Insolvency and corporate recovery in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP's insolvency team ‘provides comprehensive advice in complex cross-border insolvency litigation' and clients note that the lawyers are ‘responsive, reliable and very effective'. The firm acts for leading insolvency practitioners on the scope of matters, among them RSM Recovery and Restructuring and Price Bailey. Practice head Laurence Weeks in Cambridge, who is a Fellow and Council member of R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals, ‘has been in the industry for years and is very knowledgeable in all things insolvency-related'. Key partner Maria-Christina Peyman, along with Norwich-based non-contentious specialist Greg Allan and qualified barrister Andrew Kinnison, also play pivotal roles in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Laurence Weeks


Other key lawyers:

Maria-Christina Peyman; Greg Allan; Andrew Kinnison


Testimonials

‘Birketts was recommended to me and I have found their personal approach to be exceptional. I have since recommended Birketts to others.’

‘The team provided us with comprehensive advice in complex, cross-border insolvency litigation. Laurence Weeks is responsive and reliable.’

‘A large firm with specialist teams in all sectors.’

‘Laurence Weeks has been in the industry for years and is very knowledgeable in all things insolvency-related.’

‘The firm is very versatile, knowledgeable and covers a variety of areas. The team are all very friendly, helpful and work with speed and impressive accuracy.’

‘An excellent breadth of specialists in all areas of law.’

Key clients

FRP Advisory Trading Limited


RSM Recovery and Restructuring LLP


Ensors Accountants LLP


Price Bailey LLP


Resolve Group UK


McTear Williams and Wood LLP


Work highlights


  • Acting for the administrators and the director of a company in a pre-pack administration and subsequent sale of assets and surrender of leases.
  • Acting for the administrators and director of a company in administration and subsequent and ongoing disposal of assets.

Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP‘s insolvency practice is noted as having ‘superb expertise in this field’. The group is led by head of insolvency and corporate recovery Michael Green from Cambridge and Morris Peacock from Norwich, who oversees the firm’s work for the Insolvency Service. He notably acted for the Insolvency Service in the investigation into the alleged failure of BHS Limited and connected companies and the subsequent conduct of directors’ disqualification proceedings. The team is noted as having ‘a wealth of experience in running all aspects of heavy litigation’. In Norwich, ‘excellent solicitor’ William Shirley, ‘who is very experienced in litigation and advisory work’, and senior associates Leon Head and Patrick Manning are all central to the practice.

Practice head(s):

Michael Green; Morris Peacock


 


Other key lawyers:

William Shirley; Leon Head; Patrick Manning; Phillippa Summerlee; Victoria Sandell; Eleanor Waters


Testimonials

‘The team has superb expertise in this field, including in the context of high-profile government instructions in directors’ disqualifications and public interest winding-ups. The team has a wealth of experience in running all aspects of heavy litigation and the complex disclosure that involves. It is able to give effective strategic advice to clients and has excellent foresight to anticipate issues in litigation and deal with them effectively.’

‘Morris Peacock is a very experienced and excellent solicitor. He is very adept at covering the granular detail of cases in order to advice effectively on merits.’

‘William Shirley is an excellent solicitor who is very experienced in litigation and advisory work. He dispenses advice authoritatively and is good at making commercial decisions in litigation that has clearly in mind the best interests of his client.’

‘Patrick Manning is a very effective litigator. He is particularly adept at settling difficult issues in correspondence and making tactical decisions during trial. He works very well as part of a team and has a calm manner with clients that inspires confidence during litigation.’

‘The Norwich team are very capable; they have a rare depth of expertise in specific areas of insolvency and their advice is well-considered and priced fairly.’

‘I work with William Shirley and Leon Head. They are fantastic advocates for their firm and are passionate about their local area and the clients within. I have valued both their technical support as well as their drive to progress our ongoing business relationship.’

‘The insolvency team is excellent. They are proactive, engaging and move matters forward, providing solid advice in any type of insolvency appointment.’

‘Michael Green is a great lawyer, knowledgeable and easy to deal with.’

Key clients

The Insolvency Service


Mazars LLP


Antony Batty & Co


Peter Elsworthy & Moore Limited


BDO UK LLP


Isadore Goldman

Isadore Goldman, which has a key hub in Norwich, is a specialist insolvency firm that handles disputes, restructuring advisory work and litigation. The firm has a national client base that includes major IPs such as Ensors and McTear Williams & Wood. The team is described as being ‘extremely friendly, with excellent technical knowledge’. Associate director Sian Leonard and associate Jenna Ansell, who manages day-to-day instructions under the firm’s contract with Aviva, are highly recommended. Leonard advised an IP on a £1.5m CVA and complex agreements with creditors. Former practice heads Adam McCaw and Frank Brumby have left the firm.

Other key lawyers:

Sian Leonard; Jenna Ansell


Testimonials

‘The team is extremely friendly, with excellent technical knowledge.’

‘Sian Leonard is a pleasure to work with. In addition to her excellent client skills and technical knowledge, she gives matters her full attention.’

‘Isadore Goldman is a specialist team of dynamic individuals whose combined experience and expertise in insolvency is unmatched. They are the best in their field.’

‘Isadore Goldman are a firm specialising in insolvency and commercial matters. The team has extensive and wide-ranging knowledge of insolvency, which gives clients confidence in their advice.’

‘Many individuals at Isadore Goldman have considerable experience in insolvency law and the advice they give is extremely thorough. In particular I would have no hesitation in recommending Sian Leonard and Adam McCaw as professional and commercial solicitors.’

‘Jenna Ansell and Adam McCaw are both excellent members of Isadore Goldman’s East Anglia team. Adam has a superb attention-to-detail and commercial sense. Jenna has a breadth of knowledge but provides a very useful property dimension both for standalone property practice and as an important addition to the firm’s insolvency offering.’

‘Of all of the insolvency firms I have worked with the members of Isadore Goldman have the best depth and breadth of industry knowledge and legal knowledge. This is invaluable in allowing for an accurate early assessment of a potential case as well as strong input in terms of strategic approach to how the matter is going to be resolved.’

Key clients

Aviva


McTear Williams & Wood


Fleximize Capital Limited


Price Bailey LLP


Ensors


SFP Resturcturing Limited


Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP


RSM


Parker Andrews Ltd


FRP Advisory


Work highlights


  • Advising an Insolvency Practitioner client and pursuing a director on behalf of a liquidator in relation to a large misfeasance claim for the value of £5m based on a group intercompany debt. The group intercompany debt follows a large restructuring of the company.
  • Advised an Insolvency Practitioner client on the intricacies of a large £1.5m Company Voluntary Agreement.

Mills & Reeve LLP

The ‘proactive and user-friendly‘ restructuring and insolvency group at Mills & Reeve LLP handles high-value and complex asset recovery claims both for and against insolvency practitioners. The broader practice is led from London but principal associate Lino Di Lorenzo is the key name in Cambridge, noted for his ‘excellent knowledge and understanding of the law which he applies to good effect'. Di Lorenzo stands out for his expertise in cross-border insolvencies and high-value, complex asset recovery actions. In the Norwich office, Catherine Noble handles complex claims to assist in the recovery of assets for estates, and Lynne Lawn specialises in debt recovery and asset recovery claims for the Official Receiver. Former lead partner Jamie Wheatley  retired from the practice in 2022.

Other key lawyers:

Lino Di Lorenzo; Catherine Noble; Lynne Lawn


Testimonials

‘The team is highly knowledgeable and experienced in insolvency and corporate recovery disputes. Particular strengths include their acting for and against insolvent companies and office holders in claims concerning director’s duties and those under the Insolvency Act.’

‘Lino Di Lorenzo has excellent knowledge and understanding of the law which he applies to good effect. He works tremendously hard for clients, provides pragmatic and thoughtful advice and is a pleasure to work with.’

‘Teams at the firm are genuine specialists in their chosen fields. They are incredibly hardworking and no task is a problem. Very responsive and leaders in their various sectors.’

‘I find them proactive and user-friendly and they have a regular helpful newsletter.’

Key clients

McTear Williams & Wood


Moorfields Corporate Recovery


Moore Stephens/BDO


Regulator for Social Housing


American International Group UK Limited


Opus


FRP Advisory


Homes and Communities Agency


Insolvency Service and Official Receivers


Department for Education


Work highlights


  • Acting for a client in a 4-week multiparty trial listed in November 2022 defending claims for in excess of £30m, arising from alleged breach of duty, negligence and dishonest assistance in connection with the restructure of a cosmetic surgery business in 2012.
  • Advising a client on issues relating to its administration and subsequent sale which concluded this year.
  • Securing an injunction on an emergency basis to restrain the presentation of a winding up petition against a company in connection with a disputed debt.

Mishcon de Reya LLP

Mishcon de Reya LLP‘s insolvency team in Cambridge is noted as taking a common-sense, practical approach to cases and is very responsive to clients, and pro-active in case management’. Lead partner and licensed IP Adam Bradley recently acted for accountants Leonard Curtis Ltd in the proposed administration of a communication system company. Litigator Luke Hibbert has a broad background in disputes but frequently focuses on high-value insolvency matters. Senior counsel Jessica Boxford are and associate Jamie Short are described as being ‘a real pleasure to work with’; both are recommended for contentious matters.

Practice head(s):

Adam Bradley


Other key lawyers:

Jessica Boxford; Luke Hibbert; Jamie Short


Testimonials

‘Their efficiency, high professional standard, high-quality advising and organisation stand out.’

‘The firm takes a common-sense, practical approach to cases which initially seem complex, cutting through the detail to get to the core of a dispute. They are very responsive to clients, and proactive in case management.’

‘Jessica Boxford and Jamie Short are a real pleasure to work with. They have great attention to detail and bring a sound, practical approach to cases. They are both a safe pair of hands.’

‘Jamie Short ably handles sensitivities and vulnerabilities for clients. Jamie is very helpful.’

‘Associate Jamie Short understands what is commercially achievable for his clients and seeks to achieve the best outcome therein.’

Key clients

Leonard Curtis Ltd


Ensors Chartered Accountants


FRP Advisory LLP


Work highlights


  • Acted for Leonard Curtis in relation to two separate administrations during the year, and in both cases negotiated and executed successful pre-pack sales upon their appointment.
  • Advised an IT software provider on its ability to restrict access to its IT services upon its customer entering administration and the eventual novation of the IT licence.
  • Advised a shareholder of a company in members voluntary liquidation in respect of an attempt by the liquidator to convert the liquidation in to a CVL, and a claim against the shareholder in respect of an indemnity he had given for an early distribution made to him.

Ashtons Legal

The practice at Ashtons Legal's insolvency offering is ‘close-knit and collaborative in style, and able to flex to client demands'. Practice head Fiona Stuart in Norwich ‘has a wealth of knowledge and is as a joy to work with'; notably, she recently worked with associate Alice Trainor to advise Ensors on a complex £1.5m bankruptcy. Senior associate Ina Beurich joined in September 2022 from Leathes Prior, bringing her in-depth knowledge of complex, contentious insolvency-related matters. Litigator Michael Frape in Cambridge is also a key partner for contentious matters.

Practice head(s):

Fiona Stuart


Other key lawyers:

Ina Beurich; Alice Trainor; Michael Frape


Testimonials

‘The team is close-knit and collaborative in style, and able to flex to client demands.’

‘Fiona Stuart heads the team and is a very clever and technical solicitor. She is supported by Alice Trainor and Ina Beurich to ensure a smooth delivery of service.’

‘Fiona Stuart has a wealth of knowledge and is as a joy to work with. She is willing to go the extra mile.’

Key clients

McTear Williams and Wood


Ensors


MHA Larking Gowen


RCM Advisory Limited


Price Bailey


Begbies Traynor


FRP Advisory


Peters Elworthy & Moore


Larking Gowen


Parker Andrews


Manolete Partners PLC


FTS Recovery


Moore Kingston Smith


Work highlights


  • Assisted and advised Manolete Partners PLC in connection with the issuing of proceedings in connection with various claims against a former director of a company in liquidation.
  • Successfully obtained a five-year extension to the term of an administration on behalf of Begbies Traynor.
  • Advising FRP Advisory on a pre-pack sale of the business and assets of a company to an unconnected party.

Barker Gotelee

At Barker Gotelee in Ipswich, the insolvency team is ‘very technically astute and practical‘, and clients remark that it is formed of practitioners who are ‘extremely knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of clients'. The ‘very sharp, sensible and pragmaticJohn Bradshaw is head of the insolvency and business recovery group, working closely with litigation and business services partner Dermott Thomas, corporate and charities partner Clare Richards, and real estate litigation partner Mark Wrinch. ‘Extremely approachable‘ legal executive Sarah Mower ‘gives excellent advice'.

Practice head(s):

John Bradshaw; Dermott Thomas; Clare Richards; Mark Wrinch


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Mower


Testimonials

‘The team are extremely knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of clients. They provide sensible and relevant advice.’

‘John Bradshaw and Sarah Mower always go the extra mile for their clients.’

‘The team is very technically astute and practical.’

Key clients

Ensors


McTear, Williams & Wood Limited


Price Bailey LLP


Begbies Traynor


RSM


PEM


Bulley Davey


DCA BR Ltd


A D Business Recovery Limited


McKay Business Solutions Limited


Stephen M Rout & Company


Manolete Partners Plc


Buckles Solicitors LLP

The restructuring, turnaround and insolvency group at Buckles Solicitors LLP is ‘friendly, approachable and commercial‘, and clients note that matters are dealt with in ‘impeccably and in a cost-effective manner‘. Practice head and insolvency specialist Rachel McCahill is based in Nottingham but the Peterborough office remains a key hub for the practice. Cambridge-based senior associate Nick Porter is vastly experienced in commercial litigation and contentious insolvency matters and clients remark that he is ‘astute to the commercial reality of claims‘.

Practice head(s):

Rachel McCahill


Other key lawyers:

Nick Porter


Testimonials

‘Friendly, approachable and commercial. They have dealt with a range of insolvency assignments on our behalf, all of which have been dealt with impeccably and in a cost-effective manner.’

‘Rachel McCahill is knowledgeable, approachable and commercial. One of our go-to solicitors for most insolvency assignments.’

‘Rachel McCahill leads the team and is supported by Nick Porter. Rachel is not afraid to pick up the phone and do a deal on a commercial basis. Nick Porter is also astute to the commercial reality of claims.’

Key clients

PKF Smith Cooper


RSM Tenon


Manolete Partners Plc


Kennway Francis Ltd


Sterling Advisory Limited


FRP Trading Advisory Limited


The Macdonald Partnership Limited


Robert Day & Company


Ensors


Opus Restructuring and Insolvency


Garner Advisory