Question
Rapid StopLimited (Rapid Stop) is a manufacturer, distributor and supplier of Motor Vehiclealternators. Rehan is a director of Rapid Stop. He was formerly the managing
Rapid StopLimited ("Rapid Stop") is a manufacturer, distributor and supplier of Motor Vehiclealternators. Rehan is a director of Rapid Stop. He was formerly the managing director of Rapid Stop. Rehan has not been re-appointed as managing director, however he continues to act as managing director with the knowledge and acquiescence of the board of directors.
Due to the abundance of cheaper imported alternators from other countries, the demand for Rapid Stop'smore costly car alternators has decreased. Some of Rapid Stop's major clientshave reduced or cancelled their orders, which has affected Rapid Stop's cash flow significantly. All ofRapid Stop's assets have been given assecurity to its bank for the loan provided by the bank to Rapid Stop. The bank has refused to supply Rapid Stop with further finance and the company has been unable to find alternative ways of raising capital. In March 2020 Rapid Stop's major client goes into liquidation. This putsRapid Stop's cash flow under furtherpressure and the company therefore delays payments to its creditors. The creditors initially do not enforce payment, but most of the creditors begin to put Rapid Stopon 'cash on delivery' ('COD') terms whereas theyhad previously allowed at least 30 days' credit. Other creditors even send lawyers' letters threatening tocommence legal action against Rapid Stop to enforce payment of the debts owing. Certain cheques given to creditors as payment are dishonoured, in other words they'bounce'. The company taxes of $105 million aredue and payable by the end of July. On the 1stAugust 2020, Rehan enters into a contract for the relining of a blast furnace used in the production of the steel casings of their products as, without the repair being done, the production of alternators by Rapid Stop would come to a halt. Rehan does not consult the board of
directors before entering into the contract and the other directors are unaware of the existence of the contract. The cost of the repair is $50 million, leaving Rapid Stop with assets of only $75 million. As at the date of completion of the repair, the company taxes remain unpaid and no extension of time has been agreed to by the Australian Taxation Office. The other directors deny that Rapid Stop is bound by the contract.
REQUIRED:
With the aid of the IRAC legal problem solving approach advise Rehan in detail whether he has breached the insolvent trading provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) including whether he could successfully raise any defence.
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