Unsuccessful enforcement by the creditor implies the existence of a title by which enforcement has been effected, without sequestration resulting in sufficient unencumbered assets for the payment of the outstanding credit.
The majority of Spanish bankruptcy proceedings end in favor of the debtor. The preliminary phases aim to achieve continuity of businesses that are in critical financial situations. Judicial approval is tantamount to a quasi-automatic resolution of a refinancing agreement, which put minority dissenting creditors at major disadvantages.
The legal framework for restructuring and insolvency proceedings governs the reorganization of debt. An insolvency proceeding is an in-court-restructuring procedure that consists of obtaining an insolvency order from a judge. An out-of-court restructuring is where a debtor negotiates directly with its creditors.
In 2014, the Spanish government implemented the out-of-court restructuring procedure through the Royal Decree Law. Its objective is to help debtors avoid bankruptcy by negotiating with their creditors. Given the time and effort it takes, an out-of-court restructuring can be very favourable to both parties.
By the introduction of a new law, the Spanish legal framework on restructuring and insolvency proceedings is more adjustable to a debtor facing bankruptcy. Still, the difficulty of implementing a complete legal framework lies in covering all possible situations of insolvency.
The liquidation of a company in Spain is a legal option chosen in a shareholder’s meeting. It leads to the splitting of the company’s assets after complying with its obligation of payment to creditors.
The Entrepeneurs Act aims to find a different solution for debt collection procedures by facilitating a second opportunity to self-employed workers affected by the debt collection procedure.
The Royal Decree-Act 4/2014 is focusing on the refinancing agreements which may include waivers and capitalisation of debt and deferral payments. These agreements will essentially make the heavy burden of debt much more manageable for businesses.
Three partial reforms of the Spanish Insolvency Law have already been approved by means of Royal Decree-Laws dated on March 2014, September 2014 and February 2015. The three main purposes sought are: enhancement of prepetition restructuring deals; extension of pre-insolvency refinancing agreements to composition agreements and offer a second chance for individual creditors.
A new regime is being introduced in order to give some unapproved refinancing agreements judicial validity. The new regime will enter into force before the effective date of the Real Decree Law; however, the previous regime will still apply unless the parties choose otherwise.
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