Trading While Insolvent Is Illegal
Avoid Personal Liability. We can help you stay out of trouble.
Call Free Expert Advice 24/7Insolvent Trading is Serious
A Director must not allow a company to trade and incur debts when it is insolvent. Failure to comply may lead to the loss of personal assets.
The Insolvency Experts Can Help:
Determine Your Position
Understand the Risks
Provide 24 Hour Support
Know Your Obligations
Insolvent Trading is Illegal. If a director allows a new debt to be incurred knowing the company is insolvent and unable to pay those debts as and when they fall due for payment , the director may be guilty of insolvent trading.
A director found guilty of insolvent trading may become personally liable for the repayment of debts incurred after the company became insolvent – and this may lead to a loss of personal assets and even personal bankruptcy.
Do you need help or want to talk?
Call 1300 767 525 to speak with us, Free of charge, 24 hours a Day, or complete the form below and we will get back to you within 30 minutes!
Call FREE Expert Advice 24/7When is a company deemed to be insolvent?
A company is deemed to be insolvent when it cannot pay its debts as and when they become due for payment.
When determining the questions of insolvent trading, the court will consider the overall financial circumstances of a company as a matter of commercial reality. This means not only will the court review cash flow, but it will also consider the company’s balance sheet, asset values and realisability and the ability of the Company to raise funds in terms of equity or debt.
A company may also be deemed to be insolvent in circumstances where the directors do not cause books and records of account to be maintained. In such cases, a company may be presumed to be insolvent for as long as records were not kept.
What are directors required to do?
Directors must:
- stay constantly aware of the financial affairs and position of the company.
- prepare and review financial information regularly in order to determine that there are reasonable grounds to conclude that the company can repay its debts as and when they fall due for payment.
- if they suspect insolvency, take positive steps to confirm the position of the company and realistically assess the available options.
- seek appropriate advice from a suitably qualified person
- act appropriately and in a timely manner to address the question of solvency
Who can make a claim for Insolvent Trading?
Liquidators may commence a claim for insolvent trading against
directors personally. If such action is not taken, an individual
creditor, with the consent of the liquidator may bring an action for
their individual claims.
What are the Section of the Corporations Act that deal with Insolvent Trading?
Section 588G sets out the directors duty to prevent insolvent
trading and Section 588M provides the process of a legal recovery
claim for a breach of this duty.
What are the defences to a claim for Insolvent Trading?
A director may claim:
- There were reasonable grounds to expect the company was solvent
- The director relied on information being produced by a competent person that lead to the view the company was solvent
- The director, for good reason, was not involved in the management of the company at the relevant time
- The director took all reasonable steps to stop the company from incurring the debt
What are the penalties for insolvent trading?
A director may face civil and criminal sanctions for breaches of
insolvent trading laws.
Firstly, a liquidator or individual creditors may bring proceedings against directors for compensation for the damages incurred.
A director may also face disqualification as a director if they are found guilty of insolvent trading. Further, fines of up to $200,000 as well as imprisonment for up to 5 years may apply.
Free Consultation
Call 1300 767 525 anytime or fill in your details below and one of our expert advisers will get back to you within 30 minutes!
Low Cost Liquidations
Licensed Expert Answers All Calls 24/7
(Not a Call Centre Salesperson!)
Out Story and Key Credentials
We are a specialist insolvency practice providing free 24 hour advice to company directors & individuals throughout all states & territories of australia.
Our highly experienced & trusted professionals are qualified, licensed & regulated by the asic.
Established in 2006, we were the original, low cost liquidation provider and have since helped thousands of directors and hundreds of companies in a wide array of industries.
-
24/7 Helpline 100% of Calls Answered by Qualified Expert – not a call centre
-
ASIC License 296215 since 2006
-
Operating in All States of Australia
-
30+ Years Experience
-
1,500+ Directors Assisted Annually
-
85% of liquidations effectively completed within 4 – 6 months
-
Low Cost Liquidation Expert
-
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google Reviews
The Insolvency Experts - Everything you need to know - Free of charge and without obligation
The Ultimate Guide To Insolvency
Uncover POWERFUL TRUTHS about liquidation that others won’t tell you
