What is the significance of the 7 February 2017? The 7 February 2017 (or return date) is when the High Court will decide if the companies should be placed in final liquidation. The order granted on 9 October 2016 to wind up the companies was only a provisional liquidation order or rule nisi. Per the court order any interested party may apply to the court to not grant the order finally winding up the companies. The court can decide to extend the provisional liquidation period and delay the final winding up order if it believes it necessary. Do you expect the final liquidation to go ahead? In order for the final liquidation order not to be granted i.e. the provisional liquidation order is discharged, it would need to be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the court that the companies were not insolvent (or that the winding up petition should be dismissed). Based on my assessment all three companies are fatally insolvent. Therefore, in my view, it is in the best interests of all of the creditors that the companies be finally wound up and the liquidation process followed to its conclusion. Does the liquidation end on 7 February 2017? No,…