JOHN HODGKINSON
Kreisson is often asked by trade suppliers, professional consultants, and subcontractors in the
building and construction industry to help recover unpaid debts from ‘phoenix’ operators.
Illegal phoenix activity involves the creation of a new company to take over an existing business for
often less than market value. After it has been stripped of its assets, the business is liquidated. Its
ultimate owners are not held responsible for unpaid debts, taxes and employee entitlements.
The construction industry has a greater credit risk from insolvencies than any other industry–- it
accounts for 20-25% of all insolvencies in Australia even though it generates less than 10% of GDP.
Illegal phoenix activity hurts suppliers and employees. The Economic Impact of Potential Illegal
Phoenix Activity Report¹ found that in 2015, employees lost $298 million in unpaid entitlements. In
the same year, the government lost around $1,660 million in unpaid taxes which directly hurts the
broader community.
Phoenix activity is not in and of itself illegal. Criminality hinges on the intent motivating the activity.
Federal legislation prohibits company directors and officers from disposing of a company’s assets
with the intention of:
The ASIC website notes that:
“Not all company failures will involve illegal phoenix activity. Genuine company failures do occur. Where a business has been responsibly managed, but fails, that business may continue after liquidation by using another corporate entity without, necessarily, being involved in illegal phoenix activity.” ²
Insolvency practitioners and their lawyers are routinely asked to investigate suspected phoenix activity. Corporations should always be on the lookout for indicators like:
Liquidators and creditors can require the return or restoration of assets that have been stripped from a company. Alternatively, they can seek monetary compensation for the lost value. The corporate regulator also has significant powers to combat criminal phoenix activity.
ASIC actively identifies directors who are repeatedly involved in failed companies. It uses data analytics, conducts surveillance and subsidises liquidators to detect phoenix activity.
Call us early for help collecting the debts justly to you. Our commercially astute lawyers have the knowledge and experience to recover assets that have been stripped from a company.
If you would like assistance or further information regarding phoenix activity, please contact Kreisson on (02) 8239 6500 or at excellence@kreisson.com.au.
This communication is sent by Kreisson Legal Pty Limited (ACN 113 986 824). This communication has been prepared for the general information of clients and professional associates of Kreisson Legal. You should not rely on the contents. It is not legal advice and should not be regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The contents may contain copyright.
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