Ethics code to tackle pre-packs

Ethics code to tackle pre-packs

Rules governing controversial ‘pre-pack’ administrations to be tightened up by a new code of ethics on company wind-ups

David Kerr, chief executive of the Insolvency Practitioners Association

David Kerr, chief executive of the Insolvency Practitioners Association

The rules governing controversial ‘pre-pack’ administrations are to be
tightened up by a new code of ethics on company wind-ups.

Statement of
insolvency
practice
16 will see IPs make disclosures on topics such as valuations when
reporting to creditors after the sale of a company has been completed.

David Kerr, the chief executive of the
Insolvency
Practitioners Association
, said there would be a disciplinary element to the
new code, which would mean IPs could find themselves open to disciplinary action
from their governing body if they could not explain a deviation from the rules.
‘IPs [will be able to] refer to a statement of best practice and also say to the
rest of the world “This is what you can expect from an IP reporting on a
pre-packaged sale in administration”.’

Rules on pre-packs are to be set in stone for the first time, mainly to put
creditors’ minds at rest that IPs are getting the best value for companies out
of a pre-pack, which are disliked by some, and also to ensure best practice in
the insolvency community.

Pre-packs involve the sale of a company being lined up before it has
officially entered the administration procedure.

Some have complained that it is an easy way for company directors to keep
hold of companies and shed debts.

The move has been made as the prospect of more business failures looms on the
horizon.
As the number of insolvencies continues to rise steadily, Kerr said that this
was the first time the Enterprise Act would be put to the test.

The rules, which became active in 2003, make it a lot easier for companies to
enter administration.

Companies can now be put into the hands of administrators within a few hours.
However, the expected spike in insolvencies has left IPs unsure as to whether
the rules would be able to cope under the weight of increased demand.

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