In the past, if a business was insolvent and didn’t have enough money or assets to pay its debts, there was little alternative to the company going into receivership, or liquidating the business to repay the creditors. However, these days, the government and the banks are keen to try and help companies in trouble, and a Company Voluntary Arrangement may provide a better solution to debt problems, and help more businesses to survive.
Companies can propose a Company Voluntary Arrangement to their creditors, as a method of formally agreeing how long it will take to repay their debts, and how much they are going to repay. If the creditors accept the CVA, and the company that owes the money keeps up with the payment schedule in the arrangement, there are a number of benefits.
Company Voluntary Arrangements are often the preferred option for businesses in trouble, because they will still be able to operate, as long as they comply with the terms of the CVA. How much money they have to repay could also be less than the full debt, and the CVA is a better option for creditors than liquidation, where they might actually recoup a significantly smaller amount of the money owed to them. A Company Voluntary Arrangement also means there will be no additional action taken by creditors to recover their money, as long as the company meets the terms of the Arrangement. A CVA is also a much less expensive than if the company chose to go into Receivership or Administration.
In order for a Company Voluntary Arrangement to be agreed, 75% of the business’s creditors need to be happy with the debt repayment proposal in the arrangement, which then means all of the company’s debts would then be covered by the arrangement. To ensure that creditors agree to a CVA, it is therefore important that a business puts forward as fair and honest a proposal as possible. It’s in the interest of the creditors and the company with the debts to make sure a CVA is agreed, and that it will work.
As an alternative to Receivership and Liquidation, Company Voluntary Arrangements are preferred by many creditors, who are likely to get more of their money back, as well as businesses in debt, because it gives them the protection and opportunity to trade out of their debt problems. If your business is affected by insolvency and you feel a CVA may be your best option, make sure you get advice from a professional as soon as possible. They will do everything they can to advise you on CVAs and the best way to make sure your business survives.