of enhancing the protection of beneficiaries of security interests, and clarifying the position of creditors in liquidation proceedings, which are secured by call option, security assignment or pledge over future receivables.
newsletter
Recast of the EU Regulation on Insolvency Law Applicable as of Today
The EU Regulation on Insolvency Law 1346/2000 (EIR) was considered a milestone in the cross-border coordination of national insolvency proceedings. The recast of the EU Regulation on Insolvency Law 2015/848, applicable to insolvency proceedings opened after 26 June 2017, considers substantial developments in national insolvency laws.
newsletter
New Developments in Czech Insolvency Law
An extensive amendment to Act No. 182/2006 Coll., on Insolvency (the "Insolvency Act") will come into effect on 1 July 2017 (the "Amendment").
press release
Austria: Schoenherr named "Austrian Law Firm of the Year" and awarded for "European Restructuring Deal: HETA" by IFLR
Schoenherr was named "Austrian Law Firm of the Year" by renowned legal publisher International Financial Law Review ("IFLR") at the IFLR European Awards Ceremony held in London on 20 April.
newsletter
Freeze! Securing a debtor's assets in a foreign country can be a difficult and lengthy exercise - a new EU Regulation will change this.
Suppose you were a German bank lending to a Spanish debtor under a loan agreement governed by German law. Once your Spanish debtor stops paying, the bank would have to obtain a German legal judgment and would then have to enforce it in Spain.
press release
Austria: Schoenherr promotes restructuring expert Miriam Simsa to contract partner
roadmap
Polish Restructuring Law – Possibilities for Debtors and Creditors
Poland’s new restructuring law (ustawa z dnia 15 maja 2015 prawo restrukturyzacyjne, Dz.U. 2015 poz. 978) (“Restructuring Law”), effective 1 January 2016, brings many awaited changes for companies in distress and their creditors.
newsletter
Moldova: Finally! Liquidating a Company is Now a Mission Possible
On 29 May 2014, the Moldovan Parliament passed the Act No. 90/2014 on amending and supplementing of certain legislative acts (Act No. 90). Act No.90, which entered into force on 27 June 2014, implements simplified rules on the liquidation of companies in Moldova (in particular, at the decision of their shareholders), namely by inter alia amending the Civil Code of Moldova, Act No. 845/1992 on Entrepreneurship and Enterprises, Act No. 220/2007 on State Registration of Companies and Individual Entrepreneurs.
What was previously regarded as a mission impossible, has now become a process with fewer formalities and less time required.
roadmap
Czech Republic: Insolvency filings in case law
The case law sets very high requirements for insolvency filings made by creditors. Creditors must pay extra attention, as the consequence of an insolvency filing is that other creditors and debtors may claim damages that occurred in connection with an insolvency filing that was refused for its incompleteness or other deficiencies.
roadmap
Restructuring Trusts – A More Efficient Way to Recover Debt?
In times of financial difficult and a challenging market environment, establishing a restructuring trust provides an insolvency-proof structure that meets the demand of the financing banks for an immediate change of control in the company while ensuring a professional M&A process with an upside for all stakeholders.
