Liquidation VS Dissolution – What’s The Difference?

Liquidation and dissolution are two distinct processes that are often associated with winding up a company. While both involve the conclusion of a company’s operations, they serve different purposes and have different implications. Liquidation focuses on the sale of assets, settlement of debts, and distribution of funds to stakeholders, typically in the context of insolvency. 

On the other hand, dissolution pertains to the legal termination of a company’s existence as a separate legal entity. It is a process that brings finality to the company’s operations and allows for the removal of its name from official records. 

Understanding the differences between liquidation and dissolution is crucial for business owners, stakeholders, and professionals involved in the process of winding up a company.

Refer to How to Close a Company in South Korea for more information.

WHAT IS DISSOLUTION?

The company’s status as a legal entity is terminated through dissolution. A director of a company has the option to voluntarily dissolve their business by submitting a DS01 form to Companies House for a fee of £10. This is possible if the business:

• has not traded or sold any shares in the previous three months.
• has not had a name change in the past three months
• not under threat of liquidation and does not have any agreements with creditors, such as a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).

When a business has accomplished its goals, is no longer operational, and is unlikely to be needed in the future, dissolution may be beneficial. Suppose, for instance, that the director decides to retire.

A business may, however, be involuntarily dissolved by Companies House for “non-compliance.” One may cite non-compliance as justification for:

• not having a director appointed
• not submitting yearly returns
• failure to submit yearly accounts

A corporation that is dissolved is still included on the Companies House register with the designation “dissolved.” This will continue for 20 years, after which it will be archived and removed from the registry.

TYPES OF COMPANY DISSOLUTION

• Voluntary Dissolution – This occurs when the company’s shareholders or directors decide to dissolve the company even if it is financially solvent. It may be due to a change in business direction, retirement of the owner, or other strategic considerations.
• Administrative Dissolution – If a company fails to meet certain legal requirements, such as filing annual reports or paying fees, the government or regulatory authorities may administratively dissolve the company. This is typically a non-voluntary dissolution.

REASON TO DISSOLVE A COMPANY

Choosing dissolution for a company can be a strategic decision based on various factors. Here are some reasons why a company may opt for dissolution:

• Change in Business Direction – If the company wants to shift its focus, enter a new industry, or pursue a different business model, dissolution can be a clean and efficient way to end the existing entity. This allows the company to start fresh with a new structure, strategy, and brand.
• Retirement or Personal Reasons – The retirement or personal circumstances of the business owner or key stakeholders may lead to the decision to dissolve the company. If there is no suitable successor or desire to continue operations, dissolution can be a logical choice.
• Lack of Profitability – If the company has consistently struggled to generate profits or maintain a sustainable business model, dissolution may be considered. It allows the owners to cut their losses, minimize ongoing expenses, and explore other opportunities.
• Partnership Disputes – In cases where partners have irreconcilable differences or disagreements, dissolution can be an option to amicably end the business relationship. It allows for the division of assets and a clean break between the partners.
• Regulatory or Legal Issues – If the company is facing insurmountable legal challenges, regulatory violations, or potential lawsuits, dissolution may be chosen to limit liability and minimize the impact on stakeholders. It can provide a fresh start without the burdensome legal or regulatory baggage.
• Mergers and Acquisitions – In the case of a merger or acquisition, the acquiring company may choose to dissolve the acquired company and integrate its operations into its existing structure. This allows for a seamless consolidation of resources, elimination of duplicate functions, and realization of synergies.
• Strategic Restructuring – Dissolution can be part of a broader strategic restructuring plan. By dissolving the company, the owners can reorganize operations, streamline processes, and optimize efficiency to better position themselves for future growth or profitability.

WHAT IS A LIQUIDATION?

When a corporation needs to be officially closed yet has assets and liabilities that need to be handled, the process is known as liquidation. The company’s owners and creditors will need to be divided up among these assets and liabilities.

A licensed insolvency practitioner must be legally appointed to manage and carry out the process of liquidating a firm.

Meetings will need to be held with the company’s shareholders and creditors, and for the liquidation to move forward, 75% of them must approve.

TYPES OF LIQUIDATION

• Compulsory Liquidation

Compulsory liquidation, also known as involuntary liquidation, occurs when a court orders the winding up of a company. This typically happens in the following scenarios:

1. Creditors initiate the process by filing a winding-up petition due to unpaid debts.
2. The company fails to pay its debts or fulfill legal obligations.
3. The court determines that it is just and equitable to wind up the company.

In compulsory liquidation, a court-appointed liquidator takes charge of selling the company’s assets and distributing the proceeds among creditors according to a legally prescribed priority.

• Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL)

A creditors’ voluntary liquidation is a process initiated by the company’s directors and shareholders. It is chosen when the company is insolvent, meaning it is unable to pay its debts as they become due. The key steps involved in a CVL are as follows:

1. The directors convene a meeting of the shareholders to propose the liquidation.
2. The shareholders pass a special resolution to wind up the company, and a meeting of creditors is subsequently held.
3. The creditors appoint a liquidator to oversee the liquidation process, including asset realization and debt distribution.

The primary goal of a CVL is to ensure that the company’s assets are liquidated and distributed among creditors in a fair and orderly manner.

Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL)

A members’ voluntary liquidation is a voluntary process initiated by the company’s shareholders when the company is solvent. It is typically used when the shareholders wish to wind up the company and distribute its assets among themselves. The key steps involved in an MVL are as follows:

• The directors make a declaration of solvency stating that the company will be able to pay its debts within a specified timeframe.
• The shareholders pass a special resolution to wind up the company, and a liquidator is appointed to oversee the process.
• The liquidator’s primary role is to sell the company’s assets, settle any remaining liabilities, and distribute the remaining funds among the shareholders.

An MVL allows the shareholders to realize the value of the company’s assets and provide an orderly and tax-efficient closure of the business.

REASONS TO LIQUIDATE A COMPANY

Here are some reasons why a company may opt for liquidation:

• Insolvency – If a company is unable to pay its debts as they become due or its liabilities exceed its assets, liquidation may be the appropriate course of action. By liquidating the company’s assets, the proceeds can be used to repay creditors to the extent possible.
• Maximizing Asset Value – Liquidation enables the efficient selling of a company’s assets in order to raise the most money possible. This is especially important if the business owns significant assets that may be sold off separately, including equipment, real estate, or intellectual property.
• Closure and Finality – Liquidation puts a stop to the business’s operations for good. It enables the owners and stakeholders to close the company and move on with confidence that all unfinished business has been taken care of.
• Exit strategy – Business owners who desire to leave the industry or explore other possibilities may use liquidation as an exit plan. They may recover their investment and use the money for either personal or professional use by selling the company’s assets.
• Debt Resolution – Liquidation may be used to settle unpaid obligations and debts. The money from the sale of the company’s assets can be used to settle creditors’ claims and debts, thus averting protracted legal disputes or unsustainable debt burdens.
• Simplifying Complex Situations – Liquidation can be a viable option in complex situations such as partnership disputes or the dissolution of joint ventures. It provides a structured and fair process for dividing and distributing assets among the involved parties.
• Compliance with Legal Requirements – In some cases, liquidation may be required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations. For example, certain jurisdictions may mandate liquidation for companies that have become dormant or inactive for an extended period.
• Strategic Restructuring – Liquidation can be part of a broader strategic restructuring plan. By liquidating certain divisions or subsidiaries, a company can focus its resources on core operations, improve efficiency, and strengthen its financial position.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Reach out to us at Relin Consultants – Leading Global Business Set Up Partners for further assistance.