MODEL LAW ON SECURED TRANSACTIONS (MLST)
The Model Law was prepared by John L. Simpson and Jan-Hendrik M. Röver with assistance from Andre Newburg
(General Counsel), John L Taylor (Deputy General Counsel) and other members of the Office of the General Counsel of the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The project has had the benefit of the knowledge and experience of an
Advisory Board of twenty academic and practising lawyers (see page viii). The drafting team is grateful for the many
comments on the two previous working drafts of the Model Law and on its work generally that it has received from
interested parties in central and eastern European countries and elsewhere.
The EBRD gratefully acknowledges that the Secured Transactions Project is financed by the UK Know-How Fund and that
the initial production of the Model Law was financed by the Japan-Europe Cooperation Fund which is a grant fund
established by the Government of Japan with the Bank. The Model Law was produced following a Round Table discussion
jointly sponsored by the Japan-Europe Cooperation Fund, the Corporation of London and British Invisibles, at the
European Bank's Second Annual Meeting in April 1993.
 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 1994
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the written permission of the copyright holder. Such written permission must also be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system
of any nature.
This document has not been approved by the Board of Directors as the official position of the Bank.
Published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
One Exchange Square, London EC2A 2EH
CONTENTS
Introduction V
A Legal System for Secured Transactions in Market Economies in Transition
An Introduction to the European Bank's Model Law on Secured Transactions
Members of the Advisory Board viii
Note on Terminology x
Model Law on Secured Transactions and Commentary 1
Part 1. General Provisions.............................................................................................................................................1
Article 1. Nature of a Charge................................................................................................................................1
Article 2. Person Giving a Charge........................................................................................................................1
Article 3. Person Receiving a Charge...................................................................................................................2
Article 4. Secured Debt ........................................................................................................................................2
Article 5. Charged Property..................................................................................................................................4
Part 2. Creation of a Charge.........................................................................................................................................7
Article 6. General Rules for the Creation of a Charge..........................................................................................7
Article 7. Charging Instrument.............................................................................................................................8
Article 8. Registered Charge...............................................................................................................................10
Article 9. Unpaid Vendor's Charge....................................................................................................................12
Article 10. Possessory Charge ..............................................................................................................................13
Article 11. Additional Registration.......................................................................................................................13
Article 12. Charge of a Debt.................................................................................................................................14
Article 13. Charge of a Contractual Obligation other than a Debt........................................................................15
Article 14. Rights and Defences ...........................................................................................................................15
Article 15. Rights and Obligations of Chargor and Chargeholder........................................................................16
Article 16. Charge Manager..................................................................................................................................17
Part 3. Involvement of Third Parties........................................................................................................................19
Article 17. Priorities between Chargeholder.........................................................................................................19
Article 18. Transfer of a Secured Debt .................................................................................................................20
Article 19. Legal Licence to Transfer Charged Property ......................................................................................21
Article 20. Contractual Licence to Deal in Charged Property ..............................................................................22
Article 21. Third Party Acquiring Charged Property............................................................................................23
Part 4. Enforcement and Termination .....................................................................................................................26
Article 22. General Rules on Enforcement ...........................................................................................................26
Article 23. Measures for Protection of Charged Property.....................................................................................28
Article 24. Measures for Realisation of Charged Property...................................................................................29
Article 25. Enterprise Charge Administration ......................................................................................................30
Article 26. Purchaser from Chargeholder or Enterprise Administrator ................................................................34
Article 27. Proceeds Depositary ...........................................................................................................................35
Article 28. Distribution of Proceeds of Sale.........................................................................................................37
Article 29. Court Remedies on Enforcement........................................................................................................39
Article 30. Damages .............................................................................................................................................41
Article 31. Insolvency Principles..........................................................................................................................41
Article 32. Termination of a Charge.....................................................................................................................41
Part 5. Registration ........................................................................................................................................44
Article 33. Supplementary Registration Statement...............................................................................................44
Article 34. Registration Procedure .......................................................................................................................47
Article 35. Access to the Register.........................................................................................................................48
Schedule 1 Charging Instrument (Article 7.2 MLST) .............................................................................................50
Schedule 2 Registration Statement (Article 8.3 MLST) ...........................................................................................51
INTRODUCTION
A Legal System for Secured Transactions
in Market Economies in Transition
An Introduction to the European Bank's
Model Law on Secured Transactions
Secured transactions play a vital role in financing in emerging and transitional market economies. Every commercial investor is interested
in making a profit from his investment but in many cases the first fundamental concern is to obtain protection against loss of the
investment. A legal framework for secured transactions is a key requirement in creating an investor-friendly climate. An investor who
knows that he has legally recognised rights to turn to his debtor's assets in case of non-payment may assess the investment risk quite
differently. It may influence his decision whether to invest or not; it may also change the terms on which he is prepared to invest (typically
by lowering the interest rate on a loan). There is a direct relationship between the legal framework and the attitude of the investor. If there is
a law on secured transactions which is seen to give practical protection and remedies in the case of non-payment of a debt then security can
become a major part of the investment decision, both for local and international investors. If the investor is not persuaded that the law gives
real protection and remedies then it becomes irrelevant.
Shortly after the European Bank was established in 1991 it became evident that central and eastern European countries needed particular
support in the strengthening of the legal framework for secured transactions.
A Round Table discussion at the First Annual Meeting in 1992 in Budapest indicated clearly that most countries either did not have any
rules on secured transactions at all or had to rely on outdated rules from pre-communist regimes. After that meeting the Bank set up its
Secured Transactions Project and produced a first `working drafť for a Model Law on Secured Transactions for the Bank's Second Annual
Meeting in April 1993 in London. At that meeting a Round Table discussion on the Model was led by the Projecťs Advisory Board. The
year since then has been spent in wide consultations, both within the region and outside, and in developing the working draft into the final
text of the Model Law on Secured Transactions to be presented at the Third Annual Meeting of the Bank in St. Petersburg in April 1994.
Why a model law? If the European Bank's contribution in the area of secured transactions was to be effective it had to be rapid and
practical. It also had to recognise that the precise needs and the legal traditions of each country are different. It would have been possible
just to give general advice; but the advice has to be applied and it is often only from the practical drafting of a law that the nature and
extent of the legal issues is properly understood. The Bank therefore decided that it would be more efficient, and of more help to those
seeking to develop their own laws, if it drew up a guide in the form of a model law. The Model is not intended as detailed legislation for
direct incorporation into local legal systems. It is, however, intended to form the basis for national legislation. It seeks to combine carefully
worded and detailed legal text with a high degree of flexibility to enable adaptation to local circumstances. The principal perspectives are
both to harmonise the approach to security rights legislation and to provide guidance as to expectations of international investors and
lenders.
The Model is based on comparative work and has been influenced by a number of legal systems. This was made possible through the
support of an international Advisory Board. The members (listed on page viii) have made available to the project the benefit of their
knowledge and experience and the Bank is greatly indebted to them and to the many others who have contributed views, suggestions and
critique. The draftsmen of the Model have combined a civil law and a common law approach and have sought to draw on a broad range of
legal and practical sources both in central, eastern and western European countries and elsewhere in the world.
One principle which has guided the drafting of the Model has been to produce a text which is compatible with the civil law concepts which
underlie many central and eastern European legal systems and, at the same time, to draw on common law systems which have developed
many useful solutions to accommodate modern financing techniques. This aim underscores the economic function of a law on secured
transactions. If the Model has in places departed from some of the traditional legal concepts of secured transactions found in laws which
date from times when financing had a less important role, it is with a view to achieving a result which is economically efficient for both
lender and borrower. The lender must obtain real benefit from holding security but not at the expense of depriving the borrower of the use
of the assets given as security or the flexibility needed to operate an efficient business. Although the Model should be the basis for modern
legislation covering a wide range of sometimes complex matters it had to be kept simple in order to be of practical use for market
economies in transition. The Model Law is, therefore, a basic system on which more sophisticated rules can be developed.
Several features of the Model Law should be noted:
1. Single Security Right
The Model Law is based on the idea of a single security right (a `charge') in respect of all types of things and rights. The
distinction between various traditional types of security rights, such as pledges of movables, pledges of rights, and mortgages is
merged in one right.
2. Right in Property
A charge under the Model Law is a property right and not a mere obligation. The right entitles the person receiving security to a
sale, in enforcement proceedings, of the things and rights taken as security and gives preference over unsecured creditors in
insolvency proceedings.
3. Securing Business Credits
The Model is limited to securing business credits since this is the area of the most pressing need. It could be extended to cover
personal and consumer transactions in countries where adequate rules on consumer protection exist.
4. Minimum Restrictions
The parties to the charge are given a maximum flexibility to arrange their relationship as best suits their particular needs.
Mandatory requirements and restrictions on what the parties can agree have been kept to a minimum.
5. Flexible Definition of Secured Debt and Charged Property
There is also great flexibility in the way in which the parties can define the debt or debts which are secured and the things and
rights which are given as security. In both cases they can be described specifically or generally, they can be present or future and
they can change during the life of the charge. It suffices that they are identified at the outset.
6. Public Registration
The Model works on the principle that charges are a matter for public knowledge. Since Roman law the creation of secret rights
in assets has been disfavoured. A person who gives assets as security but does not indicate this to his creditors creates an
impression of `false wealth'. The Model achieves publicity mainly by relying on registration of charges at a separate registry.
7. Broad Rights of Enforcement
Enforcement relies in the first instance on self help, the person holding the charge being given broad but clearly defined rights to
sell the charged property in whichever way he considers most appropriate. This is supported by the right of any interested party to
apply to the court for protection and to claim damages from the person enforcing the charge for any loss suffered as a result of
wrongful or abusive enforcement. The interests of persons entitled to the proceeds of sale are further protected by distribution
being made through a proceeds depositary
8. Sale of Enterprise
Where the charge covers all the assets of an enterprise there is the additional remedy of selling the enterprise as a going concern,
which may enable an enterprise in financial difficulties to be salvaged while increasing the recovery of the secured creditor. This
is a complex area which will require development in each jurisdiction, in particular to take account of insolvency laws, but the
Model seeks to give at least a preliminary indication of how such a system might work.
9. Practical Application
A number of provisions have been included in the Model to cover practical matters which often cause difficulties in secured
transactions, such as the inclusion of a `charge manager' and a definition of the continuing licence of the chargor to deal in the
charged property.
The law itself is divided into five main parts. Part 1 contains general provisions which set out who can give a charge, who can receive a
charge, and general rules concerning the secured debt and the charged property.
Part 2 deals with rules on the creation of charges and introduces the general distinction between registered charges which have to be
registered at a charges' registry, possessory charges for which registration is not required but where the chargeholder takes and must retain
possession of the charged property, and unpaid vendor's charges which protect suppliers of goods who seek retention of title. Part 2 also
contains rules about the defences of a chargor against a charge and the rights and obligations of chargor and chargeholder and introduces
the idea of a charge manager who is designed to stand in the place of the chargeholder for most dealings concerning the charge.
Part 3 provides for the cases where third parties are involved, in particular the priorities between different chargeholders, the transfer of a
secured debt (and a charge), the licence of the chargor to deal in the charged property and the acquisition by third parties of things or rights
which are subject to a charge.
Part 4 sets out a system of enforcement proceedings. The Model allows the person taking security to enforce the charge immediately after
a failure to pay the secured debt. There is no requirement of a court order to enable the chargeholder to enforce his charge and the Model
allows considerable flexibility to the person enforcing a charge while including protections against abuse.
The rules on enforcement have to interface with local insolvency laws and will have to be adapted to local procedural rules. It is vital that
appropriate provisions on enforcement be included. Without a clear right to enforce, the chargeholder is deprived of his remedy and a
charge becomes valueless.
Part 4 of the Model is completed by a definition of the different events which cause a charge to terminate.
Finally, Part 5 sets out rules for registration at a separate charges' registry. Again these will need to be supplemented according to the
needs of each country. It is of particular importance that registration does not involve cumbersome procedures but remains a simple, low
cost administrative act.
The Model is designed to provide a fair balance between the competing but legitimate interests of debtor, secured creditor and other parties.
Such a system should be comprehensive, with different parts being dependent on each other. It is not sufficient for central and eastern
European countries to have a law on secured transactions: it has to be a law which works and the Model will have to be adapted to interface
with local law, for example in the areas of contract law, land law, company law, court procedures and insolvency rules. In places the Model
may give an indication of how that interface may occur but the draftsmen intentionally have limited the Model to secured transactions.
This publication contains the full text of the final version of the European Bank's Model Law on Secured Transactions and a practical
commentary which gives a short explanation of the concepts developed in the Model and the way that it may work in practice. Time was of
the essence for this project. The Model had to be produced quickly and although 18 months may seem a long time, it was not for those
working directly on the project. The `finaľ version of the Model will, it is hoped, remain a living text which can be developed further as
experience is gained in using the Model to develop national laws.
The Model aims to assist central and eastern European countries in multiple ways. Now that the drafting has been completed the task ahead
is to use the Model as a basis from which national laws can be developed; the way that this is done will vary from country to country. In
several jurisdictions the drafts of the Model Law have already contributed to the process of producing new legislation. The level of interest
that has been shown in the project gives us confidence that sufficient momentum will be generated to move from the Model Law to national
legislation as part of the transition towards open market-oriented economies. It may also be that this exercise of developing modern
legislation for secured transactions in central and eastern Europe will provide useful lessons for other parts of the world.
John L. Simpson Jan-Hendrik M. Röver
MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD
Professor David E. Allan, Professor at Bond University
(Queensland, Australia)
Mr Juan F. Armesto, Partner, Uría & Menéndez
(Madrid, Spain)
Professor Dr Milan Bakes˘, Partner, Bakes˘, Sekyra a spol.
(Prague, Czech Republic)
Professor Mark M. Boguslavsky, Main Specialist of the Institute for State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Legal Adviser of the Russian Parliament, Senior Partner, Law Firm `JuS Ť
(Moscow, Russia)
with the assistance of Dr Olga V. Vorobieva, Senior Legal Researcher of the Institute for State
and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Partner, Law Firm `JuS Ť
(Moscow, Russia)
Professor Ronald C. C. Cuming, Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, College of Law
(Saskatoon, Canada)
Professor Dr Jan Hendrik Dalhuisen, Executive Director, IBJ International plc,
Professor of International Commercial Law at Utrecht University
(The Netherlands)
Professor Aubrey L. Diamond QC, Professor at the University of Notre Dame, London Law Centre
(London, United Kingdom)
Professor Dr Ulrich Drobnig, Director at the Max-Planck-Institute for Foreign and International Private
Law
(Hamburg, Germany)
Mr John Edwards, Partner, Linklaters & Paines
(London, United Kingdom)
Professor Christian Gavalda, Director of the Business Law Research Centre,
University Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne)
(Paris, France)
Mr Marcello Gioscia, Partner, Studio Legale Ughi e Nunziante
(Rome, Italy)
Professor Dr Atilla Harmathy, Professor at Eötvös Loránd University
(Budapest, Hungary)
Professor Mary E. Hiscock, Professor at Bond University
(Queensland, Australia)
Dr Jacques Périlleux, Partner, De Bandt, van Hecke & Lagae
(Brussels, Belgium)
Mr Hugh S. Pigott, Senior Fellow in International Banking Law at Queen Mary and
Westfield College,
University of London, former Partner, Clifford Chance
(London, United Kingdom)
Professor Stanisľáw Soľ´tysin´ski, Professor at A. Mickiewicz University (Poznan´),
Partner, Soľ´tysin´ski, Kawecki & Szajkowski
(Warsaw, Poland)
Mr Ken Tsunematsu, Partner, Tsunematsu Yanase & Sekine
(Tokyo, Japan)
Mr Philip R. Wood, Partner, Allen & Overy
(London, United Kingdom)
Mr John Young, Partner, Cravath Swaine & Moore
(USA)
Dr Peter Zier, Partner, Nörr, Stiefenhofer & Lutz
(Munich, Germany)
NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY
The choice of terms was necessarily a compromise. We have sought to use terms which will not mislead but we are aware
that expressions will bear different connotations to lawyers from different jurisdictions. The model has been prepared
drawing on the experience of many lawyers from many jurisdictions and, therefore, terms used should be read generally and
detached from particular meanings they may have acquired in the context of a specific law.
`Property' has a wide meaning to some but implies land or real estate to others; we refer often to `things or rights'. The
model covers security or `charges' over anything which is capable of being owned; `ownership' is another example of a
concept which must be interpreted broadly. `Persons' includes natural persons and legal persons. The time we spent
discussing and deciding terminology has been rewarding in that it has led to closer analysis of many concepts. The model
will, however, be translated and that process will inevitably involve the use of terms in other languages which are not perfect
equivalents. There comes a stage, therefore, in the context of a model law at which further examination of exact meanings is
counter-productive.
Although we have resisted the temptation of including a detailed definitions section some terms have had a precise meaning
attributed to them, in particular the following:
Charge.................................................. Article 1.1
Chargor ................................................ Article 2
Chargeholder........................................ Article 3.1
Secured debt......................................... Article 4.1
Charged property.................................. Article 5.1
Enterprise charge.................................. Article 5.6
Registered charge......................Articles 6.2 and 8
Unpaid vendor's charge...............Articles 6.3 and 9
Possessory charge....................Articles 6.4 and 10
Charging instrument............................. Article 7.1
Registration statement.......................... Article 8
Charge manager ................................... Article 16
Enforcement notice .............................. Article 22.2
Enterprise administrator....................... Article 25.5.1
Proceeds depositary.............................. Article 27.1
Supplementary registration statement .. Article 33
Customs vary as to the inclusion of cross-references in legal texts. Although they can help to hold the text together for the
uninitiated reader and to enable him to see relationships between provisions they can make a law hard to read. Many crossreferences
have been included in the model in order to facilitate comprehension but this practice does not necessarily have
to be followed for national laws.
Part 1. General Provisions
Article 1. Nature of a Charge
1.1 Things and rights may be encumbered by the owner with a
security right (called a charge) in order to grant security
for a debt.
1.2 This law does not prevent a security right arising
1.2.1 by operation of law or by judicial or
administrative act; or
1.2.2 pursuant to [specific exceptions to be
determined separately for each jurisdiction].
Article 2. Person Giving a Charge
Any person may grant a charge over his things and rights except
that a natural person may grant a charge only as part of his business
activity and only over things and rights used for that activity at the
time of creation of the charge pursuant to Article 6.7. The person
granting the charge is called the chargor.
Article 1
1.1 The model creates a single form of consensual security
right which is a right in property (right in rem). The term
`charge' is used because it is probably the most general
and neutral expression in English to cover consensual
security rights.
1.2 The model does not attempt to exclude other methods of
creating security. These may be:
* a security right which arises without requiring any
agreement between the parties (1.2.1), for example in
many jurisdictions the repairer of a machine has a lien
over the machine in respect of the cost of the repair;
* under existing laws in a jurisdiction (1.2.2): where
security laws exist any new law may replace them or it
may be designed to fit around them;
* by the granting of other rights in respect of property:
there are many techniques which may achieve a similar
effect to the granting of a charge under the model (for
example, financial leasing contracts, outright transfers
of title, assignments of debts); these are not within the
scope of the model. The model does, however, cover
retention of title clauses by treating them as an unpaid
vendor's charge (see Article 9).
Article 2
Since domestic and consumer financing give rise to issues
of consumer protection which are not addressed in the
model it excludes charges by a natural person other than as
part of his business activity. However, for jurisdictions
where adequate consumer protection laws exist it would be
possible to extend the model to cover individuals acting in
a non-business capacity.
The person giving the charge must be the owner of the
charged property (see also Article 6.5.1). If a person has the
right to transfer title to something, then he also has a right
to charge it (see also Articles 5.2 and 5.3). In the case of an
enterprise charge, the chargor must be a corporate entity
(see Article 6.6). For the time of creation of a charge the
relevant time is as referred to in Article 6.7 and not the time
of deemed creation as referred to in Article 6.8. The chargor
does not have to be the person owing the debt that is
secured (see Article 4.3.1), although he very often will be.
Article 3. Person Receiving a Charge
3.1 A charge may be granted to any person or persons to
whom the debt or any of the debts being secured is owed.
The person receiving the charge or to whom it is
transferred is called the chargeholder.
3.2 The chargeholder may appoint another person (called a
charge manager) to act in his place in relation to a charge
pursuant to Article 16.
Article 4. Secured Debt
4.1 A charge may secure one or more debts (called a secured
debt).
4.2 For the charge to be valid the secured debt must be
capable of expression in money terms whether in national
or foreign currency or monetary units of account or any
combination of these. A charge securing an obligation
which is not yet translated into a money obligation is not
enforceable until this translation occurs.
4.3 A secured debt may be
4.3.1 owed by any person or persons who need not be
the chargor;
4.3.2 identified specifically or generally;
4.3.3 governed by national or foreign law;
Article 3
3.1 The charge is tied to the secured debt (see Articles 18.1,
32.1.2 and 32.1.9) and the only person to whom the charge
can be granted is the person to whom the debt is owed.
Where the secured debt is owed to more than one person
the charge may be granted to a number of chargeholders
(and in that case any act required under the model by the
chargeholder must be performed by or on behalf of each of
them).
3.2 A `charge manager' may be used to facilitate the practical
operation of the charge (see Article 16).
Article 4
4.1 The expression `secured debť has a wide meaning and
depends largely on what the parties agree. It may cover a
single specific debt or several specific debts, a single
category of debts or several categories of debts, or it may
cover any combination (see Article 4.3.2). It may also cover
a permanently changing `pooľ of present and future debts
(see Articles 4.3.4 and 4.4), for example, all monies
becoming payable under a supply agreement.
4.2 A charge is not immediately enforceable until there is
failure to pay the secured debt (see Article 22.1). There
must therefore be a determined or determinable debt for
money. An obligation to supply goods cannot be a secured
debt but the obligation to pay damages for failure to supply
can be. It does not matter that the debt is to be calculated by
using a formula, an index or any other means of
determination provided that it is a debt for money when the
chargor takes any steps to enforce the charge.
4.3.1 Where the charge is not granted by the person who owes
the secured debt the relationship between the chargor and
the debtor is a matter to be determined between them.
4.3.3 The fact that the secured debt is subject to a foreign law
does not in itself affect the creation of a charge, but it will
be relevant in determining the creation, validity and
enforceability of the secured debt on which the charge
depends (see Article 6.5.3).
4.3.4 conditional or future.
4.4 A debt which is created after the date of the charging
instrument will be included in the secured debt if that debt
is identified in the charging instrument.
4.5 The amount of the debt secured by a charge is limited to
the maximum shown on the registration statement pursuant
to Article 8.4.3 or, in the case of a possessory charge, in
the charging instrument pursuant to Article 7.3.3 plus any
additional amounts included pursuant to Article 4.6.
4.6 The following additional amounts are included in the
secured debt unless otherwise agreed between the chargor
and the chargeholder
4.6.1 interest on the secured debt to the extent
contractually payable from the time at which the
charge is created or deemed to be created
pursuant to Article 6.7 or 6.8 until the date of
payment; and
4.6.2 interest on the secured debt payable by operation
of law; and
4.6.3 reasonable costs properly incurred by the
chargeholder in preserving and maintaining the
charged property and in enforcing the charge;
and
4.6.4 damages for any breach of the contract under
which the secured debt arises up to twenty per
cent.
4.6.4.1 of the maximum amount of the
secured debt included in the
registration statement pursuant to
Article 8.4.3 or the charging
instrument pursuant to Article 7.3.3;
or
4.3.4 The debt does not have to exist or be owing to the
chargeholder at the time the charge is granted. For a charge
to be created it is sufficient if the debt is identified in the
charging instrument (see Article 4.4). That identification
can be very general (see Article 4.3.2). For example, a
charge securing a bank facility may cover not only amounts
advanced at the time the charge is created but also
subsequent advances. If an advance is repaid and then readvanced
the charge may still exist.
4.5 Stating the maximum amount is important as it ensures that
the parties have agreed as to the extent of the secured debt,
it gives a meaningful indication to third parties of the
relative importance of the charge and it avoids potential
secret security rights where a charge appears to be of less
value than it actually is. It may also help to preserve the
chargor's ability to grant further charges. It is not necessary
to state the maximum amount in the case of an unpaid
vendor's charge because it is always limited by reference to
the unpaid purchase price (see Article 9.2.1).
4.6 Interest, maintenance and enforcement costs and damages
are included automatically in the secured debt in addition
to the maximum amount. This is included for convenience
and the parties to a charge may agree to exclude or modify
this provision.
4.6.1 This covers interest which is payable contractually, for
example under the terms of a loan agreement.
4.6.2 This covers non-contractual interest, for example where a
court awards interest on the debt claimed.
4.6.4.2 in the case of an unpaid vendor's charge, of the
unpaid part of the purchase price referred to in
Article 9.2.1.
Article 5. Charged Property
5.1 A charge may encumber one or more things or rights
(called charged property).
5.2 Charged property may comprise anything capable of being
owned, in the public sector or in the private sector,
whether rights or movable or immovable things, and
including debts due from the chargeholder to the chargor.
The charged property includes any thing or right which, at
the time of creation of the charge or subsequently, is
attached or related to the charged property and which on a
transfer of ownership of the charged property as described
in the charging instrument would be included with the
charged property by operation of law.
5.3 Things or rights which are not capable in law of being
transferred separately cannot be charged separately.
5.4 A charge is valid notwithstanding any agreement entered
into by the chargor not to charge things or rights except
5.4.1 where the charged property is a contractual
obligation which is not a debt for money; or
5.4.2 as provided under Article 12.6.
An agreement that a contractual right
which is not a debt for money is not
transferable is deemed unless
otherwise provided to be an
agreement that the right cannot be
charged.
Article 5
5.1 The expression `charged property' has a wide meaning and
depends largely on what the parties agree. It may cover a
single specific item or several specific items, a single
category of property (for example, all raw materials in a
warehouse) or several categories (for example, all raw
materials and all finished products), or it may cover any
combination (see Article 5.5).
5.2 A charge may be granted over things or rights of all kinds.
Where the chargeholder owes money to the chargor, for
example where a lending bank also holds accounts for the
chargor, the chargor may charge those debts back to the
chargeholder.
If a person has the right to transfer title to something, then
he also has a right to charge it (see also Article 5.3). A
charge may be granted over things and rights in the public
sector in the same way as in the private sector but where the
law restricts the right to transfer things and rights the right
to grant a charge will be similarly restricted (see Article
5.3).
5.3 Since a charge creates rights in property and, in
enforcement proceedings, gives the right to transfer
ownership of the charged property (see Articles 22 to 25),
any provision of law which restricts things and rights being
transferred also operates to restrict their being charged. If,
for example, the law prevents an employer transferring his
rights under an employment contract then those rights
cannot be charged.
5.4 A person taking a charge needs to be assured that there is
no restriction preventing his doing so. In practice he will
need to satisfy himself that the chargor is owner of the
things or rights being charged. Once he has done that he
may assume that they can be charged. If an owner of things
or rights agrees not to charge them, he may be liable to the
person with whom he has made the agreement for any
breach of that agreement but the charge created in breach
will be valid.
There are two exceptions: first, where the charged property
is a contractual obligation (other than a debt for money), for
example obligations of a supplier to the chargor under a
supply agreement or obligations of a builder to the chargor
under a building contract; and secondly, in the case of a
charge of a secured debt where the parties may agree that
the charge of the secured debt does not extend to the charge
given in respect of that debt (see Article 12.6).
5.5 Charged property may be identified specifically (in which
case the charge is a specific charge) or generally (in which case the
charge is a class charge).
5.6 Where a class charge covers
5.6.1 all the things and rights used in an enterprise
which is capable of operating as a going concern;
or
5.6.2 such part of the things and rights of an enterprise
as needs to be transferred to enable an acquirer to
continue the enterprise as a going concern;
the charge may be registered as an enterprise charge
pursuant to Article 8.4.5.
5.7 Charged property may be situated within or outside the
jurisdiction.
5.8 A charge may be expressed to cover things and rights not
owned by the chargor at the time at which the charge is
deemed to be created pursuant to Article 6.8.
5.9 A charge extends to things and rights which become
owned by the chargor after the charge is deemed to be
created pursuant to Article 6.8 if they are identified in the
charging instrument.
5.10 The charged property automatically extends to any rights
of the chargor under any insurance policy which covers
loss or reduction in value of the charged property.
5.5 The charged property may cover a permanently changing
pool of present and future assets, for example inventory
(see Article 5.8). There is no requirement in the model for
items of charged property to be listed individually or
labelled.
5.6 The enterprise charge only relates to corporate entities (see
Article 6.6). The particular feature of an enterprise charge
is that it entitles the chargeholder to the remedy of selling
an enterprise as a going concern
(see Article 25).
5.7 The charged property may be in the jurisdiction where the
charge has been created or outside it. A charge can,
therefore, be taken over things or rights which only come
into the jurisdiction at a later date or which move in and out
of the jurisdiction. The charge is created even if the charged
property is outside the jurisdiction but enforcement rights
will depend on the rules of the jurisdiction where it is
situated at the time of enforcement.
5.8/5.9 A charge may be expressed to cover things or rights which
are not yet owned by the chargor either because they do not
yet exist or because they are owned by another person. A
charge over all the equipment in a factory may also cover
new equipment as it is received. The charge as a right in
property does not exist until the charged property is owned
by the chargor (but once it is owned by him the charge is
treated as if it was created earlier ­ see Article 6.8).
5.10 The right to receive payment under an insurance policy is a
debt to which Article 12 will apply. In order to protect his
rights the chargeholder should notify the insurer of the
charge. The effect of Article 5.10 is to include insurance
rights in the charged property even if the parties have not
provided for that in the charging instrument.
The charged property does not include the proceeds of its
sale. The chargor is under an obligation not to deal in the
charged property (Article 15.2) other than as permitted
under the licence pursuant to Article 19 or 20. If a sale is
made in breach of this obligation things or rights are
generally transferred subject to the charge (Article 21.1)
and the charged property now owned by the acquirer is still
encumbered by a charge. The chargeholder will have a
claim in damages against the chargor for any loss resulting
from the breach (see Article 15.2).
Where a chargeholder wants a charge to extend to property
into which the charged property may be converted or
transformed he should expressly provide for this at the
outset: for example a charge over debts may be combined
with a charge over the bank account into which the debts
are payable; a charge over raw materials may be combined
with a charge over work-in-progress and/or finished
products. The charge over the charged property which is
transformed terminates (Article 32.1.4).
Part 2. Creation of a Charge
Article 6. General Rules for the Creation of a Charge
6.1 A charge may be only
6.1.1 a registered charge; or
6.1.2 an unpaid vendor's charge; or
6.1.3 a possessory charge.
6.2 A registered charge is created by
6.2.1 the chargor and the chargeholder entering into a
charging instrument pursuant to Article 7; and
6.2.2 registration of the charge pursuant to Article 8.
6.3 An unpaid vendor's charge is created pursuant to Article
9.1.
6.4 A possessory charge is created by
6.4.1 the chargor and the chargeholder entering into a
charging instrument pursuant to Article 7; and
6.4.2 possession of the charged property being given
pursuant to Article 10.1.
6.5 A charge is created only if
6.5.1 the chargor as referred to in Article 2 is the
owner of the charged property; and
6.5.2 the chargor has the power to grant the charge at
the time the charge is created or deemed to be
created pursuant to Article 6.7 or 6.8; and
6.5.3 the charge secures a debt as referred to in Article
4.2.
6.6 An enterprise charge may only be created by a [company].
6.7 The time at which a charge over things or rights owned by
the chargor is created is
6.7.1 in the case of a registered charge, the time of
registration of the charge pursuant to Article 34.4
unless the charge was initially created as an
unpaid vendor's charge or a possessory charge in
which case it is the time of initial creation in
accordance with Article 6.7.2 or 6.7.3;
Article 6
Articles 6.1 to 6.4 set out the three ways in which a charge
may be created.
6.4 Possession by itself is not adequate to create a charge: there
has also to be a charging instrument (see Article 7). Where
a person already has possession of the property all that is
needed to create a charge is for the owner and the person in
possession to enter into a charging instrument.
6.5 Fundamental principles which are already stated in Articles
1.1, 2 and 3.1 are that the chargor must be the owner of the
charged property and that the charge secures a debt. Article
6.5 also draws attention to the fact that the chargor must
have the power to charge a thing or right which he may lack
if, for example, he is in insolvency.
6.6 The appropriate term to describe corporate entities will vary
from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but it should cover all legal
persons that carry on commercial activities and can transfer
title to something. There are strong policy arguments
against permitting an individual to charge all or most of his
assets.
6.7 The time of creation of a charge must be clearly
determinable, particularly for deciding priorities (see
Article 17).
6.7.2 in the case of an unpaid vendor's charge, the time
at which title to the charged property is
transferred to the purchaser pursuant to Article
9.1;
6.7.3 in the case of a possessory charge, the later of
possession of the charged property being given
pursuant to Article 10.1 and the date of signature
of the charging instrument by or on behalf of the
chargor.
6.8 Where a registered charge is granted over things or rights
not yet owned by the chargor the charge is deemed to have
been created at the time provided under Article 6.7.1.
6.9 An unpaid vendor's charge or a possessory charge is
converted into a registered charge upon registration in
accordance with Article 8.2.
6.10 A chargor and a chargeholder may agree to add to the debt
secured by a charge, to increase the maximum amount of
the secured debt pursuant to Article 4.5, to add to the
charged property or to convert a charge as described in
Article 5.6 into an enterprise charge. Such addition,
increase or conversion is treated as the creation of a new
charge and is accordingly subject to all the provisions of
this law.
Article 7. Charging Instrument
7.1 The chargor and the chargeholder must enter into an
agreement (called a charging instrument) except in the
case of an unpaid vendor's charge. One charging
instrument may relate to one or more charges.
7.2 The charging instrument may be in the form set out in
schedule 1.
6.8 The charge as a right in property is not actually created and
does not exist until the charged property is owned by the
chargor (see commentary to Articles 5.8/5.9). It would,
however, be unsatisfactory in practice if the time of
creation of a charge were determined separately for each
item of charged property depending on when the chargor
acquired it. The registered charge is, therefore, treated as if
it were created at the time specified under Article 6.7.1
when all the formalities of creation have been completed.
This is particularly relevant when looking, for example, at
questions of priority (see Article 17). Article 6.8 does not
apply to an unpaid vendor's charge or a possessory charge
since creation of the charge requires that title to the
movable thing is transferred to the chargor (in the case of
an unpaid vendor's charge) or that the chargor gives
possession (in the case of a possessory charge).
6.9 An unpaid vendor's charge has a life limited to six months
(Article 9.4.1) and a possessory charge will terminate
automatically when possession ceases (Article 32.1.8).
However, the charge can be extended without changing its
priority by subsequent conversion into a registered charge
(see also Article 9.3 and 10.2).
6.10 The secured debt, the maximum amount of the secured debt
and the charged property are determined at the time of
creation (or deemed creation) of the charge. They can only
be added to or increased by creating a new charge which
consequently has a different priority from the first charge.
Similarly if a charge is to be an enterprise charge it has to
be registered as such at the outset.
Article 7
7.1 A charging instrument is required for a registered charge
and a possessory charge. For an unpaid vendor's charge
there is no need for a charging instrument but there must be
a written agreement between the vendor and purchaser that
the vendor retains title or obtains a security right in the
movable thing (see Article 9.1). Parties may combine
different secured debts or charged property in one charge or
may create several charges in one charging instrument.
7.2 The form of instrument in the schedule is optional.
7.3 In order to be valid the charging instrument must be in
writing and include
7.3.1 identification of the chargor, the person owing
the secured debt (if not the chargor) and the
chargeholder; and
7.3.2 specific or general identification of the secured
debt; and
7.3.3 in the case of a possessory charge, the maximum
amount of the secured debt expressed in national
or foreign currency or monetary units of account
or any combination of these; and
7.3.4 specific or general identification of the charged
property; and
7.3.5 signatures by or on behalf of
7.3.5.1 the chargor; and
7.3.5.2 the chargeholder; and
7.3.6 the date of the charging instrument being the date
of signature by or on behalf of the chargor.
7.4 A charge is not valid unless the charging instrument
contains a statement that the purpose of the document is to
create a charge or such purpose is implied from the
instrument.
7.5 The charging instrument may include such other matters as
the parties agree and may, subject to Article 6.10,
subsequently be amended by the parties. In order for an
amendment to be of effect against third parties it must be
registered pursuant to Article 33.1.1.
7.6 If a charging instrument is signed by a person acting on
behalf of the chargor the charge is valid only if that person
is independent of the chargeholder.
7.3 These are the minimum requirements for a charging
instrument without which it is not valid.
7.3.3 Where the charge is not possessory but registered it is
adequate for the maximum amount to be stated in the
registration statement (see Article 8.4.3); it is not a
requirement for validity that it is in the charging
instrument.
7.3.6 The date of the charging instrument is the date of the
signature of the chargor. If the chargeholder signs at
another time that will not change the date of the instrument.
A chargeholder cannot obtain a charge from a chargor and
then delay its registration by not signing it himself until a
later date. The date of the charging instrument is
particularly relevant in view of the 30 day period provided
under Article 8.1.
7.4 It must be clear from the charging instrument that the
purpose is to create a charge.
7.5 The charging instrument is a contract between the parties.
As well as containing the elements needed for the creation
of a charge it may include such other contractual provisions
as the parties wish. The charging instrument may be
amended provided that the secured debt or charged
property are not added to or the maximum amount is not
increased or the charge is not converted into an enterprise
charge (see Article 6.10). Amendments may be of
importance to third parties, for example the inclusion of a
subsequent restriction of the right to transfer the charge (see
Article 18.1). In that case, however, the restriction would be
of no effect against a third party to whom the secured debt
and charge were transferred unless the amendment had
been registered at the charges' registry.
7.6 In order to protect the chargor the charging instrument and
the registration statement have to be signed by the chargor
himself or by someone acting for him who must be
independent of the chargeholder (see also Article 8.8).
Article 8. Registered Charge
8.1 In order to obtain registration of a registered charge as
referred to in Article 6.2 a registration statement must be
presented at the charges' registry not later than 30 days
after the date of the charging instrument as defined in
Article 7.3.6. If a registration statement is not presented by
that date the charge is not created.
8.2 In order to convert an unpaid vendor's charge or a
possessory charge into a registered charge a registration
statement must be presented at the charges' registry during
the time provided in Article 9.3 or Article 10.2.
8.3 The registration statement may be in the form set out in
schedule 2.
8.4 In order for a registered charge to be valid the registration
statement must include
8.4.1 identification of the chargor, the person owing
the secured debt (if not the chargor), the
chargeholder and the charge manager (if
appointed); and
8.4.2 specific or general identification of the secured
debt; and
8.4.3 the maximum amount of the secured debt
expressed in national or foreign currency or
monetary units of account or any combination of
these; and
8.4.4 specific or general identification of the charged
property; and
8.4.5 in the case of an enterprise charge, a statement
that the charge is an enterprise charge; and
8.4.6 signature by or on behalf of
8.4.6.1 the chargor and the charge manager (if
appointed); or
8.4.6.2 in the case of a registration statement
pursuant to Article 8.2, the
chargeholder; and
Article 8
8.1 Registration has to be within 30 days of the date of the
charging instrument. This avoids the creation of `secreť
charges where the chargeholder takes a charge but does not
register until he chooses. The thirty day period may be
extended where the registrar refuses to register and a new
registration statement is presented (see Article 34.3). The
model does not provide for advance registration. A
chargeholder should in practice ensure that the charge is
registered before lending money or giving credit. It would
be possible to include simple provisions for advance
protective registration which gives a charge priority if
definitive registration is made within a fixed period.
8.3 The form of statement in the schedule is optional.
8.4 If the minimum required information is not included in the
registration statement the charge is not valid.
8.4.1 A charge manager may also be registered subsequently (see
Article 33.1.2).
8.4.2 The identification in the registration statement must
correspond with the identification in the charging
instrument although of necessity it may be shorter.
8.4.3 In the case of a converted possessory charge, this should be
the same as the amount provided in the charging instrument
(see Article 7.3.3). In the case of a converted unpaid
vendor's charge it should be the unpaid purchase price (see
Article 9.2.1).
8.4.4 See commentary to Article 8.4.2.
8.4.5 Without this statement in the registration statement the
charge will not be an enterprise charge and it can only be
changed into one in accordance with Article 6.10.
8.4.6 Where a charge is created directly as a registered charge the
registration statement has to be signed by the chargor (see
commentary to Article 7.3.6). In practice it is likely that the
registration statement and the charging instrument will
often be signed at the same time. Where the charge has
already been created as an unpaid vendor's charge or a
possessory charge the chargor cannot prevent conversion
and, therefore, the chargeholder signs.
8.4.7 the date of the charging instrument except where
an unpaid vendor's charge is converted into a
registered charge; and
8.4.8 any additional information required pursuant to
Article 8.5 or 8.6.
8.5 Where an unpaid vendor's charge is being converted into a
registered charge the registration statement must in
addition to the information required under Article 8.4
include
8.5.1 a statement that the unpaid vendor's charge is
being converted into a registered charge; and
8.5.2 the date on which title to the charged property
was transferred to the chargeholder as referred to
in Article 9.1; and
8.5.3 the date and identification of the written
agreement referred to in Article 9.1.
8.6 Where a possessory charge is being converted into a
registered charge the registration statement must in
addition to the information required under Article 8.4
include
8.6.1 a statement that the possessory charge is being converted
into a registered charge; and
8.6.2 the date on which possession of the charged
property was given pursuant to Article 10.1 if
given after the date of the charging instrument.
8.7 Where there is more than one chargor a separate
registration statement must be presented for each chargor.
8.8 If a registration statement is signed by a person acting on
behalf of the chargor the charge is valid only if that person
is independent of the chargeholder.
8.9 The time of registration is as provided in Article 34.4.
8.4.7 For a converted unpaid vendor's charge the date of the
relevant agreement must be included (see Article 8.5.3).
8.5.2 This determines the time at which an unpaid vendor's
charge is created (see Article 6.7.2).
8.6.2 This is relevant for determining the time at which a
possessory charge is created (see Article 6.7.3).
8.7 Joint owners may grant a charge but in that event the
charge has to be registered against each of them and,
therefore, a separate registration statement for each is
required.
8.8 See commentary to Article 7.6.
8.9 The time of registration is important for determining the
time at which a registered charge is created (see Article
6.7.1).
Article 9. Unpaid Vendor's Charge
9.1 Where at or before the time of transfer of title by way of
sale of a movable thing there is written agreement between
the vendor and the purchaser that the vendor retains title
or obtains a security right in the thing until payment of the
purchase price
9.1.1 title to the thing is not retained by the vendor but
is transferred to the purchaser as if such
agreement does not exist; and
9.1.2 the vendor simultaneously receives a charge over
the thing unless the parties otherwise agree
without any requirement for a charging
instrument or registration.
9.2 A charge created pursuant to Article 9.1 only secures
9.2.1 any part of the purchase price of the charged
property that remains unpaid at the time the
charge is created; and
9.2.2 additional amounts included pursuant to Article
4.6.
9.3 At any time within six months of the date on which an
unpaid vendor's charge is created it may be converted into
a registered charge by registration in accordance with
Article 8.2.
Article 9
9.1 Forms of retention or reservation of title are common in
many jurisdictions to secure credit in trade transactions.
The unpaid vendor's charge replaces reservation of title by
a charge in favour of the unpaid vendor ­ title passes to the
purchaser and simultaneously a charge is given back
automatically in favour of the vendor. The written
agreement referred to in Article 9.1 that gives rise to an
unpaid vendor's charge may refer to the vendor retaining
title or to his receiving a charge: a vendor may expressly
provide that he is to receive a charge as provided under the
law but even if he agrees to retention of title he will still
obtain a charge. The parties do not actually need to be
aware of the provisions of Article 9.
There is no necessity to make any registration in respect of
an unpaid vendor's charge unless it is to extend beyond six
months (see Articles 9.3 and 9.4.1) or an enforcement
notice is delivered (see Article 22.7.1.2). As an unpaid
vendor's charge is not registered a third party dealing with
the purchaser may well, therefore, be unaware of its
existence. The purchaser as chargor is under an obligation
not to dispose of the charged property except under a
licence pursuant to Articles 19 or 20 (see Article 15.2). If
he does, however, the acquirer will normally obtain good
title (see Article 21.2.7). In this respect the unpaid vendor's
charge may give less protection than a registered charge
(see also commentary to Article 23.7.1).
An unpaid vendor's charge, however, gives priority over
other charges pursuant to Article 17.3.
9.3 The unpaid vendor's charge is intended to cover sales on
normal credit terms. In the case of a 90 day credit period
the vendor has a further three months in which to take
action for a failure to pay and, if necessary, to register his
charge. Where the sale is on credit terms which in practice
would not permit enforcement to be commenced in the case
of non-payment within 6 months, a registered charge
should be taken to protect the unpaid vendor.
9.4 An unpaid vendor's charge terminates
9.4.1 six months after the date on which it was created
unless an enforcement notice has been delivered
pursuant to Article 22.2 in respect of the charge
or any other charge over the same charged
property; or
9.4.2 in the other events provided under Article 32.
Article 10. Possessory Charge
10.1 Where the charged property is capable of transfer by
delivery the chargeholder or a person nominated by the
chargeholder or a person holding on terms agreed between
the chargeholder and the chargor may before or after the
date of the charging instrument be given possession of the
charged property by the chargor in which case registration
pursuant to Article 8 is not required.
10.2 At any time while possession as referred to in Article 10.1
continues a possessory charge may be converted into a
registered charge by registration in accordance with
Article 8.2.
Article 11. Additional Registration
11.1 Where additional registration of a charge is required
pursuant to this Article 11 a charge created pursuant
to Article 6 cannot be enforced until such
registration has been made.
11.2 [Add specific requirements for additional
registration to be determined separately for each
jurisdiction.]
Article 10
10.1 A possessory charge can only be granted over property
which is capable of transfer by delivery. Possession by
itself is not adequate to create a charge: a charging
instrument is also required (see Article 6.4.1). Under the
model it would not be possible for any person in possession
of property to be able to claim that he has a charge merely
by reason of possession. Granting a charge is an act with
serious legal consequences and a minimum of formality is
desirable.
There is no necessity to make any registration in respect of
a possessory charge unless an enforcement notice is
delivered (see Article 22.7.1.2).
10.2 If a possessory charge is to be converted into a registered
charge it is important that this occurs while possession
continues. A possessory charge terminates when possession
ceases (see Article 32.1.8).
Article 11
This Article needs to be drafted to fit the particular needs of
each jurisdiction. It is a basic principle of the model that all
registered charges (including charges converted into a
registered charge, see Article 6.9) should be registered in
the same place pursuant to Article 8. In cases where the
charged property is also registered in a different register a
decision is required by each country as to whether charges
need also to be registered there. The most common example
will probably be land but it may also apply, for example, to
ships, aircraft, registered intellectual property and
registered shares.
The formalities for creating the charge must be kept simple.
Any additional registration required under Article 11 can be
carried out subsequent to the creation of the charge but
* it will not be possible to enforce the charge until
Article 11 requirements have been fulfilled; and
* the time of fulfilling those requirements is relevant for
determining the priority of the charge (see Article
17.5); and
Article 12. Charge of a Debt
12.1 Where the charged property is a debt for money the person
owing the charged debt may satisfy it in a manner agreed
with the chargor unless the chargeholder notifies that
person pursuant to Article 12.2.
12.2 The chargeholder may at any time notify the person owing
the charged debt that the charge exists. In that event
12.2.1 the charged debt can be satisfied only by
payment to the chargeholder or to such person as
the chargeholder nominates unless the
chargeholder otherwise agrees; and
12.2.2 the chargeholder may directly pursue the person
owing the charged debt for that debt.
12.3 For a notice given pursuant to Article 12.2 to be valid it
must
12.3.1 be in writing; and
12.3.2 identify the chargor; and
* in the case of an enterprise charge the chargor has a
licence to sell the charged property until those
requirements have been fulfilled (see Article 19.4).
Since the charge is already created prior to Article 11
registration a person acquiring property cannot rely solely
on the register where the property is registered: he must
also look at the charges' register against the name of the
chargor. If he does not and there is a charge over the
property registered on the charges' register he will generally
acquire subject to that charge (see Article 21.1). There is in
particular an exception in the case of an enterprise charge
(see Articles 19.4 and 21.2.1).
Article 12
12.1 A charge over a debt for money may be of little practical
value if the chargeholder cannot be assured of receiving the
debt when it is paid. Articles 12.1 et seq. provide for an
option for the chargeholder to give notice to the third party
debtor; when such notice is given the third party debtor can
only satisfy the debt by paying directly to the chargeholder
who has a direct right to sue for the debt. It is always open
for the chargeholder to agree for payment to be made to
some other person, even after notice has been given (see
Article 12.4).
Once payment of the charged debt is made by the third
party debtor to the chargeholder the debt is satisfied and the
charged property ceases to exist; the charge therefore also
ceases to exist (see Article 32.1.3). The monies received by
the chargeholder reduce the secured debt unless it is not yet
payable; in that case the chargeholder should account to the
chargor subject to any agreement between them. It would
also be possible for a charge to be granted over the payment
proceeds as well as the debt (for example by requiring them
to be paid into a specified bank account and taking a
charge over that account) but this would have to be
expressly provided for.
12.2 The manner in which the notice is given is a matter for the
general law of each jurisdiction.
12.3.3 describe the charged debt either specifically or
generally in a manner which enables the person
owing the charged debt to identify it; and
12.3.4 include clear instructions as to the person to
whom the charged debt is to be paid.
12.4 The instructions given pursuant to Article 12.3.4 may be
amended by a subsequent notice in accordance with
Article 12.3.
12.5 Upon a charged debt being satisfied the charge terminates
pursuant to Article 32.1.3.
12.6 Where the charged property is a secured debt the charge
over the secured debt extends to the charge given in
respect of that debt unless otherwise provided in the
charging instrument for either charge. Where the charged
property is described as the charge given in respect of a
secured debt it is deemed to include that debt.
Article 13. Charge of a Contractual Obligation other than a
Debt
Where the charged property is a contractual obligation which is not
a debt for money the person owing the contractual obligation may
satisfy it in the manner agreed with the chargor unless
13.1 the person owing the contractual obligation has received
notice from the chargeholder pursuant to Article 23.3; and
13.2 the chargeholder exercises the chargor's rights pursuant to
Article 23.3.3.
Article 14. Rights and Defences
14.1 A chargeholder may only claim rights arising out of a
charge if the charge has been created pursuant to Article 6 and has
not been terminated pursuant to Article 32.
14.2 A chargeholder may only claim rights arising out of a
charge in relation to a debt if the charge extends to that
debt.
12.6 The model provides that a charge cannot be transferred
without the debt it secures (see Article 18.1): it cannot,
therefore, be charged unless the secured debt is also
charged and the assumption is made that any transfer or
charge of the secured debt extends to the charge. It is,
however, open to the chargor and the chargeholder of either
the charge over the secured debt or the charge given to
secure that debt to agree otherwise in the charging
instrument. This is one of the exceptions to the principle
that an agreement by the owner of property not to charge it
is not valid against a subsequent chargeholder (see Article
5.4.2).
Article 13
A charge can be taken over personal contractual rights of
any nature. A distinction is drawn between a debt for
money and other contractual rights, for example the rights
under a supply contract or a licensing agreement. Unlike in
the case of a secured debt the obligation and the manner of
its satisfaction are not affected by the charge until
enforcement has commenced; at that time the chargeholder
may exercise the chargor's rights including the right to take
any court action (see Article 23.3). It remains open to the
chargor, the chargeholder and the person owing the
contractual obligation to agree otherwise.
Article 14
Article 14 lists certain basic principles concerning the
creation, validity and enforceability of a charge.
14.1 A chargor can only claim rights and a chargor can only
raise defences if a charge exists. The charge must have been
created (see Article 6) and not been terminated (see Article
32).
14.2 See Article 4.
14.3 A chargeholder may only claim rights arising out of a
charge in relation to charged property if the charge extends
to that property.
14.4 A charge is valid and enforceable only to the extent that
the secured debt is valid and enforceable.
14.5 In any proceedings brought by the chargeholder claiming
rights arising out of the charge
14.5.1 the chargeholder must prove that the charge has
been created; and
14.5.2 the chargor or other party must prove that the
charge has terminated or that any defences which
he claims apply.
14.6 A chargor, any other chargeholder with a charge
over the same charged property or any other party
claiming rights in the charged property who disputes
the creation or validity of the charge or claims that a
charge has been terminated may apply to the court
for a declaration that the charge is not created, is
invalid or has been terminated.
Article 15. Rights and Obligations of Chargor and
Chargeholder
15.1 The chargor and the chargeholder are free to determine the
rights and obligations of each of them except as otherwise
provided by law.
15.2 The chargor is under an obligation not to deal in the
charged property except under a licence pursuant to
Article 19 or Article 20 and is liable to the chargeholder
for any loss suffered as a result of breach of this
obligation.
15.3 The chargor has, except in the case of a possessory charge
and unless otherwise agreed, the right
15.3.1 to make use of or apply the charged property
including to combine the charged property with
any other thing or right, to apply the charged
property in any manufacturing process and,
where the charged property has been acquired for
consumption, to consume the charged property;
and
14.3 See Article 5.
14.4 The chargor may raise against the chargeholder any
defences which relate to the secured debt even if the debtor
is a different person. The model does not make any
reference to the relationship between chargor and debtor. A
chargeholder may enforce his charge against the charged
property pursuant to Articles 22 to 25 without having to
concern himself with the chargor's rights against the debtor
(see commentary to Article 4.3.1).
Article 15
15.1 The basic principle is that the parties may agree rights and
obligations between themselves.
15.2 If a chargor transfers charged property in breach of this
Article he is liable to the chargeholder. For the position of
the acquirer see Article 21.
15.3.1 Unless he specifically agrees the chargor should not be
fettered in the manner in which he uses the charged
property. Where the charged property is combined with
other property or applied in a manufacturing process the
charge may terminate (see Articles 32.1.4); if it is
consumed the charge will terminate (Article 32.1.3). There
may often be circumstances where the parties to a charge
agree restrictions on the use of charged property.
15.3.2 to receive any fruits arising out of the charged
property.
Rights arising pursuant to this Article 15.3 terminate upon
an enforcement notice being delivered pursuant to Article
22.2.
15.4 The chargor and the chargeholder have unless they
otherwise agree the following further rights and
obligations
15.4.1 except in the case of a possessory charge, the
chargor must preserve and maintain the charged
property subject to his right to use it pursuant to
Article 15.3.1. Where possession of the charged
property is passed to a third party the chargor
remains under an obligation to ensure that the
charged property is preserved and maintained;
and
15.4.2 in the case of a possessory charge, the
chargeholder must preserve and maintain the
charged property; and
15.4.3 the party not in possession of the charged
property has a right to inspect; and
15.4.4 the chargor must insure the charged property
against such risks as are habitually insured
against by a prudent person owning similar
things or rights.
Article 16. Charge Manager
16.1 The chargeholder may at any time appoint a charge
manager for a registered charge either in the charging
instrument or in a separate document.
16.2 The charge manager may be a chargeholder or a third
party. Where a charge is granted to more than one
chargeholder the appointment of the charge manager and
any termination of that appointment must in order to be
valid be made by or on behalf of all the chargeholders.
15.3.2 The fruits remain part of the charged property until they are
separated from it (see Article 5.2).
15.4 The parties are free to vary the provisions of Article 15.4 by
agreement.
15.4.4 The obligation to insure is drafted in very general terms and
may need to be adapted to specific jurisdictions. It extends
to charged property under all types of charges including an
unpaid vendor's charge and a possessory charge even if the
chargeholder is in possession.
Article 16
The `charge manager' is more than a mere representative of
the chargeholder; in practical terms he stands in the place
of the chargeholder for the purposes of all dealings with
third parties in relation to the operation of the charge (but
not for transferring the chargeholder's rights to the secured
debt and the charge). This role is likely to be of particular
relevance where the charge is given to a number of
chargeholders, for example a pool of lending banks or the
holders of bonds or where the chargeholder is not resident
in the jurisdiction.
16.1 The appointment may be at the time of creation of a
registered charge or at any time during its life. A charge
manager cannot be appointed for an unpaid vendor's
charge or a possessory charge.
16.2 There are no specific qualifications required to act as
charge manager. Where there are several chargeholders they
may appoint one of their number.
16.3 The powers and obligations of the charge manager are as
provided in this Article 16 and any agreement relating to
those powers and obligations is of effect only between the
parties to that agreement.
16.4 Immediately upon a charge manager being registered
pursuant to Article 8.4.1 or 33.1.2
16.4.1 the charge manager becomes entitled to exercise
in the place of the chargeholder all the rights of
the chargeholder arising under the charge
including but not limited to the right to take
enforcement proceedings pursuant to Articles 22
to 25 but excluding any right to transfer the
secured debt;
16.4.2 the chargeholder ceases to be entitled to exercise
such rights while the charge manager is
appointed;
16.4.3 the charge manager becomes liable to perform all
the obligations of the chargeholder to third
parties arising out of the charge notwithstanding
the continuing liability of the chargeholder.
16.5 When a person is registered as a charge manager pursuant
to Article 8.4.1 or 33.1.2, any act of that person as charge
manager is binding on the chargeholder even if the
appointment of the charge manager is invalid except where
the person claiming against the chargeholder has actual
knowledge at the time of the act of the invalidity of the
appointment.
16.6 The appointment of a charge manager can be terminated
by the chargeholder or the charge manager at any time
subject to any agreement between them. The termination
becomes effective against a third party at the time when he
has actual knowledge of the termination or, if he does not
have such knowledge, at the time when the termination is
registered pursuant to Article 33.1.3.
16.7 Upon any transfer by a chargeholder of the secured debt
extending to the charge the powers and obligations of a
charge manager pursuant to this Article 16 continue and
the charge manager acts in the place of the new
chargeholder.
16.3 A person dealing with the charge manager can assume that
he has the powers and obligations set out in Article 16.
16.4 Registration is the trigger to the charge manager acquiring
his special status. Prior to registration the appointment is
not effective against third parties. In practical terms Article
16.4 means that where a charge manager is appointed the
word `chargeholder' can be read as `charge manager' in all
provisions relating to the rights and obligations arising
under the charge except in relation to a transfer of the
secured debt (see Article 16.4.1). The appointment of a
charge manager may be registered on the charges' register
immediately when the charge is registered (Article 8.4.1) or
subsequently (Article 33.1.2).
16.4.1 The charge manager does not obtain any proprietary right
in the charge and has no power to transfer the secured debt
or the charge.
16.4.2 Where a charge manager has been appointed third parties
have to deal with the charge manager.
16.4.3 If a charge manager fails to fulfil the obligations of the
chargeholder third parties have a direct right against both
the charge manager and the chargeholder. They do not have
ny right to double recovery; the rights as between
hargeholder and charge manager in respect of any liability
o third parties depend on the agreement between them and
n any general provisions of law.
16.5 A third party is entitled to assume that a person registered
on the charges' register as charge manager has been
properly appointed (unless he actually knows that this is not
the case). There is no obligation on him to make enquiries.
16.6 As with the appointment registration is the trigger which
makes termination effective against third parties unless a
person has actual knowledge of the termination.
16.7 A third party dealing with a charge manager does not need
to concern himself with any transfer of the secured debt and
the charge that may have taken place whether registered or
not (see commentary to Article 18.3).
Part 3. Involvement of Third Parties
Article 17. Priorities between Chargeholders
17.1 A chargor may grant more than one charge over the same
right or thing.
17.2 The priority between different charges over the same
charged property is determined in accordance with the
time at which they were created or deemed to be created
pursuant to Articles 6.7 or 6.8 except as otherwise
provided in this Article 17. Where title to a thing or right
is acquired subject to a charge that charge will have
priority over any charge granted by the acquirer.
17.3 An unpaid vendor's charge takes priority over any other
charge granted by the purchaser over the thing transferred.
17.4 A possessory charge over negotiable instruments or
negotiable documents takes priority over any prior charge.
Article 17
17.1 It is possible to have more than one charge covering the
same property. What is needed is clarity as to which charge
has first claim. Article 17 only deals with priorities as
between security rights. Priorities determine the order of
distribution of the proceeds of sale between different
chargeholders (see Article 28.3.4). They also have an effect
on the right to enforce an enterprise charge between
different enterprise chargeholders (see Article 22.7.6).
Priorities other than those under Article 17 may exist in the
case of insolvency; this will depend on the law of each
jurisdiction. However, the existence of such other priorities
may detract seriously from the purpose of the charge if they
give more than very limited rights. Creditors will see little
advantage in taking a charge if it does not give them real
protection in the event of insolvency. It will be necessary to
examine carefully how the model interacts with existing
national law in this area (see also Article 31).
17.2 The general rule is that time of creation determines priority.
Exceptions to this rule are provided in Articles 17.2 in fine
to 17.8. If a system of advance registration is introduced
(see commentary to Article 8.1) this would be a further
exception.
Where the charged property has already been charged by a
previous owner and that charge still survives (see Article
21.1) the charge subject to which title was acquired takes
priority.
17.3 A supplier who relies on the protection of an unpaid
vendor's charge does not have to concern himself with
other charges irrespective of the nature of the charged
property.
17.4 Title to negotiable instruments and negotiable documents
can normally be transferred by delivery of the instrument or
document and a third party taking delivery will acquire free
from any charge (see Article 21.2.6.1). A chargeholder
taking a possessory charge of a negotiable instrument or
negotiable document can, by virtue of Article 17.4, also
assume that his charge will take priority over any other
charge. A chargeholder taking possession of other things
cannot make the same assumption. If they are already
charged his possessory charge will rank behind the existing
charge (see Article 17.2 in fine).
17.5 The priority of a charge over a thing or right to which
additional registration under Article 11 applies is
determined by the later of the time of its creation or
deemed creation pursuant to Articles 6.7 or 6.8 and the
time at which such additional registration is made.
17.6 A security right arising by operation of law for money due
for services in relation to a thing or right held takes
priority over any prior charge.
17.7 [Specific exceptions to be determined separately for each
jurisdiction to cover charges under other laws].
17.8 The priority of a charge may be changed at any time by
written agreement between chargeholders or between the
chargor and a chargeholder. An agreement to change the
priority of a charge is valid only upon written consent
being obtained from
17.8.1 the chargeholder of any other charge which
would cease to have priority over that charge as a
result of the change; and
17.8.2 the chargeholder of any other charge which as a
result of the change
17.8.2.1 would cease to have the same priority
as that charge; and
17.8.2.2 would not acquire priority over that
charge.
Article 18. Transfer of a Secured Debt
18.1 A transfer of a secured debt by the chargeholder extends to
the charge given in respect of that debt unless otherwise
provided in the charging instrument or agreed between the
parties to the transfer. An agreement which provides for
the transfer of a charge is deemed to be a transfer of the
debt secured by that charge. The charge terminates
pursuant to Article 32.1.9 if the secured debt is transferred
without the charge.
18.2 In the case of a transfer of a debt secured by a possessory
charge, the transfer extends to the charge only if at the
time of the transfer
18.2.1 the transferor passes possession of the charged
property to the new chargeholder or a person
nominated by the new chargeholder; or
17.5 Where additional registration pursuant to Article 11 is
required a charge that is created and valid does not become
enforceable in respect of charged property for which
additional registration is required until that registration is
made. It therefore follows that in the meantime another
charge may take priority.
17.6 Many systems of law provide for security rights for persons
who provide services ­ for example, a person who repairs a
machine in respect of money due for the repair. Such
persons do not have to concern themselves with other
charges.
17.7 Where a country's laws already provide for security rights
other than as referred to in Article 17.6 (see Article 1.2.2)
then provisions will be needed to define priorities.
17.8 The priority of a charge cannot be changed by agreement
unless all other chargeholders whose priority would be
adversely affected agree to the change.
Article 18
18.1 Where the parties to a charge agree to restrict the right to
transfer a secured debt with the charge they must include
the restriction in the charging instrument. If they do not the
restriction will not be effective against third parties. A
person wishing to acquire a secured debt can, therefore,
find out if any restrictions exist by looking at the charging
instrument. Since the charge cannot exist independently
from the secured debt (see commentary to Article 3.1) the
assumption is made that parties who state that they are
transferring a charge intend to transfer the secured debt as
well as the charge. For the same reason the charge ceases to
exist upon separation of the secured debt and the charge
(see Article 32.1.9).
18.2 A secured debt can only be transferred with a possessory
charge if possession of the charged property passes to the
new chargeholder at the time of the transfer. If it passes
later the charge will have terminated (see Article 32.1.8).
18.2.2 the transferor agrees to hold the charged
property on behalf of the new chargeholder.
18.3 Where a secured debt which extends to a registered charge
has been transferred the charge is not enforceable unless
18.3.1 the transfer is registered pursuant to Article
33.1.4; or
18.3.2 a charge manager is registered in respect of the
charge pursuant to Article 8.4.1 or 33.1.2.
18.4 The chargor may claim any defences which he has against
the transferor also against the new chargeholder.
18.5 A transfer of a secured debt which extends to the charge
automatically extends also to all rights of the chargeholder
under the charging instrument unless otherwise provided
in the charging instrument or agreed between the parties to
the transfer.
18.6 Where only part of a secured debt and a charge is
transferred the new chargeholder becomes entitled to the
charge and any transferred rights under the charging
instrument jointly with the transferring chargeholder up to
the amount of the secured debt transferred.
18.7 A transfer of a secured debt by operation of law
extends to the charge given in respect of that debt.
Article 19. Legal Licence to Transfer Charged Property
19.1 The chargor has a licence to transfer title to the charged
property by way of sale free from the charge in the terms
set out in this Article 19 except in the case of a possessory
charge.
19.2 The chargor may transfer title to items of his charged
trading stock by way of sale in the ordinary course of his
trading activity.
18.3.1 Provided that the charges' register shows the existence of
the charge it does not matter whether the identity of the
current chargeholder is available to third parties or not until
he wants to exercise rights of enforcement.
18.3.2 Where a charge manager has been appointed the identity of
the current chargeholder is not relevant even at that stage
since the charge manager and not the chargeholder has the
right to enforce (see Article 16).
18.5 A charging instrument, as well as being the constitutive
document of the charge, may also create contractual
obligations of the chargor towards the chargeholder. The
rights of the chargeholder arising out of such obligations
are transferred with the secured debt by law unless
otherwise agreed.
18.6 Since the secured debt need not be a single indivisible debt
the model covers the case of sharing in the charge where
the secured debt is split between different creditors.
18.7 Where the transfer of the secured debt is not made by the
chargeholder but arises by operation of law, for example on
death of the chargeholder, then the transfer extends to the
charge.
Article 19
19.1 The basic rule is that a third party acquires charged
property subject to any existing charges (see Article 21.1).
If he wants to protect himself he, therefore, normally needs
to search the charges' register to confirm that the property
he is acquiring is not subject to a charge. In some
circumstances this can be impractical or unduly onerous.
Article 19 provides a limitative list of the cases where a
chargor may transfer title to charged property free from the
charge without the consent of the chargeholder. Article 19
establishes the power to do so whereas Article 21 gives the
consequence that an enquirer obtains title free from the
charge.
19.2 When a chargor's trade includes selling goods his
customers who purchase the goods do not have to concern
themselves with any charge that may exist unless the goods
are not sold in the ordinary course of business.
19.3 The chargor may transfer title to other charged property by
way of sale in the ordinary course of his business provided
that the thing or right transferred is of a kind that is
habitually transferred by him in the ordinary course of his
business.
19.4 In the case of an enterprise charge the chargor may transfer
title by way of sale in any charged property in respect of
which applicable additional registration as provided in
Article 11 has not been made.
19.5 The licence to transfer title by way of sale pursuant
to this Article 19 is suspended automatically
19.5.1 upon possession of the charged property being
given pursuant to Article 10.1 until the time
when such possession ceases; or
19.5.2 upon an enforcement notice in respect of the
charge being delivered pursuant to Article 22.2
until enforcement proceedings may no longer be
continued pursuant to Article 22.4.
19.6 Any agreement between the chargor and the chargeholder
restricting or terminating the licence pursuant to this
Article 19 is of effect only between the parties.
Article 20. Contractual Licence to Deal in Charged
Property
20.1 The chargeholder may, except in the case of a possessory
charge, grant the chargor a contractual licence to transfer
title to the charged property free from the charge in
addition to the licence granted pursuant to Article 19.
20.2 In any contractual licence granted pursuant to Article 20.1
the charged property may be identified specifically or
generally and the licence may be granted on such terms as
the chargor and chargeholder may agree.
19.3 A trader may sell property other than his trading stock. For
example he may sell his delivery vehicles when he replaces
them with newer vehicles. In order for such a sale to fall
within Article 19 there is a dual test:
* first the sale has to be in the ordinary course of the
chargor's business, and
* secondly the property sold must be of a kind habitually
sold by him in the ordinary course of that business.
19.4 This only relates to an enterprise charge (see Article 5.6). If
Article 11 requires for example registration of charges over
land, a chargor who has created an enterprise charge may
transfer title to land free from the enterprise charge for so
long as the charge has not been registered against that land
pursuant to Article 11.
19.5 The licence under Article 19 only terminates when the
charge terminates (see also Article 19.6) but it is
temporarily suspended where the chargeholder has a
possessory charge or where an enforcement notice has been
delivered.
19.6 A third party dealing with the chargor can rely on the
licence under Article 19 in the knowledge that any
restriction or termination is only of effect between the
parties.
Article 20
20.1 The parties to the charge may agree to an additional
contractual licence to extend the licence under Article 19.
20.2 A licence under this Article may take whatever form the
circumstances require. It may, for example, cover a specific
sale of charged property to a named purchaser or may give
a general permission for transfers of a particular kind. It
may also cover transactions other than sales. In the case of
an enterprise charge it may frequently be desirable for the
chargor to be given a licence to sell that is wider than
provided under Article 19.
20.3 The grant of a contractual licence pursuant to Article 20.1
may be included in the charging instrument and in that
event a person dealing with the chargor acquires charged
property free from the charge pursuant to Article 21.2.3
without being under an obligation to make further
enquiries.
20.4 A contractual licence granted pursuant to Article 20.1 is
suspended automatically in the events as provided in
Article 19.5 and may subject to Article 20.3 be terminated
at any time by the chargeholder or in accordance with its
terms.
Article 21. Third Party Acquiring Charged Property
21.1 Any person acquiring title to charged property will acquire
subject to the charge except as provided in Article 21.2.
21.2 If a person acquires title to charged property he acquires it
free from the charge
21.2.1 where the chargor transfers title to the charged
property by way of sale under the licence granted
pursuant to Article 19; or
21.2.2 while the licence granted pursuant to Article 19
is suspended where the transfer of title by the
chargor by way of sale if made prior to
suspension would have been under the licence
and where either
21.2.2.1 the purchaser does not have actual
knowledge at the time of the transfer
of the existence of the charge; or
21.2.2.2 the purchaser believes in good faith at
the time of the transfer that the licence
exists; or
21.2.3 where the chargor transfers title to the charged
property under a contractual licence granted
pursuant to Article 20.1; or
21.2.4 while a contractual licence granted pursuant to
Article 20.1 is suspended or after it is terminated
where the transfer of title by the chargor if made
prior to suspension or termination would have
been under the licence and where the acquirer
believes in good faith at the time of the transfer
that the licence exists. Except where a
contractual licence is contained in the charging
instrument the acquirer is under an obligation to
enquire of the chargeholder; or
20.3 The practical problem of a third party who relies on a
contractual licence under Article 20 is to know whether the
licence is still existing at the time of the transfer. To avoid
the need of enquiry of the chargeholder each time the third
party may rely on a licence which is included in the
charging instrument on condition that he believes in good
faith that the licence exists (see Article 21.2.4).
Article 21
21.1 The charge is a right in property which follows the charged
property on a change of ownership. However,
in practice a number of exceptions are required.
21.2 The exceptions are only concerned with the question
whether or not a third party acquires free from a charge.
The question whether he acquires title to charged property
at all has to be determined in accordance with general rules
of law.
21.2.2 The purpose of the licence under Article 19 is to permit
third parties to deal with the chargor in certain
circumstances without having to concern themselves as to
whether the chargor has created a charge or not. If the
licence is suspended the onus is on the chargeholder to
make sure that third parties are made aware that the charge
exists and that the licence has been suspended (see also
commentary to Article 19.6).
21.2.4 Where there is a contractual licence the third party should
be aware that the charge exists. If it is contained in the
charging instrument the onus is on the chargeholder to
make third parties aware of any suspension (see Article
20.3). If it is not then the third party relying on the licence
should confirm with the chargor that it has not been
suspended.
21.2.5 where the price paid for the charged property is
less than [amount] and where the purchaser
believes in good faith at the time of the transfer
that no charge exists; or
21.2.6 where the charged property is
21.2.6.1 a negotiable instrument or negotiable
document; or
21.2.6.2 a share or debt instrument or a
contract quoted on a recognised
exchange or habitually traded in a
recognised market; or
21.2.7 where the charge is to an unpaid vendor pursuant
to Article 9 unless
21.2.7.1 a purpose of the chargor is to
terminate the unpaid vendor's charge;
and
21.2.7.2 the acquirer has actual knowledge at
the time of the transfer of that purpose
or circumstances exist which should
make him aware of that purpose.
21.3 For the purposes of Articles 21.2.2.2 and 21.2.4 a
purchaser or an acquirer believes in good faith that a
licence exists if
21.3.1 he does not have actual knowledge of the
termination of the licence; and
21.3.2 there do not exist circumstances which should
make him aware of the termination of the licence.
21.4 For the purposes of Article 21.2.5 a purchaser believes in
good faith that no charge exists if
21.4.1 he does not have actual knowledge of the
existence of the charge; and
21.4.2 there do not exist circumstances which should
make him aware of the existence of the charge.
21.5 For the purposes of Articles 21.2.2, 21.2.4 and 21.2.5 the
purchaser or acquirer is not under an obligation to search
the charges' register unless the particular circumstances
are abnormal and such as to make a search of the charges'
register prudent.
21.2.5 This is included to prevent a search having to be made of
the charges' register where the value of the property
transferred is low. An appropriate figure should be inserted.
21.2.6.1 See commentary to Article 17.4.
21.2.6.2 It must remain possible to deal on established securities'
markets on the assumption that the shares or other
securities traded are not subject to any charge. The precise
description of what is covered by this provision may need
to be adapted for each jurisdiction. Consideration should
also be given to any other cases that may need to be
covered, for example goods sold at public auction.
21.2.7 The unpaid vendor's charge gives protection to the vendor
for so long as the goods sold are owned by the chargor but
it is impracticable to expect a person to enquire as to
whether an unpaid vendor's charge exists every time he
purchases goods. There is an exception to cover the case
where a sale is made with the deliberate intention of
terminating the charge, for example by transferring goods
to an associate company shortly after acquisition.
21.6 Where a person acquires title to charged property subject
to a registered charge the chargeholder may at any time
register the charge against the name of such person
pursuant to Article 33.1.5.
21.6 Where charged property is sold subject to a charge it is
necessary to give the chargeholder the right to register the
charge against the name of the new owner in order to
protect his rights against third parties.
Part 4. Enforcement and Termination
Article 22. General Rules on Enforcement
22.1 A charge becomes immediately enforceable if there is a
failure to pay the secured debt and it remains immediately
enforceable until
22.1.1 the chargeholder agrees that the charge is no
longer immediately enforceable; or
22.1.2 the secured debt is satisfied in full or otherwise
ceases to exist; or
22.1.3 the charge terminates for any other reason.
22.2 The chargeholder of a charge which has become
immediately enforceable may commence enforcement
proceedings by delivering an enforcement notice to the
chargor containing the information set out in Article 22.7.
22.3 When a chargeholder has delivered an enforcement notice
pursuant to Article 22.2 he has the right to take protective
measures pursuant to Article 23 and to realise the charge
pursuant to Article 24 or, in the case of an enterprise
charge, to have the charge enforced pursuant to Article 25.
22.4 Enforcement proceedings cannot be continued if
22.4.1 a supplementary registration statement in respect
of the enforcement notice delivered pursuant to
Article 22.2 has not been presented at the
charges' registry pursuant to Article 33.1.6
within seven days of delivery to the chargor; or
22.4.2 the enforcement notice is declared invalid by the
court; or
Article 22
22.1 The secured debt has to be payable before the enforcement
can commence. In banking agreements it is usual to specify
a number of events of default which may make a loan
immediately repayable. The occurrence of an event of
default will only give rise to a right to enforce the charge
given to secure the loan if the loan becomes immediately
repayable and if there is a failure to pay. Where the debtor
and the chargor are different persons there is no
requirement in the model for the chargeholder to exhaust
his rights against the debtor before enforcing the charge.
22.1.1 It is always open to the chargeholder to settle his claim
amicably and to agree to discontinue enforcement.
22.1.2 The secured debt includes interest, maintenance and
enforcement costs and damages unless otherwise agreed
(see Article 4.6).
22.2 Delivery of an enforcement notice is the act that
commences enforcement proceedings. Where a charge
manager has been appointed he has the power to deliver the
notice and to carry out all subsequent acts involved in
enforcement (see Article 16.4). Where the secured debt has
been transferred and no charge manager has been appointed
the charge can only be enforced if the transfer has been
registered at the charges' registry (see Article 18.3.1).
Except in the case of an enterprise charge (see Article
22.7.6) a chargeholder may enforce even if there is a prior
ranking charge on the same charged property. The prior
ranking chargeholder's right to the proceeds of sale is
protected by the proceeds depositary (see Article 28.3.4).
22.4.1 Registration of the enforcement notice is essential even in
the case of an unpaid vendor's or possessory charge to
ensure that third parties can become aware of the
enforcement proceedings.
22.4.3 the charge ceases to be immediately enforceable
in accordance with Article 22.1.
22.5 In the event of the chargeholder failing to register the
enforcement notice as required by Article 22.4.1 the
chargeholder is liable to the chargor, any other
chargeholder with a charge over the same property and any
other party claiming rights in the charged property for any
loss suffered by any of them as a result of the protective
measures. This does not apply where the charge ceases to
be immediately enforceable in accordance with Article
22.1 within seven days of delivery of the enforcement
notice to the chargor and where the protective measures
were taken while the charge was immediately enforceable.
22.6 The chargeholder may at any time request deregistration of
the enforcement notice pursuant to Article 33.1.11 and is
under an obligation to do so in the events referred to in
Article 22.4.2 and 22.4.3.
22.7 An enforcement notice delivered pursuant to Article 22.2
must in order to be valid be in writing and
22.7.1 identify the charge in respect of which enforcement
proceedings are being commenced
22.7.1.1 in the case of a registered charge, by
reference to the charges' register and
the date of registration; or
22.7.1.2 in the case of an unpaid vendor's
charge or a possessory charge, by
reference to the information required
to register such a charge pursuant to
Articles 8.4 to 8.6; and
22.7.2 identify the debt in respect of which enforcement
proceedings are being commenced which may be
the secured debt or any part of that debt; and
22.7.3 contain a statement that the charge has become
immediately enforceable; and
22.7.4 where the chargeholder elects for a charged
enterprise to be transferred as a going concern
pursuant to Article 25.3 state that such election is
being made and identify the person appointed as
enterprise administrator; and
22.7.5 be signed by or on behalf of the chargeholder
and, where Article 22.7.4 applies, the enterprise
administrator; and
22.7.6 in the case of an enterprise charge, be signed by
or on behalf of the chargeholder of any prior
ranking enterprise charge.
22.5 If protective measures are taken the chargeholder must
register the enforcement within the seven day period unless
the enforcement notice is declared invalid by a court or the
charge ceases to be immediately enforceable after the
measures are taken but within the seven days (this may for
example be the case if a settlement is reached between the
chargor and the chargeholder).
22.7 This Article sets out the minimum information that must be
included in an enforcement notice for it to be valid. The
manner in which the notice has to be delivered is a matter
for the general law of each jurisdiction.
22.7.1.2 When the charge is not already shown on the register
because it is an unpaid vendor's charge or a possessory
charge additional information is required in the notice to
make its registration meaningful.
22.7.6 Where there is more than one enterprise charge the right to
enforce is determined by the priority of the charges (see
Article 17.1). If a subsequent enterprise chargeholder wants
to enforce the charge and the prior chargeholder does not
agree it is possible for him to satisfy the prior charge (see
Article 32.2).
Article 23. Measures for Protection of Charged Property
23.1 When an enforcement notice has been delivered pursuant
to Article 22.2 the chargeholder has the right to possession
of charged property which is in the form of movable
things.
23.2 Where taking possession of charged property referred to in
Article 23.1 is impracticable or is disputed by a third party
in possession of the charged property the chargeholder
may take such steps as are necessary to immobilise the
charged property, to prevent the chargor or a third party
using it and to prevent the chargor transferring title to it.
23.3 Where an enforcement notice has been delivered pursuant
to Article 22.2 in respect of charged property which is a
contractual obligation other than a debt for money the
chargeholder may notify the person owing the charged
obligation that it is subject to a charge and that
enforcement proceedings have been commenced. Upon
such notification
23.3.1 the chargor cannot modify the contractual
obligation without the agreement of the
chargeholder; and
23.3.2 the chargor cannot take any steps to exercise his
rights in respect of the contractual obligation
without the agreement of the chargeholder; and
23.3.3 the chargeholder may exercise the chargor's
rights in respect of the contractual obligation but
in such case the chargeholder must comply with
any corresponding obligation owed by the
chargor.
23.4 Where an enforcement notice has been delivered pursuant
to Article 22.2 the chargeholder may take reasonable steps
23.4.1 to preserve, maintain and insure the charged
property; and
23.4.2 with a view to increasing the sale price or
reducing the sale costs including enhancing the
charged property or renting it on commercially
prudent terms to a third party.
23.5 Upon application by the chargeholder the court may make
an order for other appropriate measures to protect the
charged property after the enforcement notice has been
registered as required by Article 22.4.1.
23.6 The chargeholder at any time may take protective
measures as agreed with the chargor.
Article 23
23.1/2 In practice it is essential that the chargeholder has effective
rights to protect the charged property without delay. The rights
under Article 23 arise immediately upon delivery of the
enforcement notice. A chargeholder is liable for any failure to
comply with the requirements of the law or for any action he
takes to which he is not entitled (see Article 30.2).
23.3 Contractual obligations other than debts for money are a
special case (see Article 13).
23.3.3 As an example the chargeholder may require the delivery to
himself of goods or services as provided by the contract but
in that case he is obliged to pay for them. He may also take
court action.
23.5 It is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of all protective
measures that may be appropriate and, therefore, the court is
given a discretion to make an order for other measures where
the chargeholder so requests.
23.7 If in order to obtain possession as referred to in Article
23.1 or to take other steps as provided in Article 23.2 the
chargeholder does not have the right to enter upon the site
where the charged property is situated or where any such
rights are refused to the chargeholder he may appoint a
[bailiff] for such purpose. The [bailiff] may on the
chargeholder's behalf take the protective measures to
which the chargeholder is entitled provided
23.7.1 he is satisfied that the charge is registered or, in
the case of an unpaid vendor's charge or a
possessory charge, the enforcement notice is
registered; and
23.7.2 he receives from the chargeholder a copy of the
enforcement notice delivered pursuant to Article
22.2.
Article 24. Measures for Realisation of Charged Property
24.1 When at least 60 days have elapsed since delivery of an
enforcement notice pursuant to Article 22.2 the
chargeholder has the right to transfer title to the charged
property by way of sale in order to have the proceeds of
sale applied towards satisfaction of the secured debt.
24.2 Any agreement entered into prior to delivery of an
enforcement notice pursuant to Article 22.2 which
provides for the transfer of title to charged property by
way of sale by or to the chargeholder after delivery of the
enforcement notice is invalid.
24.3 The chargeholder must
24.3.1 endeavour to realise a fair price for the charged
property; and
24.3.2 advise the purchaser that he is transferring title to
charged property in the capacity of chargeholder
and that the proceeds of sale must be paid
directly to a proceeds depositary appointed
pursuant to Article 27.1.
23.7 The purpose of Article 23.7 is to enable protective
measures which are beyond the power of an ordinary
person to be taken by a person with recognised authority
who can be appointed in a simple manner and without the
delay and formality of court proceedings. There may be
circumstances where such measures have to be taken within
hours if the chargeholder is to be properly protected. The
appropriate person to be included as `bailiff' will depend on
the legal system of each jurisdiction.
23.7.1 Because of the possible need for speedy action the `bailiff'
does not have to wait until the enforcement notice is
registered except in the case of an unpaid vendor's or
possessory charge.
Article 24
24.1 The right to sell the charged property under Article 24 is a
right that can be exercised by the chargeholder without the
intervention of the court provided that 60 days have elapsed
since the enforcement notice was delivered to the chargor.
During that 60 day period the chargeholder can, however,
take protective measures under Article 23 to ensure that the
property remains available for sale and the chargor or any
other party who wants to dispute the chargeholder's right to
enforce the charge can make application to the court (see
Article 29).
24.2 A sale during enforcement by or to the chargeholder must
be agreed after the delivery of the enforcement notice; it
cannot all be settled in advance. It can be agreed in the 60
days after the enforcement notice provided that the sale
does not actually take place until after the 60 days. This
provision only covers sales made after delivery of the
enforcement notice.
24.3.1 Ultimately in the case of disagreement it is for the court to
determine what is a `fair' price (but see Article 24.4). To
impose a test of the best price is impracticable because of
the various factors that may make one proposal more
favourable than another and because of the difficulty of
determining at the time of sale what is the best price.
24.3.2 The purchaser will normally obtain good title if the
enforcement notice is registered and the proceeds are paid
to a proceeds depositary (see Article 26).
24.4 The chargeholder may subject to the obligation under
Article 24.3.1 transfer title to the charged property by way
of sale in such manner as he considers appropriate which
may include transfer by private agreement on the open
market or at public or private auction. The chargeholder
may appoint a person to act on his behalf for the transfer
or for any matter connected with it.
24.5 A chargeholder is treated as having fulfilled his obligation
under Article 24.3.1 if he can demonstrate that
24.5.1 in the case of charged property of a kind for
which there is a recognised market, he acted in
the manner of a prudent person operating in that
market; or
24.5.2 in all other cases, he took such steps to realise a
fair price as could be expected in the
circumstances of a prudent person.
Article 25. Enterprise Charge Administration
25.1 An enterprise charge may be enforced pursuant to Articles
23 and 24 or pursuant to this Article 25.
25.2 Any agreement entered into prior to delivery of an
enforcement notice pursuant to Article 22.2 which
provides for the transfer of title to the charged enterprise
by way of sale by or to the chargeholder after delivery of
the enforcement notice is invalid.
25.3 A chargeholder of an enterprise charge who delivers an
enforcement notice pursuant to Article 22.2 may elect for
the enterprise to be transferred as a going concern pursuant
to this Article 25 and in that case the enforcement notice
must comply with the requirements of Articles 22.7.4,
22.7.5 and 22.7.6.
25.4 A chargeholder may only make an election under Article
25.3 if he believes that the enterprise is capable of being
transferred as a going concern.
25.5 When an election is made pursuant to Article 25.3
25.5.1 the chargeholder must appoint a person (called
an enterprise administrator) who has the powers
and obligations set out in this Article 25; and
24.4 This is intentionally broad. The chargeholder has an
obligation to endeavour to realise a fair price but the way in
which he can best do that will inevitably vary with the
circumstances. In many cases the chargeholder may prefer
to appoint someone to deal with the sale on his behalf and
he is given the express power to do this. An appointment of
such a person under Article 24.4 is distinct from any
appointment of a charge manager under Article 16.
Article 25
25.1 Where a charge has been registered as an enterprise charge
(see Articles 5.6 and 8.4.5) the chargeholder has the right,
but not the obligation, to enforce pursuant to Article 25; he
may instead enforce the charge pursuant to Articles 23 and
24 in the same way as if the charge had not been registered
as an enterprise charge.
25.2 This corresponds to Article 24.2.
25.3 It is by a statement in the enforcement notice that the
chargeholder elects to enforce pursuant to Article 25. The
election has, therefore, to be made at the commencement of
enforcement proceedings.
25.4 The chargeholder has to decide at the outset whether or not
he believes that the enterprise is capable of being sold as a
going concern. If at any time he ceases to hold that belief
he must terminate the enterprise administration (see Article
25.22).
25.5.1 An enterprise administrator must be appointed no later than
the time of the enforcement notice ­ he has to sign the
enforcement notice (see Article 22.7.5). The terms of
appointment are a contractual matter between the
chargeholder and the administrator.
25.5.2 the chargeholder may not, except as provided
under Article 25.20, exercise any rights pursuant
to Articles 23 and 24 unless the election is
rescinded.
25.6 In order for the appointment of the enterprise
administrator to be valid
25.6.1 he must be a [qualified accountant or lawyer];
and
25.6.2 he must not be a chargeholder or the charge
manager; and
25.6.3 a statement of his appointment must be presented
at the [registry where the chargor is registered]
within seven days of delivery of the enforcement
notice pursuant to Article 22.2.
25.7 Where an election is made pursuant to Article 25.3
25.7.1 the powers of the persons authorised by law or
by the chargor's constitution to administer the
enterprise and to deal in the charged property
cease upon delivery of the enforcement notice;
and
25.7.2 such powers are immediately vested in the
enterprise administrator.
25.8 Each of the persons whose powers cease pursuant to
Article 25.7.1 is under an obligation to give all necessary
information and assistance to the enterprise administrator
to enable him to manage the enterprise and to carry out his
functions and may in addition be given such powers in
relation to the enterprise as may be agreed with the
enterprise administrator.
25.9 Each of the persons whose powers cease pursuant to
Article 25.7.1 is liable for any loss suffered by the chargor
or any third party as a result of any exercise by that person
of any of his former powers after he has actual knowledge
that his powers have ceased.
25.10 The enterprise administrator must
25.10.1 fulfil all those obligations that are provided by
law for the persons whose powers are vested in
him pursuant to Article 25.7.2 (but not including
the obligation under Article 15.2); and
25.10.2 continue the enterprise as a going concern; and
25.5.2 Once the election for enterprise administration is made the
chargeholder may not (except as provided in Article 25.20)
realise under Article 24 as well. The protection rights under
Article 23 are replaced by the rights of the enterprise
administrator.
25.6.1 Enterprise administration is a responsible role which has to
be performed by a person with appropriate qualifications.
These will need to be defined separately for each
jurisdiction and should normally be limited to persons
practising within the jurisdiction.
25.6.3 Since the enterprise administrator has wide powers to run
the enterprise (see Article 25.7.2) his appointment needs to
be registered at the commercial/company or other registry
where persons would normally look to find notification of
those empowered to bind the chargor. His appointment is
registered at the charges' registry when the enforcement
notice is registered (see Article 22.7.4).
25.7 Immediately on delivery of the enforcement notice the
enterprise administrator replaces the directors or other
persons previously empowered to run the enterprise and
receives all their powers.
25.8 The former directors or other managers have an obligation
to co-operate. They may, in addition, have powers in
relation to the enterprise if the enterprise administrator
agrees. These, however, are new powers given by the
enterprise administrator, not a continuation of their former
powers.
25.9 In practice the onus is on the chargeholder or enterprise
administrator to inform the directors or managers of the
election which causes their powers to cease.
25.10.1 Having replaced the directors or managers of the enterprise
under Article 25.7 the enterprise administrator has to
perform the same obligations as they did previously.
25.10.2 If the enterprise is to be sold as a going concern it is
essential that it is continued in the meantime.
25.10.3 advise the chargeholder promptly if he believes
that the enterprise is not capable of being
transferred as a going concern; and
25.10.4 endeavour to transfer the enterprise as a going
concern and to realise a fair price; and
25.10.5 advise the purchaser that he is transferring title to
charged property in the capacity of enterprise
administrator and that the proceeds of sale must
be paid directly to a proceeds depositary
appointed pursuant to Article 27.1.
25.11 The appointment of an enterprise administrator terminates
upon
25.11.1 his death; or
25.11.2 his becoming incapable of performing his
obligations; or
25.11.3 his resignation; or
25.11.4 his being removed by the chargeholder; or
25.11.5 his being removed by the court; or
25.11.6 the transfer of the enterprise by way of sale; or
25.11.7 the administration of the enterprise ceasing
pursuant to Article 25.22 or 25.23.
25.12 When the appointment of an enterprise administrator is
terminated pursuant to Articles 25.11.1 to 25.11.5 a new
enterprise administrator must be appointed
25.12.1 in the case of Articles 25.11.1, 25.11.2 or
25.11.3, by the chargeholder within seven days
of the occurrence of the death, incapacity or
resignation;
25.12.2 in the case of Article 25.11.4, by the
chargeholder at the time of the removal of the
previous enterprise administrator;
25.12.3 in the case of Article 25.11.5, by the court at the
time of his removal and in such case the court
may, if appropriate, appoint a new enterprise
administrator nominated by the chargeholder.
25.13 If the chargeholder fails to appoint a new enterprise
administrator
25.13.1 within seven days as provided in Article 25.12.1
the court may appoint a new enterprise
administrator or rescind the election to have the
enterprise transferred as a going concern
pursuant to Article 25.3;
25.10.3 This complements Articles 25.4 and 25.22.
25.10.4/5 These correspond to Article 24.3.
25.12 Where the appointment of an enterprise administrator has
been terminated but the enterprise administration is to
continue it is important that a new enterprise administrator
is appointed with minimum delay so that the enterprise can
be continued as a going concern.
25.13.1 The court can look at the circumstances and decide whether
it is in the best interests of all involved for the enterprise
administration to terminate or for a new administrator to be
appointed.
25.13.2 at the time of the removal by him of the previous
enterprise administrator as referred to in Article
25.11.4 the removal is not valid.
25.14 The appointment of a new enterprise administrator after
the seven days as provided in Article 25.12.1 is valid but
the chargeholder is liable to the chargor, any other
chargeholder with a charge over the same charged property
and any other party claiming rights in the charged property
for any loss suffered by reason of any delay in the
appointment caused by the chargeholder.
25.15 The chargeholder is under an obligation to present at the
charges' registry pursuant to Article 33.1.7 or 33.1.8 and
at [the registry where the chargor is registered] a request
for registration of any termination of the appointment of
an enterprise administrator or any appointment of a new
enterprise administrator within seven days of the
termination or appointment.
25.16 Within 60 days of delivery of an enforcement notice
pursuant to Article 22.2 the enterprise administrator may
renounce any contract to which the chargor is party and
which imposes continuing obligations on the chargor.
25.17 Where a contract imposes continuing obligations on the
chargor the other party may serve a notice on the
enterprise administrator at any time within the 60 day
period requiring the enterprise administrator to state
whether or not he will be exercising his right under Article
25.16. Until the enterprise administrator replies to that
notice the obligation of the other party to perform is
suspended.
25.18 When at least 60 days have elapsed since delivery of an
enforcement notice pursuant to Article 22.2 the enterprise
administrator has the right to transfer the enterprise by way
of sale in order to have the proceeds of sale applied
towards satisfaction of the secured debt.
25.19 The enterprise administrator may subject to the obligation
under Article 25.10.4 transfer the enterprise as a going
concern by way of sale in such a manner as he considers
appropriate which may include transfer by private
agreement, on the open market or at public or private
auction. The enterprise administrator may appoint a person
to act on his behalf for the transfer or for any matter
connected with it.
25.20 If the enterprise administrator determines that any part of
the charged property can be transferred separately from the
enterprise without preventing the transfer of the enterprise
as a going concern he may agree with the chargeholder
that such property is transferred by the chargeholder
pursuant to Article 24.
25.13.2 If the chargeholder wants to exercise his right to remove an
enterprise administrator he must at the same time appoint a
successor unless he terminates the enterprise administration
at the same time.
25.14 A late appointment is not invalid but the chargeholder may
incur liability for loss resulting from any delay that he
caused.
25.15 The obligation to register is on the chargeholder.
25.16 Where a contract is renounced the other party may have a
claim against the chargor for early termination but that
claim will not prevent the sale of the enterprise as a going
concern. The claim can only be satisfied out of the proceeds
of sale to the extent that the chargor receives a distribution
pursuant to Article 28.3.6. However, the other party is
protected prior to renunciation (see Article 28.4.3).
25.17 It may be unreasonable to expect the other party to continue
performing if he does not know whether or not the contract
will be renounced.
25.18 The power to sell only arises after 60 days as in Article
24.1.
25.19 This corresponds to Article 24.4.
25.20 This represents a limited exception to the principle that the
chargeholder may realise his enterprise charge under Article
24 or Article 25 but not both at the same time. The
determination that part of the charged property can be
transferred separately must be made by the enterprise
administrator, not the chargeholder.
25.21 An enterprise administrator is treated as having fulfilled
his obligation under Article 25.10.4 if he can demonstrate
that he took such steps as could be expected in the
circumstances of a prudent person transferring an
enterprise of that nature.
25.22 The election to have the enterprise transferred as a going
concern pursuant to Article 25.3 must be rescinded by the
chargeholder if he determines that the enterprise is no
longer capable of being transferred as a going concern.
25.23 The election to have the enterprise transferred as a going
concern pursuant to Article 25.3 may be rescinded
25.23.1 by the chargeholder if he determines that to do so
is in the interests of other creditors of the
chargor; or
25.23.2 by the court pursuant to Article 25.13.1 or 29.
25.24 In the event of the election being rescinded pursuant to
Article 25.22 or 25.23 the charge may be enforced
pursuant to Articles 23 and 24.
Article 26. Purchaser from Chargeholder or Enterprise
Administrator
26.1 If a person acquires title to charged property from the
chargeholder pursuant to Article 24 or from the enterprise
administrator pursuant to Article 25 he acquires it free
from any charge if
26.1.1 the enforcement notice and, in the case of a
transfer pursuant to Article 25, the enterprise
administrator remain registered on the charges'
register until at least the third day (excluding
weekends and public holidays) before the date of
the transfer and no interim order remains
registered pursuant to Article 33.1.9 at such time;
and
26.1.2 the sale price is paid to a proceeds depositary
appointed by the chargeholder pursuant to
Article 27.
26.2 A purchaser will not acquire title free from any charge if
he has actual knowledge at the time of the purchase that
26.2.1 the charge being enforced is not created, invalid
or unenforceable; or
26.2.2 the charge has ceased to be immediately
enforceable in accordance with Article 22.1; or
26.2.3 the enforcement notice has been declared invalid
by a court; or
25.21 This corresponds to Article 24.5.
25.22/23 There are only limited circumstances in which the election
to realise the charge under Article 25 must or can be
rescinded. The purpose of enterprise administration is to
sell the enterprise as a going concern: once the
chargeholder is of the view that this is not possible the
administration has to be terminated.
25.24 When the election is rescinded the chargeholder may take
protection and realisation measures under Articles 23 and
24 without having to deliver a new enforcement notice and
without having to wait for a further 60 days.
Article 26
This Article includes basic protection for a purchaser from
the chargeholder or the enterprise administrator. The
purchaser acquires title free from any charge, not just from
the charge that is being enforced. If sales on realisation of a
charge are to be possible in practice the purchaser has to be
given the certainty that he is obtaining good title. The
interests of other chargeholders are protected by the
proceeds distribution provisions (see Articles 27 and 28).
Subject to matters within his actual knowledge (see Article
26.2) he must only check that the enforcement notice is
registered and make payment to the proceeds depositary.
There is no need to make any further enquiries (see Article
26.3).
26.2.4 an order made by the court pursuant to Article
29.3 is still outstanding; or
26.2.5 in the case of transfer of an enterprise pursuant to
Article 25, the election made pursuant to Article
25.3 has been rescinded.
26.3 The purchaser has no obligation to enquire as to the
creation, validity and enforceability of the charge or as to
the powers of the enterprise administrator registered on the
charges' register.
Article 27. Proceeds Depositary
27.1 Prior to the day on which any proceeds of sale under
Articles 24 or 25 become payable the chargeholder must
appoint a person to receive the proceeds of sale (called a
proceeds depositary). Such appointment may be made at
any time after delivery of an enforcement notice pursuant
to Article 22.2.
27.2 In order for the appointment of the proceeds depositary to
be valid
27.2.1 he must be a [qualified accountant or recognised
bank]; and
27.2.2 he cannot be the chargor, a chargeholder, the
charge manager or the enterprise administrator.
27.3 The chargeholder or the enterprise administrator must
cause the proceeds of sale to be paid to the proceeds
depositary.
27.4 The proceeds depositary must place all amounts received
by him on deposit on commercial terms with a prime bank
in a segregated account.
27.5 Promptly after his appointment the proceeds depositary
must establish a list setting out
27.5.1 the persons entitled to the proceeds of sale; and
27.5.2 the amount of the entitlement of each; and
27.5.3 the priority of the entitlement of each.
27.6 In order to establish the list pursuant to Article 27.5 the
proceeds depositary
27.6.1 must examine the charges' register; and
27.6.2 must enquire of the chargor and the enterprise
administrator; and
Article 27
27.1 The proceeds depositary is appointed to ensure that the
proceeds are correctly distributed.
27.2.1 Like the enterprise administrator the proceeds depositary
has a responsible role requiring the appointment of a person
with appropriate qualifications which must be defined
separately for each jurisdiction. It should normally be
limited to persons practising within the jurisdiction.
27.4 The exact meaning of `prime bank' has to be defined
separately for each jurisdiction.
27.5/6 The list that the proceeds depositary must establish and the
steps that he must take to establish it will in most cases be
very simple.
27.6.3 where the charged property includes a movable
thing which may be subject to an unpaid
vendor's charge, must determine the date of
acquisition and, if appropriate, enquire of the
vendor; and
27.6.4 must take note of any claim directly addressed to
him; and
27.6.5 may but is not obliged to make other appropriate
enquiries.
27.7 The proceeds depositary may exclude from the list any
person who fails to provide information necessary to
establish the list referred to in Article 27.5 if
27.7.1 the proceeds depositary has delivered two notices
to that person requesting information as to his
entitlement; and
27.7.2 there are at least 15 days between delivery of the
first and of the second notice; and
27.7.3 both notices state that the information is needed
for establishing the list and that any failure to
provide the required information may cause loss
of entitlement to proceeds of sale held by the
proceeds depositary; and
27.7.4 the required information has not been received
within 15 days of delivery of the second notice.
27.8 When the list is established pursuant to Article 27.5 the
proceeds depositary must deliver a copy to the
chargeholder, the enterprise administrator, the chargor,
any chargeholder shown on the charges' register with a
charge over the same charged property and any other
person who, to the proceeds depositary's actual
knowledge, has or claims to have a right in the charged
property.
27.9 Any person who claims entitlement to the proceeds of sale
and does not agree with the list as established by the
proceeds depositary may within 21 days of delivery of the
list pursuant to Article 27.8 notify the proceeds depositary
of his disagreement. In this case the proceeds depositary
must deliver to the persons referred to in Article 27.8
either an amended list or a statement that a disagreement
has been notified but that the list remains unchanged.
27.10 Where establishment of a definitive list is delayed for any
reason, the proceeds depositary may establish a
provisional list making full reserve for any undetermined
or disputed amounts.
27.6.3 An unpaid vendor's charge terminates after six months (see
Article 9.4.1); so enquiries of the vendor will only be
necessary for goods purchased within the six months prior
to delivery of the enforcement notice.
27.10 For distribution of proceeds of sale under a provisional list
see Article 28.2.
Article 28. Distribution of Proceeds of Sale
28.1 The proceeds depositary must, subject to any order made
by the court pursuant to Article 29, distribute the proceeds
of sale promptly upon 30 days elapsing after the latest of
28.1.1 receipt by the proceeds depositary of the
proceeds of sale; or
28.1.2 delivery of the list pursuant to Article 27.8; or
28.1.3 delivery of the list or statement pursuant to
Article 27.9.
28.2 The proceeds depositary may make an initial distribution
of proceeds of sale on the basis of a provisional list
established pursuant to Article 27.10.
28.3 The proceeds depositary must distribute the proceeds of
sale as follows
28.3.1 first, in payment of his fees and costs up to
[amount];
28.3.2 second, where an election has been made
pursuant to Article 25.3, in payment of the
liabilities referred to in Article 28.4.1;
28.3.3 third, where an election has been made pursuant
to Article 25.3, in payment of the liabilities
referred to in Articles 28.4.2 and 28.4.3;
28.3.4 fourth, to chargeholders of charges over the
charged property transferred in accordance with
the priorities of their respective charges;
28.3.5 fifth, to other persons with rights in the charged
property which entitle them to the proceeds of
sale; and
28.3.6 sixth, to the chargor.
28.4 Where an election has been made pursuant to Article 25.3
the following liabilities have priority in any distribution of
the proceeds of sale
28.4.1 reasonable remuneration of the enterprise
administrator for continuing the enterprise as a
going concern but excluding any remuneration or
costs in respect of the transfer of the enterprise
and any amounts due to an enterprise
administrator by reason of termination of his
appointment; and
Article 28
28.1 Distribution should take place as early as possible. If the
proceeds depositary has delivered the list of entitlement to
the proceeds prior to receipt of the proceeds of sale,
distribution can take place 30 days after receipt, otherwise
it is 30 days after establishment of the final version of the
list. The 30 day period allows time for any interested party
to apply to the court under Article 29.
28.3.1 The proceeds depositary must be assured of receiving a
minimum level of fee which may be a fixed amount or may
be calculated as a proportion of the proceeds.
28.3.4 If there is a charge ranking ahead of the charge being
enforced (see Article 17) that chargeholder will have
priority to the proceeds.
28.4.1 The remuneration of the enterprise administrator in respect
of the transfer of the enterprise is included in the secured
debt (see Article 4.6.3).
28.4.2 liabilities incurred by the enterprise administrator
in continuing the enterprise as a going concern;
and
28.4.3 liabilities becoming due under contracts
renounced pursuant to Article 25.16 after
delivery of the enforcement notice pursuant to
Article 22.2 and prior to renunciation excluding
any liability arising by reason of such
renunciation.
28.5 Where any amount payable by the proceeds depositary
pursuant to this Article 28 is payable in a currency other
than the currency held by the proceeds depositary he must
purchase the necessary amount of that currency to make
the payment.
28.6 The proceeds depositary must continue to hold the amount
of the proceeds of sale attributable to any secured debt
until it becomes payable.
28.7 The secured debt is satisfied to the extent that the proceeds
depositary pays proceeds of sale to a chargeholder.
28.8 Any payment by the proceeds depositary to a non-resident
chargeholder is treated for the purpose of currency
exchange regulations as a payment of the secured debt by
the debtor.
28.4.2 The liabilities may be incurred under a new agreement
entered into by the enterprise administrator or under an
agreement already existing prior to his appointment. People
will only deal with the enterprise administrator during the
period in which he is continuing the enterprise as a going
concern if they have assurance that they will be paid
amounts becoming due to them. It may in some
jurisdictions be desirable to include some protection for
employees in the enterprise.
28.5 The chargeholder whose debt is in a foreign currency
should receive payment in that currency. The exchange risk
remains the risk of the chargor.
28.8 A foreign creditor needs the assurance that the charge gives
him effective security. That is not the case if the proceeds
of sale after enforcement of a charge cannot be repatriated
as easily as a repayment of the original debt.
Article 29. Court Remedies on Enforcement
29.1 If at any time after delivery of an enforcement notice
pursuant to Article 22.2 a chargor, any other chargeholder
with a charge over the same charged property or any other
party claiming rights in the charged property disputes the
creation, validity or enforceability of the charge or claims
termination of the charge he may apply to the court to have
the enforcement notice declared invalid. Any application
under this Article 29.1 must be treated by the court as
urgent business [state time limit for decision].
Notwithstanding such application until the enforcement
notice is declared invalid and subject to any order made by
the court pursuant to Articles 29.3 to 29.5
29.1.1 the chargeholder may continue to take protective
measures pursuant to Article 23; and
29.1.2 the chargeholder may continue to realise the
charge pursuant to Article 24; and
29.1.3 where an election has been made pursuant to
Article 25.3 the enterprise administrator may
continue to operate the enterprise as a going
concern and to realise the charge pursuant to
Article 25.
29.2 If the court declares the enforcement notice invalid the
chargor or the party who applied to the court may require
the chargeholder to present at the charges' registry a
request for deregistration of the enforcement notice
pursuant to Article 33.1.11.
29.3 If upon an application being made pursuant to Article 29.1
the court is
29.3.1 unable to give its final decision within 60 days of
the enforcement notice being delivered pursuant
to Article 22.2; and
Article 29
It is not possible in the model to include detailed provisions
for court remedies which will be appropriate for differing
jurisdictions. This will depend on local court systems and
procedures. The provisions included in Articles 14.6, 23.5,
25.11.15, 25.12.3, 25.13.1 and 29 illustrate the remedies
that will be required. The model provides for the
enforcement of a charge without any involvement of the
court. It is, therefore, essential that there exist appropriate
checks to prevent abuse, and in particular the right of any
interested party to apply to the court if necessary. Against
that enforcement must remain a real remedy which cannot
be defeated or rendered meaningless by use of court
procedures.
29.1 This Article will need to be adapted to be consistent with
the court procedures of each jurisdiction. The right to
appeal has not been included but should be to the extent
that it does not arise under existing law. If the charge is to
be of value to the chargeholder there must be some real
assurance that any proceedings will be dealt with quickly.
The manner in which urgent business is defined will again
vary between different jurisdictions.
It is essential that an application to the court does not by
itself automatically stop all enforcement steps: by the time
the court has given its decision the remedies available to
the chargeholder may in practice be reduced. The
chargeholder cannot sell until 60 days after the enforcement
notice and the court has the power under Article 29.3 to
make an interim order to prevent sale (but not protective
measures) after that period (see also Article 30.1).
29.2 The chargeholder has an obligation to request deregistration
under Article 22.6.
29.3.1 The 60 day period ties in with Articles 24.1 and 25.18.
29.3.2 satisfied that there are reasonable grounds on
which to claim that the charge is not created,
invalid, or not enforceable or that it has been
terminated; and
29.3.3 satisfied that, after taking into account the
interests of all the parties, it is appropriate to
make an order pursuant to this Article 29.3;
the court may if so requested by the applicant make an
interim order that the charged property may not be
transferred pursuant to Article 24 or 25 until the court has
rendered its final decision. The applicant is under an
obligation to present at the charges' registry pursuant to
Article 33.1.9 a request for registration of the interim order
within seven days of it being made and pursuant to Article
33.1.12 a request for deregistration of the order within
seven days of it being terminated. The applicant is liable to
third parties for any loss suffered as a result of breach of
this obligation.
29.4 A chargor, any other chargeholder with a charge over the
same charged property or any other party claiming rights
in the charged property who alleges that the chargeholder,
the enterprise administrator or the proceeds depositary has
failed to comply with the requirements of Articles 22 to 28
may apply to the court for an order
29.4.1 to declare any measure taken which was not in
compliance with the requirements of Articles 22
to 28 invalid subject to Article 26;
29.4.2 requiring the chargeholder, the enterprise
administrator or the proceeds depositary to
comply with those requirements;
29.4.3 for such other matter as the court considers
appropriate.
29.5 A chargor, any other chargeholder with a charge over the
same charged property or any other party claiming rights
in the charged property who alleges that the chargeholder,
the enterprise administrator or the proceeds depositary has
taken in relation to enforcement of a charge measures to
which he is not entitled may apply to the court for an order
29.5.1 to declare the measures to which the application
relates invalid subject to Article 26;
29.5.2 requiring the chargeholder, the enterprise
administrator or the proceeds depositary to
refrain from taking any further measures to which
he is not entitled;
29.5.3 for such other matter as the court considers
appropriate.
29.3.3 The power of the court to make an interim order is
restricted; if an interim order could be given as a matter of
course this might be seen as significantly reducing the
value of a charge.
29.4/5 Articles 29.1 to 29.3 provide for court action relating to the
validity of the enforcement notice which necessarily will
affect the whole enforcement proceedings. Articles 29.4
and 29.5 relate to matters arising during enforcement
proceedings.
Article 30. Damages
A chargor, any other chargeholder with a charge over the same
charged property or any other party claiming rights in the charged
property has an action in damages
30.1 in the case of an enforcement notice declared invalid by
the court pursuant to Article 29.1, for any loss suffered by
any of them as a result of enforcement; and
30.2 for any loss suffered as a result of any failure by a
chargeholder, charge manager, enterprise administrator or
proceeds depositary to comply with the requirements of
Articles 22 to 28 or as a result of any measure taken by
any such person in relation to enforcement of a charge to
which he is not entitled.
Article 31. Insolvency Principles
The provisions to be included to cover the event of the insolvency
of the chargor have to be drafted jurisdiction by jurisdiction to take
into account local insolvency rules. The following basic principles
must be respected:
1. The charge remains valid notwithstanding insolvency.
2. Any right to set aside a charge as an act in the period
immediately prior to insolvency is in the same terms as for
other pre-insolvency acts.
3. Either the charge remains enforceable by the chargeholder
separately from insolvency proceedings or the liquidator is
under an obligation to transfer the charged property rapidly at a
fair price and to satisfy the chargeholder's claim out of the
proceeds of sale.
4. The creditors who may rank ahead of the chargeholder in
respect of the proceeds of sale are limitatively defined.
Article 32. Termination of a Charge
32.1 A charge terminates if and to the extent that
32.1.1 the chargor and the chargeholder so agree; or
32.1.2 the secured debt is satisfied or otherwise ceases
to exist; or
32.1.3 the charged property ceases to exist; or
Article 30
A chargeholder who takes enforcement proceedings without
being sure of his rights does so at his own risk. In addition
to other court remedies those involved in taking
enforcement proceedings may be sued in damages if the
enforcement notice is declared invalid or if they do not
comply with legal requirements or take measures to which
they are not entitled. This will often in practice be a
significant deterrent against wrongful or reckless
enforcement.
Article 31
If a charge falls away on the chargor's insolvency it gives
little useful protection to the chargeholder. It is not possible
in the model to set out more than the basic principles that
should apply in the case of insolvency. The manner in
which those principles are made to work in practice has to
be determined by reference to the local law.
Article 32
32.1 In the events set out in Article 32 a charge may terminate
wholly or partially (note the words `to the extent thať).
32.1.1 The chargor and the chargeholder can always agree to
terminate the charge.
32.1.2 If there is no secured debt there can be no charge. However,
the chargor and chargeholder have wide freedom in
describing the secured debt (see Article 4).
32.1.3 If there is no charged property there can be no charge.
Again the freedom in describing the charged property is
wide (see Article 5).
32.1.4 the charged property is changed or incorporated
with another thing or right in such a manner that
it ceases to exist in identifiable or separable
form; or
32.1.5 the charged property becomes part of another
thing or right in such manner that the charged
property and the other thing or right are
transferable as a single item; or
32.1.6 the charged property becomes owned by the
chargeholder; or
32.1.7 in the case of an unpaid vendor's charge, as
provided in Article 9.4; or
32.1.8 in the case of a possessory charge pursuant to
Article 10, if possession of charged property
ceases; or
32.1.9 the secured debt is transferred and the transfer
does not extend to the charge; or
32.1.10 a third party acquires title to charged property
free from the charge pursuant to Article 21.2; or
32.1.11 a person acquires title to charged property free
from any charge pursuant to Article 26.1.
32.2 A charge also terminates if the chargor or another
chargeholder with a charge over the same charged property
32.2.1 deposits a sum equal to 130 per cent. of the
maximum amount of the secured debt referred to
in Article 4.5 or, in the case of an unpaid
vendor's charge, of the unpaid part of the
purchase price referred to in Article 9.2.1 and in
the same currency as the secured debt with a
prime bank on terms agreed with the
chargeholder or failing agreement on commercial
terms then prevailing for similar sums in that
currency; and
32.2.2 grants to the chargeholder whose charge is being
terminated a registered charge over the sum
deposited pursuant to Article 32.2.1 in order to
secure the debt previously secured by the charge
that is terminated.
32.1.4 A charge over raw materials will usually terminate when
they are used in a manufacturing process which the chargor
is entitled to do under Article 15.3.1. This does not
necessarily leave the chargeholder without any protection.
He may agree with the chargor to create a charge over the
work-in-progress and/or the finished product as well (see
commentary to Article 5.10).
32.1.5 A charge over components of a machine will usually
terminate when they are put together to make the machine.
32.1.6 A person cannot hold a charge over property he owns.
32.1.7 An unpaid vendor's charge is of a limited six month
duration unless converted into a registered charge.
32.1.8 See also commentary to Article 10.2.
32.1.9 Although the chargor does not have to be the debtor (see
Article 4.3.1) the charge must always be held by the person
to whom the secured debt is owed.
32.2 There can be circumstances where a chargor or a
subsequent chargeholder wish to remove a charge given in
respect of a debt which is not yet payable. Article 32.2
gives a procedure for doing this. The chargeholder has his
charge replaced by a charge over a cash deposit which may
belong either to the chargor or to the other chargeholder.
The extra 30 per cent. is designed to cover additional
amounts pursuant to Article 4.6. The exact meaning of
`prime bank' has to be defined separately for each
jurisdiction.
32.3 Upon termination of a charge the chargeholder must
32.3.1 in the case of a registered charge, register the
termination of the charge pursuant to Article
33.1.10; or
32.3.2 in the case of a possessory charge, return the
charged property to the chargor unless otherwise
agreed between chargor and chargeholder.
32.3 The obligation is on the chargeholder to register
termination of the charge.
Part 5. Registration
Article 33. Supplementary Registration Statement
33.1 In order to obtain registration of
33.1.1 an amendment to a charging instrument; or
33.1.2 the subsequent appointment of a charge manager;
or
33.1.3 the termination of the appointment of a charge
manager; or
33.1.4 the transfer of a secured debt extending to a
charge; or
33.1.5 a charge against the name of a person who has
acquired title to charged property; or
33.1.6 an enforcement notice; or
33.1.7 the termination of the appointment of an
enterprise administrator; or
33.1.8 the appointment of a new enterprise
administrator; or
33.1.9 an interim order made under Article 29.3; or
33.1.10 the termination of a registered charge; or
in order to obtain deregistration of
33.1.11 an enforcement notice; or
33.1.12 an interim order made under Article 29.3;
a supplementary registration statement must be presented
at the charges' registry.
33.2 A supplementary registration statement presented pursuant
to Article 33.1 must
33.2.1 identify the charge by reference to the chargor,
the date of registration (in the case of a registered
charge) and other information as necessary; and
33.2.2 state the purpose of the supplementary
registration statement; and
33.2.3 comply with the requirements of Article 33.3.
Article 33
33.1 This sets out a limitative list of all those matters which may
be the subject of supplementary registration.
33.2 The first requirement in all cases is to identify the charge to
which the supplementary registration relates and the
purpose of the supplementary registration.
33.3 A supplementary registration statement presented pursuant
to Article 33.1 must also include
33.3.1 in the case of an amendment to a charging
instrument pursuant to Article 7.5
33.3.1.1 the date of the charging instrument;
and
33.3.1.2 the date of the amendment; and
33.3.1.3 signatures by or on behalf of the
chargor and the chargeholder; or
33.3.2 in the case of the subsequent appointment of a
charge manager pursuant to Article 16
33.3.2.1 identification of the charge manager;
and
33.3.2.2 signatures by or on behalf of the
chargeholder and the charge manager;
or
33.3.3 in the case of the termination of the appointment
of a charge manager pursuant to Article 16
33.3.3.1 identification of the charge manager;
and
33.3.3.2 signature by or on behalf of the
chargeholder or the charge manager;
or
33.3.4 in the case of the transfer of a secured debt
extending to a charge pursuant to Article 18.1
33.3.4.1 identification of the transferor and the
new chargeholder; and
33.3.4.2 signatures by or on behalf of the
transferring chargeholder and the new
chargeholder; or
33.3.5 in the case of registration of a charge against the
name of a person who has acquired title to
charged property as referred to in Article 21.6
33.3.5.1 identification of the person who has
acquired title; and
33.3.5.2 signature by or on behalf of the
chargeholder; or
33.3.6 in the case of an enforcement notice delivered
pursuant to Article 22.2
33.3.6.1 the date of delivery of the
enforcement notice; and
33.3.2 The appointment of the charge manager at the time of the
creation of the charge is registered pursuant to Article
8.4.1.
33.3.5 This is another example of a case where a charge can be
registered against a person without his having to sign the
registration statement (see also Article 8.4.6.2).
33.3.6.2 where the enforcement notice relates
to an unpaid vendor's charge or a
possessory charge the information
required to register such a charge
pursuant to Articles 8.4 to 8.6; and
33.3.6.3 where an election has been made
pursuant to Article 25.3, a statement
that this is the case; and
33.3.6.4 signature by or on behalf of the
chargeholder; or
33.3.7 in the case of termination of the appointment of
an enterprise administrator pursuant to Article
25.11
33.3.7.1 identification of the enterprise
administrator; and
33.3.7.2 signature by or on behalf of the
chargeholder; or
33.3.8 in the case of appointment of a new enterprise
administrator pursuant to Article 25.12
33.3.8.1 identification of the enterprise
administrator; and
33.3.8.2 signatures by or on behalf of the
chargeholder and the enterprise
administrator; or
33.3.9 in the case of an interim order made under
Article 29.3
33.3.9.1 a description of the interim order; and
33.3.9.2 identification of the person who
applied for the order; and
33.3.9.3 signature by or on behalf of the person
who applied for the order; or
33.3.10 in the case of the termination of a registered
charge pursuant to Article 32, signature by or on
behalf of the chargeholder; or
33.3.11 in the case of deregistration of an enforcement
notice pursuant to Article 22.6
33.3.11.1 the date of delivery of the
enforcement notice; and
33.3.11.2 signature by or on behalf of the
chargeholder; or
33.3.6.2 See commentary to Article 22.7.1.2.
33.3.6.3 If the election is not registered it is not effective.
33.3.7/8 The chargeholder is under an obligation to register the
termination or new appointment (see Article 25.15).
33.3.8.2 The enterprise administrator has to sign the registration
statement for his appointment but not for its termination
(see Article 33.3.7.2).
33.3.10 The termination is registered but the record that the charge
existed remains on the register.
33.3.11/12 In the case of an enforcement notice or an interim order it is
deregistered so that no record of its prior existence remains
on the register.
33.3.12 in the case of deregistration of an interim order
made under Article 29.3
33.3.12.1 a description of the interim order; and
33.3.12.2 signature by or on behalf of the person
who applied for the order.
33.4 Where there is more than one chargor a separate
supplementary registration statement must be presented for
each chargor.
Article 34. Registration Procedure
34.1 The registrar may accept a registration statement pursuant
to Article 8 or a supplementary registration statement
pursuant to Article 33 in such form as he deems fit and can
only refuse to register
34.1.1 if the registration statement or supplementary
registration statement does not comply with the
requirements of Article 8 or 33; or
34.1.2 if the required registration fee is not paid.
34.2 Upon acceptance of a registration statement or a
supplementary registration statement the registrar must
immediately
34.2.1 mark the time and date of presentation and the
stamp of the registration office on the registration
statement or supplementary registration statement
and, if supplied, on a copy; and
34.2.2 place the registration statement or supplementary
registration statement on the register against the
name of the chargor and hand the copy, if
supplied, to the presenter.
34.3 If the registrar refuses to accept a registration statement or
a supplementary registration statement for one of the
reasons in Article 34.1 he must at the same time notify the
person presenting the registration statement or
supplementary registration statement in writing of the
reasons for his refusal and that person may present
34.3.1 a new registration statement within the 30 day
period pursuant to Article 8.1 or, if later, within
15 days of such notification; or
34.3.2 a new supplementary registration statement
within seven days in the cases referred to in
Articles 33.1.6 to 33.1.9 or at any time in any
other case.
33.4 See commentary to Article 8.7.
Article 34
Article 34 contains minimum registration procedures which
will need to be supplemented according to the system of
registration that is used.
34.1 The registration system must be rapid. The practical value
of a charge will be reduced if the registrar can delay while
considering whether or not to register. The registrar
therefore has to check only that the matters provided under
Articles 8 or 33 have been included.
34.1.2 The level of fee payable must not be so high as to
discourage the granting of charges.
34.2 When a statement is accepted registration must be
immediate. The copy may be used by the chargeholder as
proof that the statement was accepted for registration.
Where, as is likely, the register is in computerised form
appropriate adaptation of procedures should be made.
34.3 If the registrar refuses to accept a statement he has to give
the person presenting the opportunity to present a revised
statement. He can only refuse for the reasons set out in
Article 34.1.
34.4 The time of registration is the time when the registration
statement or supplementary registration statement is
presented at the charges' registry or, where Article 34.3
applies, the time when the new registration statement or
new supplementary registration statement is presented at
the charges' registry.
Article 35. Access to the Register
Any person may against payment of the required fee have access to
the register and receive a copy of any entry on it.
34.4 The time marked pursuant to Article 34.2.1 will in practice
serve as evidence of the time of registration.
Article 35
More detailed provisions regarding access may be required
but the fundamental principle is that it is open to all.
Schedule 1. Charging Instrument (Article 7.2 MLST)
Charging Instrument
1. [Name of chargor]
[Address of chargor]
[Other identification of chargor as necessary]
agrees to grant to
[Name of chargeholder]
[Address of chargeholder]
[Other identification of chargeholder as necessary]
a charge of the things and rights described below to secure the debt described below.
2. The debt secured by the charge is [describe secured debt].
3. [Include identification of person owing the secured debt if not chargor.
For a possessory charge state maximum amount of secured debt]
4. The things and rights charged are [describe charged property].
5. [Other matters pursuant to Article 7.5]
Signature of chargor and date of signature
Signature of chargeholder
Schedule 2. Registration Statement (Article 8.3 MLST)
Registration Statement
1. [Name, address and other identification as necessary of chargor]
2. [Name, address and other identification as necessary of person owing the secured debt (if not the chargor)]
3. [Name, address and other identification as necessary of chargeholder]
4. [Name address and other identification as necessary of charge manager (if appointed)]
5. [Identification of the secured debt]
6. [Maximum amount of the secured debt]
7. [Identification of the charged property]
8. [If appropriate] The charge is an enterprise charge.
9. [Date of the charging instrument] [Except where an unpaid vendor's charge is being converted into a registered
charge]
10. [Where an unpaid vendor's charge is being converted into a registered charge]
10.1 This registration statement is for the conversion of an unpaid vendor's charge into a registered charge.
10.2 [Date on which charged property was transferred to the chargeholder]
10.3 [Date and identification of the written agreement giving rise to the unpaid vendor's charge]
11. [Where a possessory charge is being converted into a registered charge]
11.1 This registration statement is for the conversion of a possessory charge into a registered charge.
11.2 [Date on which possession of the charged property was given] [If later than the date of the charging
instrument]
Signature of chargor Signature of charge manager (if
appointed)
[Or where an unpaid vendor's charge or a possessory charge is being converted into a registered charge
Signature of chargeholder]