JUDGMENT No. ..... Ego .... 1
IN THE ~EDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
. ) 1
GENERAL DIVISION ) No. NX46 of 1 9 8 9 ) BANKRUPTCY DISTRICT OF THE STATE
) )
OF NEW SOUTH WALES )
Re: ANDREW HARWOOD
DebtorEx Parte: ERIC LAWRENCE
Creditor
CORAM: Beaumont J. DATE:
5 February 1 9 9 3 ' 2 MAR 1993
FEDERAL COURT OF ; AUSTRALIA
PRINCIPAL
EX TEMPORE REASONS FOR JUDGMENT REGISTRY
In thls matter an appllcation dated 16 November 1 9 9 2 has been made by Mr Andrew, as trustee, that a conlposltlon entered Into by Mr Harwood on 29 March 1 9 8 9 be terminated.
The basis of the appllcation, which is not contested
IS, that under the terms of the composition the debtor was to
contribute funds at a minlmum rate of $ 4 0 0 per month commencing on 2 0 Aprll 1 9 8 9 . The final payment of instalments was due and payable by 3 1 March 1 9 9 3 .
by 3 1 March next.
As at 26 November 1 9 9 2 the debtor was then seven months in arrears on hls monthly contributions, being a total of $ 2 8 0 0 . Perhaps more significantly the debtor, under the terms of the composition, was contractually bound to contribute a further mlnimum sum of $30,000 as a lump figure
The evidence before me discloses that the debtor has substant~al creditors and no assets of any s~gnificance, and regrettably little prospect of any source of income or other funds which would be requ~red to meet the l ~ a b i l ~ t ~ e s incurred under the terms of the composition.
In those circumstances it is appropriate and, I
think, the only course available, from the po~nt of view of
the court, that the composition be terminated and I so order.
There is also sought consequentially an order that a
sequestrat~on order be made against the estate of the debtor.
In the circumstances and in particular given the absence of any funds available to meet the significant liabilities of the debtor, it is again appropriate that a sequestration order be made agalnst his estate. I order that a sequestration order be made in respect of the estate of the debtor.
preced~ng page are a true copy of the I hereby certify that this and the
Reasons for Ju nour Mr. Justice Beaumon
Associate
- AGLC
- Harwood, A v Lawrence, E [1993] FCA 89
- Case
- [1993] FCA 89
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
In examining the evidence presented, the court noted that the debtor was seven months in arrears on his monthly contributions, amounting to $2,800, and was contractually obligated to contribute a further $30,000. The debtor had substantial creditors but no significant assets or income to meet his liabilities under the composition agreement. The trustee argued that the only appropriate course of action was to terminate the composition and to impose a sequestration order, which would place the debtor's estate under the control of the court to manage and distribute assets to creditors.
Beaumont J. concluded that the debtor's financial situation, marked by substantial arrears and the absence of any significant means to fulfill his obligations, justified the termination of the composition agreement. The court further found it appropriate to make a sequestration order against the debtor's estate due to the lack of available funds to meet his liabilities. The court ordered the termination of the composition and the imposition of a sequestration order against the debtor's estate.
Orders
Orders of the court
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Background
Background to the litigation
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Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
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Decision
Reasons for decision
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Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
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