Whenever a business has been declared insolvent and liquidated,an investigation will be conducted into the what happened in the business leading up to the insolvency. Creditors will then receive partial payment from the liquidated company – normally by a solicitor (liquidator or administrator) who has been appointed to resolve the affairs of the business.
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However,if the investigation finds that the directors of the company did not act in a way that were in the best interests of paying creditors,they can be held personally liable for the remaining amounts that should be paid to creditors. These are referred to as misfeasance claims. There are a number of different actions that are thought to fall under the definition of misfeasance.
What Does Constitutes Misfeasance?
Any deed that is in breach of a director’s fiduciary duty to care for the company,its clients,creditors and the public in general could be considered to be misfeasance. An example is the misappropriation or misapplication of the funds,assets or property of the company that resulted in insolvency or the inability to meet financial obligations to creditors. The following misapplication of funds constitutes misfeasance:
– Preferential payment where one creditor has got their money or has been promised full payment instead to other creditors.
– Selling assets at less than their actual value.
– Concealing assets or removing assets from the business with the intent to prevent them being used to pay creditors.
– Drawing more salary than they should regardless of the failing financial state of the company.
– If the director has actually declared or paid illegal or incorrect dividends.
The breach of duties that are given to a director by the Companies Act 2006,can result in a misfeasance claim by one or more parties.
What Are Misfeasance Claims?
Any creditor that can prove that a director was not following his fiduciary duties resulting in the non-payment or partial payment of the company debt,can claim for misfeasance. The appointed liquidator or administrator will normally check the insolvency as well as the actions of the directors after insolvency for misfeasance. If misfeasance is then been found,a monetary claim in the amount of misfeasance,asset or part compensation (plus interest) can be sought against a director in their personal capacity. If the claim is upheld,the funds will be paid back to the company from which creditors will be paid.
Is There Any Defence Against Misfeasance?
There are a number of defence options that a director can take to protect themselves against a misfeasance claim. One common defence is the Duomatic Principle where a director cannot be held liable as long as they can prove he acted in accordance with a vote by shareholders which make his actions that of the company and liability for the actions the responsibility of the business. A statutory defence is also available where it can be proven that the director was acting in the best interests of the company at the time.
It is vital for directors to know what are misfeasance claims in order to avoid acting in any way that is breach of their fiduciary duty and get legal assistance before acting in a manner that may constitute misfeasance.