The filing of winding up petitions and appointment of provisional liquidators in the matters of Oasis Fashions Ireland Limited and Warehouse Fashion Ireland Limited.
Introduction
The landscape within which business is conducted has changed drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent Government restrictions.
Beauchamps were recently instructed by the shareholders of Oasis Fashions Ireland Limited and Warehouse Fashion Ireland Limited to file winding up petitions and seek the appointment of a provisional liquidator to each company.
Background
Administrators had been appointed to the UK based Oasis and Warehouse Group of companies (the Group) including the parent of each company in Ireland. The Group had been seeking a buyer to provide new investment, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with various market factors across the retail sector, ended the prospect of securing fresh investment for the Group, despite several expressions of interest.
Challenging Environment
The Group was making simultaneous filings for the appointment of Administrators in the UK and the appointment of a provisional liquidator to each of the Irish companies. Despite the Government restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for social distancing, and the closure of all non-essential Court offices, Beauchamps liaised with the Courts Service and were able to ensure that the applications of the Irish companies could proceed expeditiously.
Beauchamps ensured that social distancing was maintained throughout the preparation of the application which gave rise to some logistical difficulties. Measures were put in place during the swearing of Affidavits to ensure all attendees and documents were adequately sanitised, individual appointments were made with the Central Office of the High Court for the filing of the application papers, and a limited number of designated solicitors attended the High Court for the hearing of the application which was conducted in a courtroom with reduced capacity.
Conclusion
Despite the numerous challenges facing any Court application during the current COVID-19 pandemic, with the necessary preparation and legal expertise, Beauchamps ensures that its clients maintain access to necessary Court services, as it did in this instance in making the first applications for the appointment of a provisional liquidator since the introduction of the extended Government restrictions.
For more information please contact Barry Cahir (Head of Insolvency and Restructuring) or Simon Murphy.
To discuss any COVID-19 related issues impacting your business, please get in touch with Damian Maloney (Corporate & Commercial), Edward Evans (Corporate & Commercial), Gerry Gallen (Commercial Property), Sandra Masterson Power (Employment), Paul Gough (Employment), Dorit McCann (EU, Competition & Procurement), Aidan Marsh (Commercial Property), Fidelma McManus (Housing), Thomas O'Dwyer (Litigation), Sharon Delaney (Litigation), or your usual Beauchamps contact.