2020年10月12日
R&I update - October 2020 – 2 / 3 观点
In Germany, the duty to file for insolvency if there is illiquidity (Zahlungsunfähigkeit) and/or over-indebtedness (Überschuldung) was suspended under certain circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic until the end of September 2020.
The German Federal Government has passed a limited extension of the suspension period regarding over-indebtedness. We summarise the new legislation and outline the key takeaway for your business below.
The new legislation states that only over-indebted (not illiquid) companies will further exempted from the obligation to file for insolvency until 31 December 2020, including the following protections:
Furthermore, the legislation makes it clear that there is no "corona bonus" in the sense of a "universal excuse under insolvency law" from 1 October 2020 onwards in Germany. The duty to file for insolvency and the associated liability facts are essentially applicable once more, without restriction regarding illiquidity.
If your company has already invoked the suspension under the German COVID-19 legislation, it's important that you re-assess your current situation – you may have to file for insolvency if you are, or have become, illiquid.
We expect further fundamental legislative changes over the coming months and into the new year, and we'll keep you updated on any new developments as they happen. To discuss any of the issues raised in this article in greater detail, please contact me or a member of our Restructuring and Insolvency team.
作者 Anna Englert