A scheme of arrangement is a statutory process which permits a company to enter into a compromise or arrangement with its members and/or its creditors, or any class of them, which is approved by the Court.

The scheme procedure is set out in the Isle of Man companies legislation but helpfully sits outside the Isle of Man insolvency regime and can therefore be used by both solvent and insolvent companies.

There is no statutory restriction on the subject matter of a scheme; generally speaking it could be a compromise or arrangement about anything that the company and its creditors or its members may properly agree on among themselves. They can therefore quite conveniently be used for many types of company reorganisations including, but not limited to: a reorganisation of share capital; a merger or consolidation of two or more companies; a separation of two or more businesses carried on by a company; the transfer of any part of the assets or business of a company; a release or compromise of secured and unsecured debts; a transfer of claims among creditors and/or a return of capital to shareholders.

The scheme must represent a genuine compromise by which the members and creditors obtain some advantage that compensates them for the alteration of their rights.

Schemes therefore represent a useful tool for restructuring both solvent and insolvent companies. In respect of solvent companies, they can provide an opportunity to avoid entering formal insolvency.

In insolvency, liquidators can use schemes to enter into a compromise with a company's creditors in order to ensure a greater return for them, particularly in large and complex insolvencies, by avoiding the usual costs and expenses that would be incurred if the liquidators carried on with the formal insolvency process in the ordinary way. 

A summary of the scheme procedure is as follows:-

  • The directors (or liquidators) of the company must prepare an explanatory statement setting out the background to, and the terms of, the scheme.
  • An application is then made to the Court for an order directing meetings of the members, or different classes of members and/or meetings of the creditors, or different classes of the creditors (the Court meetings). Either of the company itself, a creditor, a member or the liquidator (if the company has been wound up) may apply to Court.
  • After that the company notifies the creditors and/or members of the Court meetings to consider the scheme and sends the explanatory statement setting out the effect of the proposed scheme.
  • At the Court meetings, the creditors and/or members consider whether to approve the scheme. Importantly, in order for the scheme to be approved, a majority in number representing at least 75% in value of those present and voting, either in person or by proxy, must vote in favour of the scheme.
  • In the event the scheme is approved at the Court meetings, a second and final Court hearing is held at which the Court will decide whether to sanction the scheme.
  • Once the scheme is approved by the Court, the Court order and the scheme document are filed at the Isle of Man Companies Registry, together with any other relevant documents, at which point the scheme becomes effective.

A particular benefit of a scheme is that once effective, the scheme is binding on all the creditors and members of each class that approved the scheme including those that voted against it.

The Isle of Man Court has confirmed that its role is not simply to rubber stamp a scheme. They will consider whether: the scheme is fair; the different classes were fairly represented; the statutory majority acted bona fide; and whether an intelligent and honest person, acting in respect of their interest, might reasonably approve the scheme. They do however recognise that the creditors and members of a company are likely to be best placed to consider their own interests.

In DQ's experience, the Isle of Man Court has been receptive to the use of schemes as an expedient and cost effective restructuring tool.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.