Company directors have a general duty to prevent a company from trading if it is insolvent.

A director of a company which continues to trade whilst it is insolvent may be liable for insolvent trading.

When is a Company Insolvent?

Section 95A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) deals with when a company is solvent and insolvent and it provides as follows:-

Accordingly, in summary a company is insolvent if and when it is unable to pay amounts which it owes to creditors when they become due and payable. There are various factors which are relevant in determining when a company is insolvent, some of which are set out in our article titled Signs a Company is Insolvent. However, determining solvency and insolvency is generally done on a case by case basis and company directors should obtain professional advice as required.

Claim by a Liquidator for Insolvent Trading

A liquidator can pursue a claim for insolvent trading against a director of a company, if:-

• The person was a director of the company at the time when it was insolvent;
• During the period which it was insolvent the company incurred debt(s) owed to creditor(s) which have not been paid; and
• At the relevant time, the director had reasonable grounds for suspecting that the company was insolvent, or a reasonable person in the director’s position would have had reasonable grounds for suspecting that the company was insolvent.

Subject to any defences available to the director, a liquidator can pursue an insolvent trading claim against the director if the above factors are satisfied for the amount of any unpaid debts which the company incurred whilst it was insolvent. For example if a company was insolvent for six months before the date of liquidation and it incurred unpaid debts totalling $500,000 during this period, the liquidator of that company may be able to pursue an insolvent trading claim against the company’s director(s) for $500,000.

Defences Available to a Director to a Liquidator’s Claim for Insolvent Trading

There are a number of defences available to a director in respect of a liquidator’s claim for insolvent trading under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including at the time when the company incurred the debts which are the subject of the insolvent trading claim:-

• The director had reasonable grounds to expect (and did expect) that the company was solvent;
• The director was relying on a competent and reliable person to produce or provide financial information regarding the company and based the information actually provided, the director reasonably believed that the company was solvent;
• The director did not take part in the management of the company due to illness or some other good reason; and
• The director took all reasonable steps to stop the company incurring the debt or debts which are the subject of the insolvent trading claim.

Claim Against a Holding Company for Insolvent Trading

A Liquidator can also pursue a claim against a holding company for insolvent trading.

Commonly a holding company may be a company which owns more than 50 precent of the shares in another company.

Claim by a Creditor for Insolvent Trading

A creditor of a company can also pursue a claim for insolvent trading in respect of the debt owed to the creditor which was incurred whilst the debtor company was insolvent.

However, a creditor can only pursue a claim for insolvent trading if they receive the written consent of the liquidator or the leave of the Court. Generally a creditor will only be able to obtain the liquidator’s consent or leave of the Court if the liquidator does not intend to pursue their own insolvent trading claim.

Offence of Insolvent Trading

It is also an offence for a director, or directors, to trade a company whilst insolvent. The ASIC may investigate any circumstances of asserted insolvent trading and in some cases they may commence criminal prosecution against a company’s director or directors.

Advice Regarding Insolvent Trading

If you wish to discuss this article, or your circumstances, please don’t hesitate to contact Pearce & Heers Brisbane or Gold Coast office and our experienced staff will be able to assist you.