WGL RETAIL HOLDINGS LTD & ORS AND S J SHERMAN & ORS HC AK CIV-2011-404-001117

WGL RETAIL HOLDINGS LTD & ORS AND S J SHERMAN & ORS HC AK CIV-2011-404-001117

Given the scale and complexity of the New Zealand companies, cross‑jurisdictional coordination with the Australian administration, the need to conduct a realistic sale process as a going concern and creditors' lack of opposition (including a secured creditor supporting extension), the convening period under...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
openlaw-be1a6d32_e0a2_4bff_9a6f_26c6d7de95e4.pdf
Parties
Company in Administration: WGL Retail Holdings Ltd; Company in Administration: Whitcoulls Group Ltd; Company in Administration: Calendar Club New Zealand Ltd; Company in Administration: Borders New Zealand Ltd; Company in Administration: REDgroup Online Ltd; Applicant/administrator: Steven John Sherman; Applicant/administrator: John Melluish; Applicant/administrator: Ryan Reginald Eagle
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
New Zealand
Judgment Date
16 March 2011
Procedural Posture
Application for Extension of Convening Period and Extension of Employee Notice Periods Under Part 15 a Companies Act 1993 / Application on the Papers (interim Orders Sought)
Outcome
Application granted in part; convening period and employee notice period extended to 17 September 2011 with conditions
Legal Topics
Administration, Watershed Meeting, Extension of Convening Period S239 at, Administrators' Notice of Termination S239 Y, Sale as Going Concern, Creditors' Rights, Lease Issues, Retention of Title
Insolvency Companies Law Employment Law Commercial/corporate Law Property/leasing Administration Watershed Meeting Extension of Convening Period S239 at +5 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Legal principles 6 Authorities cited 12 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 8
Sign in to unlock

Parties

WGL Retail Holdings Ltd

Company in Administration

Whitcoulls Group Ltd

Company in Administration

Calendar Club New Zealand Ltd

Company in Administration

Borders New Zealand Ltd

Company in Administration

REDgroup Online Ltd

Company in Administration

Steven John Sherman

Applicant/administrator

John Melluish

Applicant/administrator

Ryan Reginald Eagle

Applicant/administrator

Procedural Posture

Application for Extension of Convening Period and Extension of Employee Notice Periods Under Part 15 a Companies Act 1993 / Application on the Papers (interim Orders Sought)

  1. 1 Whether the convening period for watershed meetings under s239AT(2) should be extended under s239AT(3)
  2. 2 Whether the period for administrators to give termination of employment notice under s239Y(3) should be extended under s239Y(4)
  3. 3 Balance between strict statutory time limits and allowing administrators sufficient time to investigate and effect a going concern sale

Ratio Decidendi

Given the scale and complexity of the New Zealand companies, cross‑jurisdictional coordination with the Australian administration, the need to conduct a realistic sale process as a going concern and creditors' lack of opposition (including a secured creditor supporting extension), the convening period under s239AT(2) is extended to 17 September 2011 and the s239Y notice period is extended to the same date to enable proper administration and better creditor returns.

Court Disposition

Application granted in part; convening period and employee notice period extended to 17 September 2011 with conditions

Orders

  • For each of WGL Retail Holdings Ltd, Whitcoulls Group Ltd, Calendar Club New Zealand Ltd, Borders New Zealand Ltd and REDgroup Online Ltd the convening period under s239AT(2) is extended up to and including 17 September 2011
  • Under s239ADO Part 15A shall have effect as if the meeting required by s239AV may be held at any time during the period up to or within five business days after the end of the convening period as extended above