Going for broke - courts can't keep up with company failures

The law can't cope with the number of companies going broke.

It's becoming a world wide picture.

NBR reports Auckland’s High Court has had to schedule extra sessions to cope with the increasing number of companies going under.

The number of businesses being placed into liquidation is rising dramatically as the recession bites: last week in Auckland alone, more than 100 companies were called in court proceedings to be closed or placed into liquidation.

In the UK, a company which broadcasts English Premier League football under the name GTV to tens of thousands of subscribers across Africa has gone into liquidation.

In Minnesota today, the newspaper, the Star Tribune's move to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy puts 1,400 local workers' jobs in limbo.

Big UK retailers go bust

The Independent reports two more big UK retailers have collapsed into administration, becoming the latest victims of the Christmas retail crisis and sparking fears over hundreds of jobs.

USC, the 58-store branded fashion chain backed by the business tycoon Sir Tom Hunter, appointed the accountancy firm PKF as administrator and Passion for Perfume, a 45-store fragrance chain, has also called in the administrators.

They follow the appointment of administrators by Whittard of Chelsea, the coffee and tea specialist, The Officers Club, the menswear chain, and Zavvi, the entertainment retailer.