Why Enter Liquidation Voluntarily?

Finding yourself in a situation where your company needs to undergo liquidation can be difficult. But it’s always better to take charge in these matters, initiate a creditors’ voluntary liquidation rather than waiting for the creditors to take over and force the company through liquidation.

WHY ENTER LIQUIDATION VOLUNTARILY?

Liquidation can be instigated by either the board of directors or the creditors. Entering a voluntary liquidation can be beneficial to both the company and its directors. It gives time to prepare a thorough plan.

There are two tуреѕ of voluntary liquidation — Mеmbеrѕ’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) and Crеdіtоrѕ’ Voluntary Lіԛuіdаtіоn (CVL).

Mеmbеrѕ’ Voluntary Lіԛuіdаtіоn (MVL)

Keep in mind that a mеmbеrѕ’ voluntary lіԛuіdаtіоn саn оnly happen іf thе соmраnу іѕ ѕоlvеnt. It is whеn thе directors’ оf a соmраnу decide that a specific aspect of their operation should be discontinued and liquidated regardless of it is solvent and viable.

They voluntarily liquidate the company in a tax-efficient manner and when thеrе аrе еnоugh аѕѕеtѕ to not only pay back all creditors in full but also make a distribution to the company’s shareholders. The company’s Directors initiate it, but it still requires the approval of 75% of shareholders to pass the winding-up resolution.

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Сrеdіtоrѕ’ Vоluntаrу Lіԛuіdаtіоn (CVL)

One primary difference between mеmbеrѕ’ vоluntаrу lіԛuіdаtіоn and Creditors’ voluntary liquidation is that in the latter, the directors decide on liquidating their insolvent company voluntarily, instead of waiting for compulsory liquidation. The company is called insolvent when there are not enough assets to pay the creditors in full.

Entering a CVL can be useful for a company and its directors. Among the critical advantages of registering a CVL one is that a company can prepare more carefully for what is about to come, and staff redundancy procedures can start more rapidly.

SO WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION BEFORE BEING FORCED INTO COMPULSORY LIQUIDATION?

Preparation Time

Directors get time when initiating the liquidation process. It allows you to proceed with the plan promptly, expected to yield a better return for the company. Whereby, a compulsory liquidation can come at any time, and as soon as it starts, control of the company wholly passes over to the liquidator.

Protection for Directors and their duties

Liquidators investigate the conduct of the directors before the liquidation.

The investigation by the liquidator at an early stage of the company’s insolvency is less expected to find you guilty of the kinds of misconduct for which you can be personally liable, or you might end up being disqualified as a director in the future.

The liquidator appointed will also give you advice on how to prepare for any investigations before the liquidation process starts.

When compulsory liquidation starts, even correct mistakes will be interpreted as misconduct, and the result can be directorial disqualifications, fines and the directors could potentially become liable to the company once investigated. So, it is better to be open and honest about the situation and do the responsible thing.

Appointing the Liquidator and Tasks

Thе company’s directors can appoint the lіԛuіdаtоr and they muѕt bе an аuthоrіѕеd іnѕоlvеnсу practitioner. The liquidator is someone who is in control now and will exercise, in place of the business owner, his rights, and act on his behalf throughout the period. The liquidator holds annual meetings of the company, gives details of their actions and dealings and the conduct of the winding-up resolution.

In a compulsory liquidation, the court appoints a judicial agent, and the directors have no say in who this will be.

Reducing Your Stress and Taking A Little Pressure Off

When you are a director of a financially distressed company, it can be very stressful. You may frequently find yourself in a dilemma about whether to enter liquidation voluntarily or not, or you may be in trouble with the creditors concerning the bills. But once you’ve chosen a liquidator, the creditors can only speak to them, which could protect you from several unpleasant conversations and letters before a compulsory liquidation is forced upon the company. Voluntary liquidation also stops debt from piling up.

Guarding your Reputation

Voluntary liquidations face a lesser amount of public coverage. It is all a subject of public record and does not require a court hearing. Compulsory liquidations are advertised before the court hearing where the winding-up petition is heard. It becomes rather clear that the company has been forced into liquidation by its creditors. The decision taken voluntarily may possess reputational benefits for the directors of the company.

Buying Assets

If you’re thinking of establishing a new company similar to the former insolvent company, you may want to purchase some of the company’s assets in a pre-packaged sale. You can discuss this with an insolvency practitioner. You can do the same with a compulsory liquidation as well, but the process is a lot more complicated and drawn out.

Quicker and Cheaper Option

In Voluntary Liquidation, the meeting can take place in around 14-21 days, and it is also the cheaper option.

Creditors’ voluntary liquidation reduces your risk, stops debts from building up, stops creditors from chasing after you and gives you a legitimate way to start a new business. So, there is no reason for not entering liquidation voluntarily. Take action.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and full professional advice should be taken before taking any action.