
A voidable floating charge is a type of security interest that can be challenged by a company in insolvency.
A floating charge is a charge that attaches to the assets of a company, but does not specify which assets are covered. This means that the charge can shift to cover new assets as they are acquired by the company.
A voidable floating charge can be challenged by the company if it was created in a way that was not in accordance with the law, or if the company was not given proper notice of the creation of the charge.
This can be a complex and nuanced area of law, but understanding the basics can help companies and creditors navigate the insolvency process with confidence.
For more insights, see: Voidable
What is a Voidable Floating Charge?
A voidable floating charge is a type of charge that can be void or unenforceable in whole or in part under applicable insolvency legislation.

It's entered into shortly before a company goes into liquidation, which is a major red flag.
The vulnerability period is a crucial factor here, as it's the time period prescribed by statute immediately preceding the company's liquidation.
If a floating charge is entered into during this period, it's potentially vulnerable, but only for parties who are not connected to the company.
In some jurisdictions, a voidable floating charge is automatically void or not enforceable, while in others, it's only voidable and an application must be made by a liquidator or creditor to set it aside.
A floating charge only secures new money for the company, so if a bank has a loan of £100 outstanding and advances a further £50, the charge will only secure the £50 advance.
Broaden your view: Liquidation in Ireland
Practical Considerations
A floating charge can be a useful tool for lenders, but it's not without its risks. Lenders can ask the company to give them security over its assets at the time of advancing the money.
See what others are reading: Chattel Mortgage Lenders
This security can be in the form of a floating charge, which gives the lender security over all of the company's movable assets such as plant and equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and office equipment.
In the event of a liquidation, the holder of a floating charge is entitled to look to the proceeds of realisation of these assets for payment of the outstanding advance. However, preferential creditors must be paid first out of the proceeds of realisation before any payment can be made to the floating charge holder.
Take a look at this: Floating Interest Rate
The Practical Solution
To navigate a company's financial struggles, a lender can take a practical approach by asking for security over the company's assets at the time of advancing funds.
This security can be in the form of a floating charge, which gives the lender rights over movable assets such as plant and equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and office equipment.
A floating charge holder is entitled to look to the proceeds of realisation of these assets for payment of the outstanding advance in the event of a liquidation.
However, it's essential to note that the claims of preferential creditors must be paid first out of the proceeds of realisation of these assets before any payment can be made to the floating charge holder.
Broaden your view: Holder (law)
Implementation and Effectiveness

The effectiveness of a project largely depends on its implementation, which should be carefully planned to ensure smooth execution.
A well-defined project scope helps to prevent scope creep, which can lead to delays and cost overruns.
Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks helps to reduce complexity and increase productivity.
Regular progress monitoring and feedback sessions are essential to identify and address potential issues early on.
In the context of our previous example, the project manager was able to identify and rectify issues with the team's communication and collaboration tools, which ultimately improved the team's overall performance.
A project's timeline can be significantly affected by the availability of resources, such as personnel and equipment.
The project manager's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and prioritize tasks effectively is crucial to meeting project deadlines.
In our previous example, the project manager's flexibility and ability to adjust to unexpected delays helped to minimize the impact on the project timeline.
Here's an interesting read: Do Debt Collectors Have to Identify Themselves
Floating Charges in Law

A floating charge can be voidable in law, particularly if it's entered into shortly before a company goes into liquidation. This is known as a voidable floating charge.
In most jurisdictions, a floating charge is only vulnerable to the extent that it doesn't secure new money for the company. For instance, if a bank advances a further £50 to a company with an existing loan of £100, the floating charge will only secure the new £50 advance, not the original £100.
The vulnerability period is a crucial factor in determining the validity of a floating charge. This period is prescribed by statute and varies depending on whether the party is connected to the company or not. In some jurisdictions, a voidable floating charge is automatically void, while in others, it's only voidable and requires an application to be set aside.
Here are the key factors to consider when dealing with a floating charge:
- cash was advanced to the company;
- the cash was paid at the time of or after the creation of the charge;
- the cash was paid in consideration of the charge being granted.
If the company was insolvent at the time of the floating charge creation, the lender may still be able to prove the validity of the charge if these conditions are met.
Types of Voidable Charges

Floating charges can be voidable in certain circumstances.
A charge can be voidable if it was created for a fraudulent purpose.
A company may also challenge a floating charge if it was created without proper authority.
A floating charge can be challenged if it was created in a way that is contrary to the company's constitution.
A company may also challenge a floating charge if it was created to benefit a specific individual or group at the expense of other creditors.
Floating Charges (Insolvency Act 1986)
A floating charge entered into shortly before a company goes into liquidation can be void or unenforceable in whole or in part under applicable insolvency legislation. This is known as a voidable floating charge.
The vulnerability period, a period prescribed by statute, is crucial in determining the validity of a floating charge. This period varies depending on the jurisdiction and the relationship between the company and the parties involved.
Intriguing read: Period of Financial Distress

In most jurisdictions, a floating charge is only vulnerable to the extent that it does not secure new money for the company. If a lender advances new funds to a company, a floating charge can secure those funds, but not the existing debt.
If a company is insolvent when a floating charge is created, the charge may be invalid unless the lender can prove that new money was advanced to the company in consideration of the charge being granted. This requires that the loan agreement and floating charge documentation are properly drawn up and registered with the Companies Registry within the prescribed time period.
Failure to register the charge within 1 month of its creation can render it invalid in the event of the company going into liquidation.
Related reading: Can Debt Collectors Take Money from Your Bank Account
Featured Images: pexels.com


