The ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ team at Blake Morgan LLP has a strong reputation in the market across a wide array of formal insolvency and restructuring work for debtors and creditors. Although it does handle work for banks as creditors in restructuring scenarios, the firm is perhaps best-known for its work on behalf of insolvency practitioners (IPs), including in the context of complex contentious mandates including allegations of misfeasance and tracing claims. Himself a qualified IP, team head Paul Caldicott has a versatile practice that has recently included a significant amount of directors duty advisory work occassioned as a result of the pandemic lockdowns. ‘Personable and responsive’ associate Sophia Farmer is also recommended, particularly on behalf of trustees in bankruptcy on personal insolvency matters.
Insolvency and corporate recovery in Wales
Blake Morgan LLP
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Testimonials
‘Approachable and knowledgeable, and willing to discuss and give views on all matters.’
‘Sophia Farmer is personable, responsive and gives detailed advice.’
Key clients
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Baker Tilly Creditor Services LLP
Bridgewood Financial Solutions
Colchester Borough Council
RAM RE Property Advisors
Coventry City Council
McAlister & Co Insolvency Practitioners
Carter Clark
Mazars LLP
Begbies Traynor Central LLP
Work highlights
- Assisting the joint trustees obtain a suspension from discharge order against an uncooperative bankrupt and realise assets valued in excess of £1m.
Capital Law Limited
Drawing upon the firm’s broader commercial litigation skills and the ability to provide clients, including a number of IPs, with the potential opportunity to fund cases utilising the firm’s litigation fund, Capital Law Limited ‘s sweet-spot lies in the context of contentious insolvency work. The ‘vastly experienced‘ Philip Jones takes the lead on much of this work and in the case of corporate insolvency mandates, he brings particular expertise to bear in relation to advise on directors’ duties. On the non-contentious front, Maria Coggins regularly handles corporate restructuring work as part of her broader commercial practice.
Practice head(s):
Philip Jones (Contentious); Maria Coggins (Non-Contentious)
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Testimonials
‘Wide spread of genuine expertise in the area.’
‘The combination of both insolvency and litigation capabilities is a particular strength.’
‘Philip Jones brings bags of experience to all insolvency disputes and (in the case of corporate insolvency) in-depth knowledge of company law. He will consider all angles before committing to the way forward.’
‘Philip Jones is vastly experienced. It is always a pleasure to speak to and to work with Phil.’
Key clients
Menzies LLP
Teneo Restructuring Limited
Development Bank of Wales
Quantuma Advisory Limited
Holland Shellfish International Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the liquidators of Walsham Chalet Park Limited, in a high-profile £25m claim to recover substantial assets, after the former directors had ripped off thousands of unsecured creditors (mainly pensioners) who had been hoodwinked into investing in holiday homes.
- Provided pre-appointment advice in relation to a commercial development which had defaulted on its funding. Dealt with the appointment and disposal of substantial assets.
- Advising Cardiff Manufacturing Group following threats of historic claims arising out of transactions, to ensure minimum disruption to the business, and eradicating the risk of future claims.
Hugh James
Headed by commercial litigation partner Alex Pay, Hugh James‘ insolvency team has strong connections with IPs, in particular, which are appreciative of the firm’s ability to advise on contentious matters (including advice on wrongful trading claims and preference actions), as well as its ability to deploy a multi-disciplinary approach involving other areas of expertise within the firm’s full service offering. In addition to the firm’s expertise in formal insolvency matters, the team is also adept at handling corporate restructuring and transactional-related distressed mandates.
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Testimonials
‘The lawyers in the team are determined and provide excellent advice.’
‘Alex Pay has strong commercial know-how.’
Key clients
Menzies LLP
Mazars LLP
Begbies Traynor LLP
BDO LLP
Kennway Francis Ltd
Quantuma Advisory Ltd
Bishop Fleming LLP
TRI Advisory Ltd
Welsh Government
Work highlights
- Seeking directions from the court in relation to a liquidator’s entitlement to company assets, as an alternative to seeking an order for examination of the director with a view to preserving company assets and maximising the prospect of a distribution to unsecured creditors
JCP Solicitors
Led by Sophie Thomas from within the firm’s broader commercial litigation practice group, JCP Solicitors is particularly effective at handling contentious insolvency mandates, much of the work stemming from Thomas’ niche expertise acting for fixed charge receivers on their recoveries work. David Owen is also a key member of the team and continues to grow his reputation among office holders, where he is noted for his advice on reviewable transactions such as preference, misfeasance and undervalue claims.
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