Restructuring Plans: What's Next For Smaller Enterprises?

The collapse of Woodville Consultants Ltd has exposed significant vulnerabilities in the rapidly expanding litigation funding market, which operates largely outside mainstream financial regulation. With nearly £300 million owed to retail investors and questionable lending practices to law firms, the case raises critical questions about investor protection, regulatory oversight, and the future balance of power in funded litigation.

Formal insolvencies continue to increase in England and Wales with numbers currently 10% higher than in 2022. In particular, quarterly numbers for Q1 and Q2 2023 are higher than they have been since Q2 2009.

Companies House register, targeting unregulated firms that create false UK business presences for overseas clients. The latest enforcement reflects wider reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act to improve transparency, strengthen anti-money laundering controls and protect the integrity of UK company registration.

On 14th July, the John Lewis Partnership announced that it would be cutting up to 1,000 jobs across its John Lewis and Waitrose stores in a bid to streamline management structures.

Directors of insolvent companies may face misfeasance claims when liquidators or administrators investigate potential misuse of company funds, breaches of fiduciary duties, or prioritizing personal interests over creditors. Understanding the legal framework under section 212 of the Insolvency Act 1986, common allegations, and available defenses is crucial for directors navigating these serious investigations that can result in personal liability and disqualification.

The English High Court has stayed proceedings challenging Hunkemöller's liability management exercise pending judgment in related New York litigation. This decision examines the limitations of multi-jurisdictional litigation strategies in cross-border restructurings and the enforceability of exclusive jurisdiction clauses for beneficial noteholders. The ruling provides critical guidance on the sequencing of claims across different jurisdictions when challenging complex liability management exercises.

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a formal debt solution that allows individuals to repay creditors through affordable monthly payments over five to six years, with remaining balances typically written off. This legal alternative to bankruptcy requires approval from creditors holding at least 75% of the debt value and is supervised by a licensed insolvency practitioner throughout its duration.

The High Court has determined that administrators can enter into litigation funding arrangements allowing funders to be repaid from litigation proceeds ahead of moratorium debts with "super priority" status, provided this aligns with the administration's purpose and the administrators' duties. This ruling addresses a critical question about the interplay between protected moratorium creditors and the practical realities of funding litigation in insolvency proceedings.

Several market commentary pieces this week, including an Insider UK survey of UK restructuring market professionals (15 January 2026), amongst others, suggest that during 2026 the UK economy will not collapse, but shift towards a more complex reality where timing, creditor behaviour, and asset focus are key. RSM UK’s Economic Outlook update (13 January 2026) questions whether it will be a year of muddling through. We suspect the answer is yes.

The High Court has clarified the interaction between mental health crisis moratoriums under the Debt Respite Scheme and secured lending enforcement. When property security covers a company's debt rather than an individual's personal liability, receivers can proceed with sales despite the moratorium. This decision provides crucial guidance for insolvency practitioners and lenders navigating the complex intersection of mental health protections and security enforcement.

The EU Data Act brings sweeping changes for SaaS providers, introducing new rights for customers to switch providers and mandating clear, written contractual terms around data portability and migration.

2025 has seen significant changes to Irish Immigration and this change will continue into 2026, including digitalisation of processes...

In a recently published case (4655/2566) which was decided in 2023, the Supreme Court of Thailand examined a renewal clause in a long term lease contract and its compatibility...

A New Vision for Water introduces reforms that organisations across the water supply chain, industry, agriculture, development and local government need to prepare for.

The Singapore High Court's decision in Arki-Tech International Private Ltd v Rentak Tabrau Sdn Bhd [2025] SGHC 233 is an exercise in the application of well-settled principles...

From 1 January 2025, the new Polish Classification of Business Activities (PKD 2025) replaces the previous PKD 2007, introducing updated and expanded business activity...

The FLAP-D markets (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin) remain Europe's leading data centre hubs, driven by the surging demand for cloud technologies and ongoing digital transformation.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 marks a new era for UK employment law, with far reaching implications for HR professionals and businesses.

The Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 (CPR) came into effect on 8 January 2026. The CPR will substantially replace the long-standing Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (2011 Regulation).

Germany, particularly the Frankfurt area, has established itself as one of Europe's leading data centre hubs, supported by its central location...