Using a Jersey security interest agreement
Creating a Jersey security interest
Rights of secured party on enforcement
Effect of debtor's insolvency on Jersey security interest
As the credit crunch continues to have an impact on the global economy and banking covenants come under greater pressure, lenders are increasingly examining the details of their security packages in order to identify the various enforcement options open to them. Where the security package includes a Jersey law security interest agreement in respect of Jersey situs assets, the provisions of the Security Interests (Jersey) Law 1983 must be taken into account, especially as the enforcement provisions may differ from those applicable under English law security documents.
Using a Jersey security interest agreement
Generally, security over Jersey situs assets, such as shares of a Jersey company, units of a Jersey unit trust (eg, a Jersey property unit trust), bank accounts in Jersey or a portfolio of assets held by a Jersey intermediary, will be created pursuant to the Security Interests Law. Jersey law does not recognise the concept of the floating charge, so it is important to create specific security over material Jersey situs assets, rather than relying on general charging clauses. (This does not restrict the power of Jersey entities to give foreign law floating charges over non-Jersey situs assets).
Creating a Jersey security interest
A Jersey security interest over shares or other securities is created by:
- the secured party or its trustee or agent having possession of the certificates of title; or
- title to the securities being assigned to the secured party or its trustee or agent (together with written notice being given to the issuer of the securities).
A Jersey security interest over a bank account is created:
- where the secured party is also the account bank, by the secured party having control of the account; or
- by title to the account being assigned to the secured party or its trustee or agent (together with written notice being given to the account bank).
A Jersey security interest over rights in a custody account or a custodian agreement is created by title to such rights being assigned to the secured party or its trustee or agent (together with written notice being given to the counterparty).
In each of the above cases the security interest must be created pursuant to a security agreement which must set out certain details, such as events of default, secured obligations and collateral.
The Security Interests Law is silent as to the creation of third-party security, so it is market practice for the collateral provider to enter into a guarantee or covenant to pay to create a primary obligation in favour of the secured party.
There are no perfection steps (eg, public registration of security) to be completed in Jersey under the law, other than the giving of written notice as described above.
Rights of secured party on enforcement
In the event of default (as specified in the security agreement), the power of sale arises. However, such power of sale is not exercisable unless the secured party has served written notice on the debtor specifying the event of default. If the particular event of default is "capable of remedy", the notice must require the debtor to remedy it; the power of sale is exercisable only if the event of default is not remedied within 14 days of receipt of the notice.
Under the law, an order of the Royal Court is required before the power of sale is exercisable (except in cases where the collateral is cash, negotiable instruments or money in a bank account). However, this requirement can be, and invariably is, waived under the provisions of the security agreement.
The law does not give the secured party a power of appropriation or foreclosure (except in cases where the collateral is derived from cash, negotiable instruments or money in a bank account). Therefore, in those circumstances, the secured party must sell the collateral to a separate legal entity, although there is no restriction on this entity being connected to the secured party.
The secured party is under a duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the sale is made within a reasonable timeframe and for a price corresponding to open market value at the time of sale. The law is silent as to the manner of the sale; this could include private sale or auction. The power of sale applies to collateral held as possessory security, as well as security by way of assignment of title.
On the sale (or appropriation in the case of collateral derived from cash, negotiable instruments or money in a bank account), the proceeds are applied as follows:
- costs and expenses of the sale;
- discharge of any prior security interest;
- discharge of the secured obligations of the secured party exercising the power of sale;
- discharge of subsequent ranking security interests; and
- return of the balance to the debtor or the appropriate insolvency official.
Effect of debtor's insolvency on Jersey security interest
Désastre is the usual Jersey insolvency procedure which can be commenced by creditors. On a declaration of désastre, the viscount, a court official, takes title and possession of the debtor's property. The Security Interests Law does not prevent this, but the declaration of désastre does not affect the power of a secured party to realise or otherwise deal with the collateral. The viscount has the power to apply to the Royal Court for an order for the rights of the secured party in the collateral to be vested in him or her. This is likely to be exercised only if the secured party is dilatory in enforcing its security, to the extent that this has a detrimental effect on the administration of the désastre.
A Jersey company which is insolvent may be wound up voluntarily under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, pursuant to a creditors' winding-up. The directors of an insolvent Jersey company will often take this option to avoid potential personal liability for wrongful trading. As with désastre, the commencement of a creditors' winding-up does not affect the power of a secured party to realise or otherwise deal with the collateral.
Jersey law also recognises the concept of an irrevocable power of attorney given for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of the powers of a secured party under the Security Interests Law or under the provisions of a security agreement. The Powers of Attorney (Jersey) Law 1995 provides that, in such circumstances, an irrevocable power of attorney:
- survives the bankruptcy of the donor;
- has effect notwithstanding any law which, on bankruptcy, vests property of the donor in any other person (eg, the viscount on a désastre); and
- allows the secured party to act as if that other person had given such power of attorney.
It is usual practice for Jersey law security agreements to contain an irrevocable power of attorney.
For further information on this topic please contact Matthew Swan at Ogier by telephone (+44 1534 504 000), fax (+44 1534 504 444) or email ([email protected]).