Provisional liquidators’ powers and retrospective ratification (Aerovías Del Continente Americano v Versilia Solutions)
Restructuring & Insolvency analysis: The judgment in Aerovías Del Continente Americano S.A. and other companies v Versilia Solutions Ltd relates in particular to three aspects of provisional liquidations. First, the importance of ensuring that the scope of the order appointing provisional liquidators confers all the powers they can anticipate requiring. Second, the need to return to court to vary the appointing order and/or seek directions where the powers originally conferred turn out to be insufficient. Third, confirmation of the court's power to retrospectively ratify the actions of provisional liquidators under its overall supervisory control functions. The court signalled that, while it was prepared to grant relief in this case, such applications are likely to receive closer scrutiny from here on, and practitioners should ensure that provisional liquidation orders are drafted with sufficient foresight. Written by Sam Fenwick, partner and Rhian Bevan trainee solicitor, at Wedlake Bell.