Strengthening the Contractual Framework for Sovereign Debt Restructuring - The IMF's Perspective
Capital Markets Law Journal, Volume 11, Issue 1, 1 January 2016, Pages 25–37
14 Pages Posted: 5 Feb 2016 Last revised: 17 Jun 2018
Date Written: January 1, 2016
Abstract
This article discusses the impetus for, key features of, and recent experience in implementing reforms to international sovereign debt contracts. Recognizing the vulnerabilities in the existing contractual framework for sovereign debt restructuring, the IMF in 2014 endorsed reforms to collective action and pari passu clauses in international sovereign bonds designed to limit the scope for holdout creditors to undermine a restructuring. Progress in incorporating the enhanced clauses in international sovereign bonds has been rapid – with the majority of issuances now including these clauses. However, a substantial stock of outstanding bonds remains without these provisions. The IMF will continue to engage actively with its membership and the markets to further promote the inclusion of the enhanced clauses in new issuances and, where feasible, accelerate the turnover of legacy bonds.
Keywords: Sovereign Debt, Restructuring, International Finance, IMF, Global Financial Crisis
JEL Classification: F3, G15, K33
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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