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United Kingdom

Debenhams CVA challenge largely dismissed: future rent can be compromised; reduced rent not unfair; landlords’ right of re-entry cannot be varied (England and Wales)

Published on: 20 September 2019

Published by a LexisNexis Restructuring & Insolvency expert
Legal News
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Article summary

Discovery (Northampton) Ltd and others v Debenhams Retail Ltd and others [2019] EWHC 2441 (Ch), [2019] All ER (D) 67 (Sep)

What are the practical implications of this case?

Debenhams’ restructuring proceeds, with the CVA surviving strong landlord objections. The judgment offers useful clarification on CVAs:

  • future rent liabilities can be compromised within a CVA
  • reducing future rent under a CVA does not automatically make it unfair; the court evaluates the proposal in the round
  • a CVA cannot alter a landlord’s right of re-entry

What was the background?

Six landlords brought a challenge to Debenhams’ CVA under section 6(1) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986). Their leases were for 30 years, with automatic rent increases for the first ten years, followed by five-yearly upwards-only reviews. Debenhams’ directors advanced the CVA to tackle unsustainable property costs by compromising future rent and business rates liabilities. Sports Direct International Plc initially joined as co-applicants but were removed for lack of standing as they were...

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