Insolvency and corporate recovery in Northern Ireland

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP fields a ‘commercial, practical, responsive and flexible’ team with expertise in both contentious and non-contentious insolvencies. The group has experience in complex and high-stakes matters, including those with multijurisdictional elements. Team lead Sam Corbett specialises in insolvency and restructuring work, and financial services litigation. Former co-lead and Belfast office head Michael Neill remains a core team member, and covers all aspects of corporate restructuring and business recovery work. Senior associate Ross Kane, whose practice includes advising on security enforcement and restructuring transactions, has over 16 years’ experience in the practice area. Other prominent names include senior associate Tanya Surgeon and associate Dean Barr.

Practice head(s):

Sam Corbett


Other key lawyers:

Michael Neill; Ross Kane; Tanya Surgeon; Dean Barr


Testimonials

‘Constant ability to deliver in pressure situations. Always contactable and provide sound, commercial and technical advice when it is needed.’

‘Sam Corbett has an excellent technical and commercial understanding of the issues at hand. Tanya Surgeon and Chris Coulter are associates to watch in the future.’

‘Responsive, clear advice.’

‘The team provide a collaborative approach to all engagements and where appropriate pool the resources and knowledge of other teams and resource across the practice, providing a “one-stop shop” for all legal needs.’

‘Sam Corbett is a commercial fountain of knowledge, particularly in respect of restructuring matters. His advice is always clear and concise and above all else, commercial. He is always contactable and understands the requirement for timely commercial and practical advice.’

‘The team has a full service capability in Northern Ireland with strong links to ROI for cross border requirements. Excellent team, commercial, practical, responsive and flexible.’

‘Michael Neill – Huge experience in restructuring and very good as a sounding board on wider issues. He represents ALG fantastically well in the local market. Sam Corbett – Arguably the leading insolvency lawyer in NI.’

Key clients

Keenan Corporate Finance


Deloitte


Teneo


Cavanagh Kelly


Grant Thornton


Danske Bank


EY


Bank of Ireland


KPMG


Kroll


ASM


AIB


Ulster Bank


KPMG


Santander


HNH Group


Alvarez & Marshall


FRP Advisory


Cerberus Capital Management


Work highlights


  • Advised Keenan Corporate Finance on the Administration of the Hippocampus Marine Group.
  • Advised Kroll on the Administration of Bedford Hotel Limited and the sale of the George Best Hotel.
  • Advised Cavanagh Kelly on the Administration of NI Climbing Frames.

Arthur Cox Belfast

Arthur Cox Belfast‘s team is experienced acting for directors, creditors, lenders and insolvency practitioners. Areas of expertise include debt recovery, corporate restructuring, and cross border insolvency. Stuart Mansfield, who leads the team, specialises in advising lenders and creditors on restructurings and insolvencies. Colm McElroy covers a broad range of refinancing and corporate insolvency matters, with a specialism in the management of non-performing loan portfolios.

Practice head(s):

Stuart Mansfield


Other key lawyers:

Colm McElroy


Testimonials

‘Provide a full service offering with quality across the key departments we use.’

‘Colm McElroy – highly responsive and knowledgeable. Gives commercial advice and a pleasure to work with.’

‘First class customer service and depth of team.’

‘The team within Arthur Cox are very knowledgeable and responsive. The team are able to break down problems and provide solutions for complex situations.’

‘Arthur Cox are the first firm we consider when dealing with complex restructuring cases. The team are very approachable and have a breadth of knowledge which helps solve problems through collaboration.’

‘Colm McElroy brings a commercial focus to cases and is an innovative thinker, demonstrated by his willingness to take on new complex matters. The work delivered always represents high professional standards.’

 

Key clients

EY


Grant Thornton


PwC


Moorfields


Deloitte


Apex Housing Association


Starwood Property Trust, Inc


Bank of Ireland


Bank of Ireland


Work highlights


  • Advising Grant Thornton (as receivers) on English and Northern Irish aspects of the Roadbridge Limited receivership.
  • Providing advice to EY as liquidators and subsequently CVA supervisors in respect of complex liquidation and subsequent entry into CVA of high profile construction company, Dixons Contractors Ltd.
  • Acted for a banking syndicate led and arranged by Bank of Ireland in connection with an amendment and restatement of a truly global, Northern Irish headquartered, IT group.

Carson McDowell

Carson McDowell‘s team acts on a broad range of restructuring and insolvency matters for prominent domestic and international clients. The group also handles contentious insolvencies, financial litigation, and asset recovery matters. Team lead Darren Toombs has experience acting for liquidators, trustees in bankruptcy and administrators on recovery matters, and has expertise in financial litigation. Sinead McGrath advises clients on all aspects of solvent and insolvent restructuring.

Practice head(s):

Darren Toombs


Other key lawyers:

Sinead McGrath


Testimonials

‘Exceptional knowledge and commerciality.’

‘In depth knowledge of the law, commercial and pragmatic.’

‘This is a strong team with a depth of knowledge and is widely recognised.’

‘Darren Toombs is very efficient, diligent and competent in dealing with all insolvency related matters.’

‘Carson McDowell dealt with my company when it was under stress, and I can only praise them for how they dealt with everything. I had Darren Toombs from the Carson McDowell team; he did a very professional job.’

‘Darren Toombs was very professional and explained everything; his knowledge was the key factor why I am still in business today.’

‘All the individuals I have worked with have been professional and competent.’

‘Good technical knowledge with plenty of support. Ability to handle large and complex matters.’

Key clients

Directors of Wrightbus Limited and Wrights Group Limited


Cavanagh Kelly & Active Maintenance Services Limited


Grant Thornton Belfast


AIB (UK) PLC


RSM Belfast


Insolvency Practitioners – BDO Belfast


Keenan Corporate Finance


Medical Protection Society


Work highlights


  • Acting for various directors and alleged de facto directors of Wrightbus in defending Director Disqualification actions. The largest Director Disqualification action ever brought in N Ireland.
  • Acting in a significant share restructure for AIB by way of an application to the High Court in N Ireland for a reduction in issued share capital.
  • Acting for Cavanagh Kelly Insolvency Practitioners in relation to the Administration of Active Maintenance Solutions Limited a large provider of maintenance contracts to the NIHE.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin

Areas of expertise for Cleaver Fulton Rankin‘s multidisciplinary team include contentious and non-contentious insolvencies, corporate and financial restructuring, and distressed loan sales and purchases. Insolvency specialist Jeanette Donohoe leads the team, and is praised by clients for her ‘proactive commercial approach.‘ Donohoe is supported by Stephen Cross, who is dual qualified in both Northern Ireland and England and Wales, as well as associate director Maria McNally, whose practice includes both personal and corporate insolvency matters.

Practice head(s):

Jeanette Donohoe


Other key lawyers:

Stephen Cross; Maria McNally


Testimonials

‘This team is very responsive and commercial as well as being on top of their practice area. They are our go-to lawyers in NI.’

‘Jeannette Donohoe leads the practice and is very experienced. Her proactive commercial approach is valued by us. She is solution-driven.’

‘CFR enjoys a justifiable reputation for attention to detail and efficiency in speedily addressing litigation requirements and demands of the court.’

‘CFR has a team of experienced and commercial solicitors who are a pleasure to work with.’

‘Jeanette Donohoe (Partner) and Maria McNally (Associate Director) are exceptional solicitors. In addition to their extensive legal knowledge, they demonstrate a commercial attitude to the issues they are asked to consider.’

Key clients

Apex Group Fiduciary Services Limited


Baker Tilly Mooney Moore


McCambridge Duffy


HNH Group


Danske Bank


HSBC Bank Plc


BDO Northern Ireland


Invest NI


Ipsum Capital (GB) Limited


Department for Economy for Northern Ireland


Work highlights


  • Advising Ipsum Capital (GB) Limited in respect of the purchase of a loan portfolio from Santander PLC in a value of £15m.
  • Advising the Department for the Economy on the scheme of arrangement made in respect of the Presbyterian Mutual Society pursuant to the Presbyterian Mutual Society Scheme Regulations 2011.
  • Advising Intermediate Capital Group in respect of the enforcement options for facilities advanced to a well-known very large Company in NI which owns various shopping centres and other commercial premises in NI, England and Scotland.

TLT

TLT caters to local and national lenders, insolvency practitioners, directors and companies, with expertise in both contentious and non-contentious insolvency. Team lead Jason Byrne covers all aspects of both personal and corporate insolvencies, and is praised by clients for his ‘exceptional knowledge of the various insolvency procedures and legislation.’ Managing associate Christina Lishman joined from O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors in November 2022, and brings particular expertise in the construction sector.

Practice head(s):

Jason Byrne


Other key lawyers:

Christina Lishman; Brendan Logue


Testimonials

‘The team gives quality, timely, relevant practical advice over a range of insolvency issues.’

‘Jason Byrne has an exceptional knowledge of the various insolvency procedures and legislation. Jason’s ability to translate this into workable solutions is invaluable. Jason always returns your call!’

‘Now enjoys a great market share. Well resourced by a large firm. Well respected in the industry.’

‘Jason Byrne is one of the best insolvency lawyers in Northern Ireland. He is a market leader and leads the firm very well.’

Work highlights


  • Acted for a discharged bankrupt and his family in negotiating the purchase back of his family farm and lands from his Trustee in Bankruptcy which was valued in excess of £1M.
  • Acting for the Trustee in Bankruptcy of a well-known and considerably high-profile local businessman who was adjudicated bankrupt.
  • Acted for a leading bank in challenging the validity of two customers’ joint Individual Voluntary Arrangements under Article 236 of the Insolvency (NI) Order 1989.

Mills Selig

Mills Selig's restructuring and insolvency group specialises in acting for insolvency practitioners. The team additionally advises accountants, businesses, and private individuals in respect of all matters relating to insolvency. Team lead Richard Craig is regularly before the high court in insolvency proceedings, and is praised for his 'sound knowledge and judgment.' Former team lead John Kearns remains active, and contributes expertise in restructuring matters.

Practice head(s):

Richard Craig


Other key lawyers:

John Kearns; Kathryn McIvor


Testimonials

‘The team have massive experience, and an excellent balance of technical and practical advice.’

‘John Kearns has significant experience and knowledge of the area. Richard Craig has sound knowledge and judgment.’

Key clients

Teneo


FPM AAB


Gildernew & Co Accountants


Keenan CF


Grant Thornton


Hannaway CA


Cavanagh Kelly


Rachel Fowler Advisory


Arthur Boyd & Co


McKeague Morgan


HNH Group


Work highlights


MKB Law

MKB Law advises insolvency practitioners on the full range of corporate and personal insolvency issues. Department head David McAlinden has more than 20 years' experience in the practice area, and previously led a specialist insolvency practice, until its merging with the firm in 2016. Associate solicitor Ruairi Maguire is a key name for debt recovery, litigation and insolvency.

Practice head(s):

David McAlinden


Other key lawyers:

Gordon McElroy; Ruari Maguire


Testimonials

‘An efficient and very busy firm. Very commercial and business orientated. A real commercial firm.’

‘David McAlinden is a superb insolvency lawyer.’

‘Client 100% first.’

‘Undoubtedly commerciality comes first with MKB and that is the virtue and ethic they work on.’

‘David McAlinden is an absolute expert in his field, he is my go-to person for everything legal and insolvency related. He is creative and effective.’

‘The speed at which they move and the accuracy of the advice they provide.’

Key clients

Teneo


FPM AAB


Gildernew & Co Accountants


Keenan CF


Grant Thornton


Hannaway CA


Cavanagh Kelly


Rachel Fowler Advisory


Arthur Boyd & Co


McKeague Morgan


HNH Group


Work highlights


Tughans

Tughans' dedicated restructuring and insolvency practice advises clients on the full range of matters, with experience acting across the Republic of Ireland and England and Wales. The group is led by senior partner Toby McMurray, an experienced practitioner praised for his 'efficiency and transparency'. Core team members include director Ellen Forester and Julie Huddleston, who joined from DWF in February 2022.

Practice head(s):

Toby McMurray


Other key lawyers:

Julie Huddleston; Ellen Forester


Testimonials

‘This is the leading insolvency team in Belfast. It deals with almost all of the largest and most complex insolvencies that arise in Northern Ireland.’

‘Toby McMurray is the standout insolvency practitioner in Northern Ireland. He is approachable, but has an ability to quickly condense matters down to the core issues. Clients like this efficiency and transparency in dealing with matters in a no nonsense manner.’

‘The team are very approachable and good to work with on transactions. They provide good technical and commercial advice and always appreciate the urgency of queries so the response rate is spot on.’

‘Toby was very commercial in his advice and provided spot on and timely advice to get the matter resolved in the least cumbersome manner.’

‘Tughans are very quick to get to the fundamentals of complex legal issues. They have a very strong commercial approach and add value immediately from instruction.’

‘Toby McMurray – a market-leading partner who has a very strong commercial approach. Ellen Forrester – an excellent technical lawyer who is very responsive.’

‘An ever present firm. Well respected throughout the country.’

‘Ellen Forster is a class act. A top performer in the sector and has a great reputation.’

Key clients

Interpath


FD Technologies PLC


Bank of Ireland (UK) plc


Heineken


Diageo Northern Ireland Limited


Santander


Begbies Traynor


Keenan CF


FRP Advisory Group PLC


Danske Bank


Work highlights


  • Advising KPMG on all aspects of the administrations of 4 Lagan Construction Group companies.
  • Advising Bank of Ireland on the enforcement of an order against personal guarantees to a loan in respect of a large Shopping Centre and retail parks located in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
  • Appointed by Begbies Traynor to advise the joint administrators of Forge Farms and joint fixed charged receivers across 11 folios of land, across Northern Ireland.

Davidson McDonnell Solicitors

Davidson McDonnell Solicitors covers both corporate and personal insolvency, and offers recovery strategy support to lenders. Team lead Barbara Creed, who joined from A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP in 2021, is dual qualified in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. Associate Elise Quigley is a name to note. Senior solicitor Shane McVeigh joined from Carson McDowell in May 2023.

Practice head(s):

Barbara Creed


Other key lawyers:

Elise Quigley


Key clients

BDO NI Limited


KPMG


Keenan Corporate Finance Limited


ASM NI Limited


Lecale Corporate Finance & Restructuring Limited


Gildernew & Co Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising multiple insolvency practitioners on a number of high-value and complex claims involving transactions at an undervalue and preference payments.
  • Advising a trustee in bankruptcy in relation to the successful recovery of substantial payments made by the bankrupt to a creditor after the date of his bankruptcy petition.
  • Advising a trustee in bankruptcy in relation to enforcement of Orders for possession and sale.

DWF

DWF's Belfast team was strengthened in 2022 by a double hire from Carson McDowell including director Orla Hanna, who now heads up the finance and restructuring team. She works alongside commercial disputes specialist Mark Taggart  and banking and corporate partner James Morrison. The team works with adminstrators and trustees, and regularly handles litigation and recoveries, routinely operating as part of a wider UK offering.

Practice head(s):

Mark Taggart; Orla Hanna; James Morrison


Other key lawyers:

Chris Goodfellow


Testimonials

‘Good technical knowledge. Good resourcing.’

‘Mark Taggart brings breadth of experience and leadership to the team.’

‘Chris Goodfellow has sound practical judgment in managing matters.’

Key clients

Grant Thornton


AIB Group (UK) PLC


Pepper Finance


Interpath


HNH


Baker Tilly Mooney Moore


KPMG


BDO


Work highlights


  • Advised the administrators of Central Craigavon Limited from their appointment to their ultimate disposal of three shopping centres across the UK including Rushmere Shopping Centre.
  • Advised the Board of Directors and then the appointed Administrators in relation to the administration of Seven Technologies Holdings Limited.

Elliott Duffy Garrett

Elliott Duffy Garrett fields a multidisciplinary team with experience in bankruptcy, receivership, administration and liquidation. The department is jointly led by ‘meticulous’ practitioner Christopher Duffy, and Kevin McVeigh, whose speciality is non-contentious matters. Consultant Michael Wilson is a licensed insolvency practitioner.

Practice head(s):

Christopher Duffy; Kevin McVeigh


Other key lawyers:

Michael Wilson; Leo Brown


Testimonials

‘The firm has significant experience in insolvency and corporate recovery. They have represented trustees in many High Court actions and mediations. They are well known for their expertise in cross jurisdictional insolvency. Their encyclopaedic knowledge of insolvency law and practice combined with their sound pragmatic approach ensures the best outcomes for their clients.’

‘Christopher Duffy is a key person in this jurisdiction in contentious insolvency practice. He is meticulous in his preparation of the case, and maintains a practical, no nonsense approach throughout.’

‘Commercial experience with a range of clients across all NI industry sectors. Imaginative and creative responses to legal problems to find solutions. Excellent team work and collaboration.’

‘Michael Wilson has a wealth of industry experience.’

Key clients

Northern Bank Limited T/A Danske Bank


Keenan Corporate Finance (Insolvency Practitioners)


BDO Belfast


HNH Group


Ennis Property Finance DAC


Feniton Property Finance DAC


KPMG


McKeague Morgan (Insolvency Practitioners)


Premium Credit Limited


Work highlights