In the matter of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited (administrators appointed) Adam Farnsworth and Adam Shepard in their capacity as the joint and several voluntary administrators of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited

Case [2011] NSWSC 888


Supreme Court


New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited (administrators appointed) Adam Farnsworth and Adam Shepard in their capacity as the joint and several voluntary administrators of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited [2011] NSWSC 888
Hearing dates:8 August 2011
Decision date: 08 August 2011
Jurisdiction:Equity Division - Corporations List
Before: Hammerschlag J
Decision:

Orders in terms of paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Originating Process

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS - application to extend time to hold adjourned second meeting of creditors - ss 439A, 439B(2), 447A Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) - reg 5.6.18(2) Corporations Regulations - where little utility to hold adjourned meeting earlier - wide operation of s 447A Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) - extension of time granted
Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth)
Cases Cited: Re Porter and Another as Joint Administrators of Priceright Construction Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2006] NSWSC 324
Category:Principal judgment
Parties: Adam Farnsworth and Adam Shepard in their capacity as the joint and several voluntary administrators of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited
Representation: Counsel:
M.J Rosenblatt - Solicitor - Plaintiff
Solicitor:
Somerset Ryckmans - Plaintiff
File Number(s):2011/254635

EX TEMPORE Judgment

  1. HIS HONOUR: This is an application by Originating Process for an order under s 447A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("the Act") which provides that the Court may make such order as it thinks appropriate about how this Part is to operate in relation to a particular company. The order will have the effect of extending the period for the holding of the adjourned second meeting of creditors in circumstances set out in the affidavit of the voluntary administrator, Mr Farnsworth.

  1. The order will have the effect that despite the operation of Reg 5.6.18(2) of the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) , s 439B(2) of the Act will operate as if the section provides that the meeting convened under s 439A of the Act and held on 20 June 2011 will be adjourned to a date not later than 22 November 2011.

  1. There is undoubtedly jurisdiction to make such an order given the wide operation of s 447A of the Act which enables the Court to make any order it thinks appropriate as to how Pt 5.3A of the Act is to operate in relation to a particular company; see Re Porter and Another as Joint Administrators of Priceright Construction Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2006] NSWSC 324 per Barrett J. In that case his Honour made an order to the same effect as the one sought here.

  1. The basis for the present application is that on 20 June 2011 the creditors resolved to adjourn the second meeting to a date on or before 22 August 2011. There will be no utility in holding the meeting on or before that time because there is at present an insurance claim which is the subject of correspondence and which will not be resolved or the position of the parties will not be resolved before that date. It is accordingly appropriate that the order sought should be made.

  1. However, his Honour made an additional order, given that the application was brought ex parte, reserving leave to any person claiming to be interested to make an application to vary the substantive order upon 24 hours notice to the plaintiffs. As his Honour thought there, I think this is a sensible precaution and one which should, despite the fact that it is unlikely to be availed of, be taken in the present case.

  1. I make orders in terms of paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Originating Process.

  1. In addition, any person claiming to be interested has leave upon 24 hours notice to the plaintiffs to apply to vary those orders.

  1. The orders are to be taken out forthwith.

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Details
AGLC
In the matter of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited (administrators appointed) Adam Farnsworth and Adam Shepard in their capacity as the joint and several voluntary administrators of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited [2011] NSWSC 888
Case
[2011] NSWSC 888
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The voluntary administrators of Superfine Printing Co Pty Limited, Adam Farnsworth and Adam Shepard, sought an extension of time to hold a second adjourned meeting of creditors. The application was made under sections 439A and 439B(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and regulation 5.6.18(2) of the Corporations Regulations. The primary concern was whether the utility of holding the adjourned meeting earlier outweighed the potential consequences of extending the time limit.

The court was required to determine whether the extension of time for holding the second adjourned meeting of creditors would serve the interests of justice and the creditors of the company. The administrators argued that the delay in holding the meeting was justified due to the complexities of the company's affairs and the need for additional time to prepare. The court needed to assess the balance between the statutory provisions for holding such meetings and the practical considerations of the company's insolvency proceedings.

The court recognised that holding the adjourned meeting earlier would have limited utility and could potentially cause more harm than good. The wide operation of section 447A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) allows for flexibility in the timing of meetings of creditors, provided it is in the interests of justice. The court found that the administrators had provided sufficient reasons for the delay and that the extension of time would not prejudice the creditors or the administration of the company's insolvency. Accordingly, the court granted the application for an extension of time.

The court ordered that the time for holding the second adjourned meeting of creditors be extended, allowing the administrators additional time to prepare for the meeting and ensuring that the interests of the creditors were properly considered.

Orders

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Background

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Evidence

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