Restructuring & Insolvency

We advise insolvency practitioners, directors and funders both locally and nationally on all aspects of corporate rescue, restructuring and insolvency.

Overview

We have a long established reputation in the Thames Valley for providing expert advice on restructuring, corporate refinancing and insolvency.

We give practical advice bearing in mind the financial constraints a business may be under and the objectives of the client.

We are regularly instructed by insolvency practitioners, funders, charge holders, company directors, debtors, individuals, partnerships and companies on a broad range of insolvency and restructuring issues.

The group, led by Ian Wood-Smith, consists of lawyers specialising not only in corporate recovery, restructuring and insolvency, but commercial property, employment and dispute resolution, to ensure that we provide advice which caters for all of our client’s needs.

Featured experience

Recent experience of the Restructuring & Insolvency team has been typically varied and has included advising directors on the enforceability of security valued at £16 million, resisting winding up proceedings threatened by HMRC, advising on the sale from administration of the business and assets of a golf club manufacturer and distributor and advising on, and instructing counsel on, a successful section 216 IA 1986 application.

We advised the administrators on a multimillion pound pre-pack sale of a global slipper manufacturer including drafting the necessary documentation required to transfer the assets and intellectual property of the Company.

In the world of intellectual property (“IP”) we have dealt with a dispute with Nike over alleged IP infringement and, in less contentious settings, have dealt with the recording and sale of IP by administrators. Keeping up with developments, we have been advising insolvency practitioners on the impact of GDPR on them when appointed as administrators.

Current pressures on businesses

Rising energy prices, inflation and interest rates are placing a strain on businesses resulting in a large increase in corporate insolvencies. With further increases predicted in the coming months many businesses will suffer severe cashflow issues and it is now more important than ever that businesses seek advice from specialist professional advisers at an early stage.

With our links not only with insolvency practitioners but also with banks (understanding the funding available to assist with cashflow issues) we are well placed to assist clients in their efforts to analyse what action is needed to change and adapt to the current circumstances to navigate a path to survive the stress and in some case real distress that they face in this extraordinary time.

 

"They provide excellent, commercial advice at extremely competitive rates."