A Declaration of Solvency is a document that is required to be filed by the directors of a company in a Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL).
This declaration states that, in their opinion, the company will be able to pay its debts in full within 12 months from the date of the declaration. The MVL process is typically used when a company is no longer trading and the shareholders wish to dissolve the company and distribute the remaining assets among themselves.
The Declaration of Solvency is an important step in the MVL process as it provides assurance to creditors and other stakeholders that the company’s debts will be paid in full before the company is dissolved.
This needs to be signed by a director as part of a formal solvent liquidation process.
What is Declaration of Solvency?
A declaration of solvency is where a company wishes to pass a resolution for a Members voluntary liquidation process. The directors, or a majority of directors where needs to be greater than two, must make a statutory testimony of solvency.
This is required to be in the prescribed form and state that the directors having made enquiries into the company’s undertakings. The directors have formed the opinion that the company will be able to pay its debts, together with interest at the official rate. This is required to be done within the stated period but not exceeding 12 months.
There are three parts to the full statutory declaration:
- A statement of assets and liabilities.
- The sworn declaration of solvency.
- The endorsement of the proposed liquidator.
This is required to give confirmation of the financial position no earlier than 5 weeks before the winding up resolution is to be made by the shareholders of the company under the Insolvency Act 1986.
Statement of assets and liabilities
The statement of assets and liabilities, sets out the company’s financial position ahead of entering a solvent liquidation. It gives details of the remaining assets in the company less any outstanding creditor balances are listed.
The statutory declaration also sets out the estimated costs of the solvent liquidation and any returns which will be due to creditors. This gives the stakeholders a better picture of their likely return once the capital distribution becomes available.
Sworn declaration of solvency
The statement of affairs, which is supported by a proclamation of truth, this must be testified before a solicitor, practice or notary. This adds additional implications if there are inaccuracies recorded within the document.
The procedure must be testimony by:
- All directors where there are 2 or less.
- The majority of directors where there are more than 2.
The solicitor will charge in the region of £10 per swear to sign the document. The wording of the declaration of solvency must comply with the insolvency legislation and declare as follows:
“We being all / majority of the directors of the company do solemnly and sincerely declare that we have made a full enquiry into the affairs of this company, and that, having done so, we have formed the opinion that this company will be able to pay its debts in full together with interest at the official rate within a period of 12 months, from the commencement of the winding up.”
Endorsement Of The Proposed Liquidator
The appointed liquidator for the MVL process will endorse the document once it has been presented to the stakeholders of the company. From there, resolutions can be passed for the company to enter liquidation.
Once it has been endorsed the declaration will be published and put on the official record of the Companies House if registered in England and Wales.
When the MVL process begins, the company assets will be realised in order to pay the remaining creditors. The balance will then be paid to shareholders via capital distribution.
I have signed a declaration of solvency but since find out my business is actually insolvent?
Falsely signing this type of legal solvency document, regardless if you knew or not, is a criminal offence and is punishable by a fine, disqualification from acting as a director in the future, or even imprisonment in the most serious cases.
You may have confidence that your commitment and obligations to HMRC have been met and that there are no outstanding trade creditors, your thoughts should be turning to consider whether there are any liabilities which could arise following your company being closed.
When considering the potential viability of an MVL for your company, you should firstly talk with a licensed insolvency practitioner with support from your accountant from the initial planning stages is highly advisable.
The will be able to implement a plan and talk you through the process from start to finish, they can also advise the most appropriate method for closing your company based on its financial position if not it should enter into a creditors voluntary liquidation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The importance of the declaration of solvency in a voluntary winding up process requires the directors to swear to their company's solvent nature by signing a declaration of solvency. This verifies the fact that the company is in a position to settle its outstanding liabilities (along with any interest) within a maximum period of 12 months following the beginning of the liquidation.
The MVL statutory declaration of solvency is a key document in the liquidation process for a Members' Voluntary Liquidation. An MVL is a solvent liquidation procedure where, from the outset, it is envisaged that all creditors will be paid in full. What is the importance of the declaration of solvency in a voluntary winding up?
What is MVL statutory declaration of solvency?
Conclusion
A Declaration of Solvency is a crucial document in a Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) as it serves as a legally binding statement made by the directors of a company that the company is able to pay its debts in full within 12 months from the date of the declaration. This declaration is important for several reasons.
It provides assurance to creditors and other stakeholders that the company’s debts will be paid in full before the company is dissolved, which in turn can help to increase the chances of the MVL being approved. Secondly, shareholders have the confidence to vote in favour of the MVL and to distribute the remaining assets among themselves.
Lastly, it is a requirement for the MVL process to be completed successfully. In case of false declaration, the Director can be held liable and it can be considered as a criminal offence. Overall, the Declaration of Solvency is an essential step in the MVL process that ensures the orderly and fair distribution of assets among all stakeholders.
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With over three decades of experience in the business and turnaround sector, Steve Jones is one of the founders of Business Insolvency Helpline. With specialist knowledge of Insolvency, Liquidations, Administration, Pre-packs, CVA, MVL, Restructuring Advice and Company investment.