Cross-Border Insolvency Act, 2000

1. For the purposes of this Act— 10 15 (u) (/1) (c) (d) (c) (f) (g) (h) (i) (i) (k) ([) “court” means a High Court referred to in section 4; “curator of an institution” means a curator appointed in terms of section 6 of the Financial Institutions (Investment of Funds) Act. 1984 (Act No. 39 of 20 1984), or section 69 of the Banks Act. 1990 (Act No. 94 of 1990). or section 81 of the Mutual Banks Act, 1993 (Act No, ] 24 of ] 993); “establishment” means any place of operations where the debtor carries out a non-transitory economic activity with human means and goods or services; “foreign court” means a judicial or other authority competent to control or 25 supervise foreign proceedings: “foreign main proceedings” means foreign proceedings taking place in the State where the debtor has the centre of his or her or its main interests; “foreign non-main proceedings” means foreign proceedings. other than foreign main proceedings. taking place in a State where the debtor has an 30 establishment within the meaning of paragraph (c) of this section: “foreign proceedings” means collective judicial or administrative proceed- ings in a foreign State, including interim proceedings. pursuant to a law relating to insolvency in which proceedings the assets and affairs of the debtor are subject to control or supervision by a foreign court. for the purpose of 35 reorganisation or liquidation: “foreign representative” means a person or body, including one appointed on an interim basis. authorised in foreign proceedings to administer the reorganisation or the liquidation of the debtor’s assets or affairs or to act as a representative of the foreign proceedings: “fol-eigll ,’jtate” nleans a State designated under section ~(?): “Minister” means the Cabinet member responsible for the administration of justice: “receiver” means a receiver or other person appointed by a court to administer a compromise or arrangement under section 311 of the Companies 45 Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973): ‘“Republic” means the Republic of South Africa. 40 Scope of application 2. (1) This Act applies where-- (u) assistance is sought in [he Republic by a foreign court or a foreipl] 50 representatit’e in connection with foreign proceedings; or I (b) (c) (d) (2) (a) assistance is sough[ in :1 forci+;n S[a(c in connection \\ith proceedings under the laws of the Republic ]c]ating [o imsolt.cncy: or foreiSl~proceedings andprc~ceeclirlgs unde~-tile !a.usofthe Repuhlic relating m insolvency in respect of the s:l~~lc debtoi- aretaking place cc)llcumently; or creditors or other interested persons in a foreign State hai’e an interest in requesting the commencement of, or participating in, proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency. Subject to paragraph (b). this Act applies in respect of any State designated by the .Minister by notice in the Ga:erfe. “ “ (b) The Minister may only designate a State as colitemplated in paragr~pb (a) if he or she is satisfied that the recognition accorded by the law of such a State to proceedings undet- the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency justifies the application of this Act to foreign proceedings in such State. (3) The Minister may at any time by subsequent notice in Ihe Ga:ette withdraw any notice under subsection (2)(a). and thereupon any State referred to in such last- mentioned notice ceases [o be a foreign State for the purposes of this Act, (4) Any notice referred to in subsection C2)(u) or (3) must, before publication in the Gazefte, be approved by Parliament. International obligations of Republic

3. To the extent that this Act conflicts with an obligation of the Republic arising out of any’ treaty or other form of agreement to which it is a party with one or more other States and which treaty or agreement has been enacted into law in terms of section 231 (4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996), the requirements of the treaty or agreement prevail. Competent court 5 10 15 20 25

4. The functions referred to in this Act relating to recognition of foreign proceedings and cooperation with foreign courts must be performed by a High Court referred to in section 166(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996). Authorisation of trustee, liquidator, judicial manager, curator of institution, or receiver to act in foreign State 30

5. A trustee, liquidator, judicial manager, curator of an institution, or receiver is authorised to act in a foreign State in respect of proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency, as permitted by the applicable foreign law. Public policy exception 35

6. Nothing in this Act prevents the court from refusing to take an action governed by this Act if the action would be manifestly contrary to the public policy of the Republic. Additional assistance under other laws

7. Nothing in this Act limits the power of a court or a trustee. liquidator, judicial manager, curator of an institution, or receiver to pro~ide additional assistance to a 40 foreign representative under other laws of the Republic. Interpretation

8. In the interpretation of this Act, regard is to be had to its international origin and to the need to promote uniformity in its application and the observance of good faith. I () N,, 2 i Sw I:; ()\ [-. R’ihil-YT (;,A7,1 TT1 15 DF:CETVIBFR 70(X I Act so. -t2. 2000 (’ROSS- H( 1;<1>}’1{ ISSOIVEN(”>” .\[’”[-. 2(100” CH:iPTER 2 ACCESS OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES AM) CREDITORS TO COIJRTS IN REPUBLIC Right of direct access

9. A foreign representative rna~ apply directly to a court in the Republic for relief. 5 Limited jurisdiction IO. The sole fact that an application pursuant to this Act is made to a court in the Republic by a foreign representative does not subject the foreign representative or the foreign assets and affairs of the debtor to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic for any purpose other than the application. Jo Application by foreign representative to commence proceedings under laws of Republic relating to insolvency

11. A foreign representative may apply to commence proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency if the conditions for commencing such proceedings are otherwise met. 15 Participation of foreign representative in proceedings under laws of Republic relating to insolvency

12. Upon recognition of foreign proceedings, the foreign representative may participate in proceedings regarding the debtor under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency. 20 .4ccess of foreign creditors to proceedings under laws of Republic relating to insolvency 13. (1) Subject to subsection (2), foreign creditors have the same rights regarding the commencement of, and participation in, proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency as creditors in the Republic. 25 (2) Subsection (1) does not affect the ranking of claims in proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency, except that the claims of foreign creditors may not be ranked lower than non-preferent claims. (3) Without derogating from the application of the law and practice of the Republic generally. the ranking of claims in respect of assets in the Republic is regulated by the 30 law and practice of the Republic on the ranking of claims. Notification to foreign creditors of proceedings under laws of Republic relating to insolvency 14. ( 1 ) (a) Whenever under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency notification is to be given to creditors in the Republic, such notification must also be 35 given to the known creditors that do not have addresses in the Republic. (b) The court may order that appropriate steps be taken with a view to notifying any creditor whose address is not yet known. (2) (a) Such notification must be made to the foreign creditors individually, unless the court considers that, under the circumstances, some other form of notification would be 40 more appropriate. (b) No letters rogatory or other similar formality is required. (3) When a notification of commencement of proceedings is to be given to foreign creditors, the notification must— (a) indicate a reasonable time period fc)r filing claims and specify the place for 45 their filing; (/’) indicate whether secured creditor:, need to tile their secured claims: and ((’J contain any olher information required to be included in such a notification to creditors pursuant to the Iav< of the Republic and the orders of the court. CHAPTER 3 RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN PROCEEDINGS AND RELIEF 5 Application for recognition of foreign proceedings 15. ( 1 ) ,4 foreign representative may apply to the court for recognition of the foreign proceedings in which the foreign representative has been appointed, (2) An application for recognition must be accompanied by— (a) a certitied copy of the decision commencing the foreign proceedings and 10 appointing the foreign representative; or (b} a certificate from the fore]gn court affirming the existence of the foreign proceedings and of the appointment of the foreign representative; or (c) in the absence of evidence referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), any other evidence acceptable to the court of the existence of the foreign proceedings 15 and of the appointment of’ the foreign representative. (3] An application for recognition must also be accompanied by a statement identifying all foreign proceedings in respect of the debtor that are known to the foreign representative. (4) The court may require a translation of documents supplied in support of the 20 application for recognition into an ofilcial language of the Republic. Presumptions concerning recognition 16. (1) If the decision or certificate referred to in section 15(2) indicates that the foreign proceedings are proceedings within the meaning of section 1(g) and that the foreign representative is a person or body within the meaning of section 1(h), the court 25 may so presume. (2) The court may presume that documents submitted in support of the application for recognition are authentic, whether or not they have been legalised. (3) In the absence of proof to the contrary, the debtor’s registered office, or habitual residence in the case of an individual, is presumed to be the centre of the debtor’s main 30 interests. Decision to recognise foreign proceedings 17. (1) Subject to section 6, foreign proceedings must be recognised if–- (a) the foreign proceedings are proceedings within the meaning of section l(g); (b) the foreign representative applying for recognition is a person or body within 35 the meaning of section I(h); (c) the application meets the requirements of section 15(2); and (d) the application has been submitted to a court. (2) The foreign proceedings must be recognised— (a) as foreign main proceedings if they are taking place in the State where the 40 debtor has the centre of his or her or its main interests; or (b) as foreign non-main proceedings if the debtor has an establishment within the meaning of section l(c) in the foreign State. (3) An application for recognition of foreign proceedings must be decided upon at the earliest possible time. 45 (4) The provisions of this section and of sections 15, 16 and 18 do not prevent modification or termination of recognition if it is shown that the grounds for granting it were fully or partially lacking or have ceased to exist. ,fc( N,). .12.2000 (’ROSS l;ol~.l)}:l? l\>()[ \’l:XC) .\(:”l”. 2000 Subsequent information 1!3. From the time of tilin: the :Ipplictitlon for recognition of the foreign proceedings. the foreign replresenta(i\e rmusl inform the court promptly of-– ((I) ally change illthestatLls of there~(>gnisedf oreignp roceedingso rtllest~itusof [be foreign representatii’e’s appointment; Inci 5 ( b ) anyother foreign proceeciillgs re~~irdillg tl~es:lme debt()r ttlat become known to the foreign representative. Relief that may be granted upon application for recognition of foreign proceedings 19. ( 1 ) From the time of tiling an application for recognition until the application is decided upon, tbe court may, at the request of the foreign representative, where relief is 10 urgen[]~ needed to pro[ec[ the assets of the debtor or the interests of the creditors, grant relief of a provisional nature, including— (a) stzzying execution against the debtor’s assets; (b) entrusting the administration or realisation of all or part of the debtor’s assets located in tbe Republic to the foreign representative or another person 15 designated by the court. in order to protect and preserve the value of assets that, by their nature or because of other circumstances, are perishable, susceptible to devaluation or otherwise in jeopardy: (c) any relief mentioned in section 21(1 )(c), (d) and (g). (~) An order issued under subsection(1) must be dealt with as contemplated in section 20 17 of the Insolvency Act, 1936 (Act No. 24 of 1936), or section 357(1) and (4) of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973), as the case may be. (3) Unless extended under section 2 1(1)(f), the relief granted under this section terminates when the application for recognition is decided upon. (4) The court may refuse to grant relief under this section if such relief would interfere 25 with the administration of foreign main proceedings. Effects of recognition of foreign main proceedings (a) 20. (1) Upon recognition of foreign proceedings [bat are foreign main proceedings— commenc~ment or contin~at~on of individual legal actions or individual regal proceedings concerning the debtor’s assets. rights, obligations or liabilities is 30 stayed; execution against the debtor’s assets is stayed; the right to transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of any assets of the debtor is suspended; and section 21 of tbe Insolvency Act. 1936 (Act No. 24 of 1936), applies with 35 regard to assets situated in the Republic to the same extent as it would have if the debtor had been sequestrated by a court. (b) (c) (d) (~) The scope, and the modification or termination. of the stay and suspension referred to in subsection (1) are subject to sections 20, 23 and 75 of the Insolvency Act, 1936, and sections 341 and 359 of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973), and the court 40 may, at the request of the foreign representative or a person affected by subsection ( 1), modify or terminate the scope of the stay and suspension. (3) Subsection ( 1 )(n) does not affect the right to commence individual actions or proceedings to the extent necessary to preserve a claim against tbe debtor. (4) Subsection (1) does not affect the right to request the commencement of 45 proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency or the right to file claims in such proceedings. Relief that may be granted upon recognition of foreign proceedings 21. (1) Upon recognition of foreign proceedings, whether main or non-main, where necessary to protect the assets of the debtor or the interests of the creditors, the court 50 may, at the request of the foreign representative, grant any appropriate relief. including— [6 so. 2 IS99 Act No. Q. WtO G()\’ERNN4t;XT G..\ ZETTE. 15 DF.CE!.4BER 2000” C R O S S - B O R D E R lNSOLVtWC}’ ,\CT. ?W’)(J ({1) (/?) (c) (d) (e} (f) (g) staying the conjmer, cement or continuation of individual Ieyd actions 01 individual legal proceedings concerning the debtor’s assets, rights. obliga- tions or liabilities, to the extent that they have not been stayed under section 20( 1 )(a): staying execution against the debtor’:; assets to the extent that it has not been stayed under section 20( l)(b); suspending the right to transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of any assets of the debtor to the extent that this right has not been suspended under section 20( 1 )(c); providing for the examination of witnesses, the taking of evidence or the delivery of information concerning the debtor’s assets. affairs, rights, obligations or liabilities: entrusting the administration or realisation of all or part of the debtor’s assets located in the Republic to the foreign representative or another person designated by the court; extending relief granted under section 19(1 ); granting any additional relief that may be available to a trustee, liquidator, judicial manager, curator of an institution, or receiver under the laws of the Republic. (2) Upon recognition of foreign proceedings, whether main or non-main, the court may, at the request of the foreign representative, entrust the distribution of all or part of the debtor’s assets located in the Republic to the foreign representative or another person designated by the court, provided that the court is satisfied that the interests of creditors in the Republic are adequately protected. (3) In granting relief under this section to a representative of foreign non-main proceedings, the court must be satisfied that the relief relates to assets that, under the law of the Republic, should be administered in the foreign non-main proceedings or concerns information required in those proceedings. (4) Without derogating from the application of the laws of the Republic generally. in granting relief under this section the court must indicate the laws of the Republic relating to the administration, realisation or distribution of a debtor’s estate in the Republic that will apply. Protection of creditors and other interested persons 22. (1) In granting or denying relief under section 19 or 21, or in modifying or terminating relief under subsection (3), the court must be satisfied that the interests of the creditors and other interested persons, including the debtor, are adequately protected. (2) The court may subject relief granted under section 19 or 21 to conditions it considers appropriate. (3) The court may, at the request of the foreign representative or a person affected by relief granted under section 19 or 21, or of its own motion, modify or terminate such relief. <.) 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Actions to avoid acts detrimental to creditors 23. (1) Upon recognition of foreign proceedings, the foreign representative has standing to initiate any legal action to set aside a disposition that is available to a trustee or liquidator under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency. 45 (2) When the foreign proceedings are foreign non-main proceedings, the court must be satisfied that the legal action relates to assets that, under the law of the Republic, should be administered in the foreign non-main proceedings. Intervention by foreign representative in proceedings in Republic

24. Upon recognition of foreign proceedings, the foreign representative may, provided the requirements of the law of the Republic are met, intervene in any proceedings in which the debtor is a party, 50 18 No. 2189) CC)VERNVENT GAZETTE. 15 DECEMBER 2000 - — . . — _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Act No. 42, 2000 CR.c)Sj.130RDER iN\OLVENCY ACT. 2000 (: E[APTER 4 COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN COURTS AND FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES Cooperation and direct communication between court of Republic and foreign courts or foreign representatives 5 25. (1) Ii? matters referred to in sec[ion 2,( 1), the couri shall cooperate to the maximum extent possible with foreign courts or foreign representatives, either directly or through a trus[ee. liquidator. judicial manager, curator of an institution, or receiver. (2) The court may communicate directly with. cr request information or assistance directly from, foreign courts or foreign representatives. Cooperation and direct communication between trustee, liquidator, judicial manager, curator of institution, or receiver and foreign courts or foreign representatives 26. ( 1 ) In matters referred to in section 2(1), a trustee, liquidator. judicial manager. curator of an institution, or receiver must, in the performance of his or her or its functions and subject to the supervision of the court, cooperate to the maximum extent possible with foreign courts or foreign representatives. (2) The trustee, liquidator, judicial manager, curator of an institution, or receiver may, in the performance of his or her or its functions and subject to the supervision of the court. communicate directly with foreign courts or foreign representatives. Forms of cooperation

27. Cooperation referred to in sections 25 and 26 may be implemented by any appropriate means, includin,g— ia) (b) (c) (ii) (e) appointment of a ~erson or body to act at the direction of the court; communication of information by any means considered appropriate by the court; coordination of the administration and supervision of the debtor’s assets and affairs; approval or implementation by courts of agreements concerning the coordi- nation of proceedings; coordination of concurrent proceedings regarding the same debtor. CHAPTER 5 CONCURRENT PROCEEDINGS 10 15 ~~ 25 30 Commencement of proceedings under laws of Republic relating to insolvency after recognition of foreign main proceedings 35 28. ( 1 ) After recognition of foreign main proceedings, proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency may be commenced only if’ the debtor has assets in the Republic. (2) The effects of such proceedings are restricted to the assets of the debtor that are located in the Republic and, to the extent necessary to implement cooperation and coordination under sections 25, 26 and 27. to other assets of the debtor that. under the law of the Republic. should be ~dministered in those proceedings. Coordination of proceedings under laws of Republic relating to insolvency and foreign proceedings

29. Where foreign proceedings and proceedings under the l~ws ot’ [he Republic relating [0 insolvency ole tukin: place concLirrently regarding the same debtor. the colirt must seek cooperation and coordination under sections 25, 26 and ’27, and- w 45 I %0. 21s94 20 — — Act No. 42. Moo _ _ __ G()\”ER\\l E:\’’T(;,LZETTE. [5 DECENIRE1{ JO(KI CROSS- UORD1:R [NSOLVF.N(:}” ,\(””T. :w)() (a) when the proceedings in the ilcpublic are taking pia~c at the [inw tha[ the application for recognition of the foreign proceedings is filed— (i) any relief granted under section 19 m 21 must be consistent with the proceedings in the Republic; and (ii) if the foreign proceedings are reco~nlsed in the Republic as foreign main 5 proceedings, section 20 does not apply: (b) when the proceedings in the Republic commence after recognition, or after the filing of the application for recognition, of the foreign proceedings— (i) any relief in effect under section 19or21 must be reviewed by the court and must be modified or terminated if inconsistent with the proceedings 10 in the Republic; and (ii) if the foreign proceedings are foreign main proceedings, the stay and suspension referred to in section 20(1) must be modified or terminated pursuant to section 20(2) if inconsistent with the proceedings in the Republic; (c) in granting relief or in extending or modifying relief granted to a representative of foreign non-main proceedings, the court must be satisfied that the relief relates to assets that, under the law of the Republic, should be administered in the foreign non-main proceedings or concerns information required in those proceedings. 15 20 Coordination of foreign proceedings

30. In matters referred to in section 2( 1), in respect of more than one set of foreign proceedings regarding the same debtor, the court must seek cooperation and coordination under sections 25, 26 and 27, and— (u) any relief granted under section 19 or 21 to a representative of foreign 25 non-main proceedings after recognition of foreign main proceedings must be consistent with the foreign main proceedings; (b) if foreign main proceedings are recognised after recognition, or after the filing of an application for recognition, of foreign non-main proceedings, any relief in effect under section 19 or 21 must be reviewed by the court and must be 30 modified or terminated if inconsistent with the foreign main proceedings; (c) if, after recognition of foreign non-main proceedings, other foreign non-main proceedings are recognised, the court must grant, modify or terminate relief for the purpose of facilitating coordination of the proceedings. Presumption of insolvency based on recognition of foreign main proceedings 35

31. In the absence of proof to the contrary, recognition of foreign main proceedings is, for the purpose of commencing proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency, proof that the debtor is insolvent. Rule of payment in concurrent proceedings

32. Without prejudice to secured claims or rights in r-em, a creditor who has received 40 part payment in respect of his or her or its claim in proceedings pursuant to a law relating to insolvency in a foreign State may not receive a payment for the same claim in proceedings under the laws of the Republic relating to insolvency regarding the same debtor, so long as the payment to the other creditors of the same class is proportionately less than the payment the creditor has already received. 45 22 . No. 21899 . — — — __ . . . — — — — — . — — . — - — . .. UO\’ERhTMENT GAZEITE. 15 DECf?!vtBER X300 —- ———.——.——_ —_______ Act No. 42, 2000 Cf?fXX-B0Ri2Efl INSCH.VENCY ACT, 2000 UZAP1’l?Il 6 GENERAL PROWSIONS Amendment of section 149 of Act 24 of 1936

33. Section 149 of the Insolvent y Act, 1936, is hereby amended by the substitution for the proviso to subsection ( 1 ) of the foilowin~ moviso: “Provided that when 1[ appears to the co~~ equitable or convenient [that the estate of a person not domiciled in the Republic be sequestrated elsewhere, or] that the estate of a person over whom it has jurisdiction be sequestrated by another court within the Republic, the court may refuse or postpone the acceptance of the surrender or the sequestration.”. 5 10 I Short title

34. This Act is called the Cross-Border Insolvency Act, 2000, and comes into operation on a date fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.