Ep. 58 - An Introduction to Cross-border Insolvency Protocols
Oct 23, 2024
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Ilya Kokorin, an assistant professor at Leiden University and expert in cross-border group insolvency, delves into the essentials of cross-border insolvency protocols. He discusses their historical development and legal frameworks, illustrating concepts with case studies like Lehman Brothers. Kokorin also unpacks the complexities faced by multinational enterprise groups, highlighting jurisdictional conflicts and the need for cooperation among courts. The dialogue is rich with insights from his book on the subject, offering a vital resource for understanding these critical legal mechanisms.
Cross-border insolvency protocols enhance cooperation between insolvency practitioners and courts, improving efficiency in multi-jurisdictional cases.
Despite their benefits, these protocols face challenges like legal cultural differences and enforceability issues that hinder their adoption in various regions.
Deep dives
Understanding Cross-Border Insolvency Protocols
Cross-border insolvency protocols are pivotal tools aimed at facilitating coordination during insolvency proceedings that span multiple jurisdictions. These protocols can be categorized as either commercial contracts or court-based tools, often depending on the context in which they are used. Historically, they were adopted due to the absence of a cohesive international insolvency law framework, allowing lawyers and courts to create agreements that promote cooperative strategies in handling insolvency cases across borders. Examples of situations where these protocols have been utilized include high-profile bankruptcies such as Lehman Brothers, Maxwell Communications, and recent cases like the failed crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital.
Legal Foundations of Cross-Border Protocols
The legal basis for cross-border insolvency protocols has evolved significantly since their inception in the 1990s. Early protocols operated without a solid framework, but the introduction of various soft law instruments, such as UNCITRAL’s model laws, has provided guidelines that allow for the conclusion of these protocols. Additionally, the European Insolvency Regulation explicitly permits agreements between insolvency practitioners and courts to facilitate cross-border cooperation, highlighting the need for legal clarity in such arrangements. However, as a result of differing legal traditions, particularly between common law and civil law jurisdictions, the enforceability and acceptance of these protocols can vary widely.
Benefits and Flexibility of Protocols
Cross-border insolvency protocols offer numerous benefits by enhancing cooperation and communication between insolvency practitioners and courts, which is essential for the efficient administration of insolvency cases. They can facilitate various processes ranging from simple information exchange to the approval of reorganization plans, allowing for tailored solutions to unique situations involving multiple jurisdictions. This flexibility has led to the development of transnational insolvency norms that enhance the overall management of cross-border cases. Notable examples of such protocols have addressed issues around asset preservation, inter-creditor relationships, and procedural coordination between differing legal systems.
Challenges and Limitations of Cross-Border Protocols
Despite their advantages, cross-border insolvency protocols face significant challenges that can impede their widespread use, especially in jurisdictions outside North America. Language barriers, differences in legal cultures, and the uncertain legal nature of these protocols often contribute to their limited adoption in Europe and Latin America. For instance, the protocols' reliance on direct communication between courts may be considered inappropriate in civil law countries, complicating agreements across diverse legal frameworks. Furthermore, concerns regarding the enforceability of specific provisions and adherence to local laws can create additional hurdles, as seen in the bankruptcy case of Mercon Coffee Corporation, where Dutch courts declined to approve a protocol on procedural grounds.
In this episode ERA's Chair, Ilya Kokorin, Leiden University, The Netherlands, takes us back to basics to discuss cross-border insolvency protocols; their Nature, Legal Basis, Benefits & Limitations.
Interviewer: Ishana Tripathi, O.P. Jindal Global University, India Introduction and credits voiced by Lisa McNeil, INSOL International Edited and produced by Harriet Norman, INSOL International