Personal insolvency & bankruptcy

We are one of very few firms that have genuine expertise and depth of knowledge of this particular area of insolvency law and are able to advise across all three UK jurisdictions. There are many aspects of dealing with a personal insolvency assignment that differ from corporate assignments and therefore ensuring that trustees and supervisors have advisers on board who are genuine experts in this area is key to ensuring a results driven outcome.

We also have a wide range of experience in acting for debtors and individuals facing financial difficulties and are therefore able to look at issues from both sides of the coin.

We are regularly instructed by government agencies and departments in relation to personal insolvency work and debt management issues.

As a full-service insolvency team, we apply the perspective of the broad insolvency and restructuring landscape to our personal insolvency advice and services. This means we are able to handle complex legal questions and anticipate issues, avoid complications and find effective solutions for the issues which arise (including looking at bespoke funding solutions). We are well versed in dealing with cross border assignments, and are able to call on a global network of lawyers with whom we have strong relationships which enables us to work quickly and seamlessly; crucial in personal insolvency cases where identifying, locating and preserving asset will often be a first step towards effective recoveries.

• Acting for a consortium of 13 Indian banks led by State Bank of India on the enforcement of an Indian Judgment in the sum of £1.15billion against Dr Vijay Mallya which resulted in a bankruptcy order being granted in July 2021.
• Acting as the exclusive appointee to the UK Government Agency's bankruptcy property conveyancing panel since 1994. As a result of this panel membership, our off-panel work and our wider personal insolvency practice, we anticipate that we have been involved in more personal insolvency cases than any other firm in the country.
• Acting for the trustee in bankruptcy of a former investment banker who was involved in unlawful investment activity. We have successfully recovered assets including a large property portfolio in London and investment in property and assets globally, including France, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Madagascar and the Seychelles.
• Acting on the IVA and subsequent bankruptcy petition of a current serving UK Member of Parliament. We were closely involved with coordinating strategy with the client’s communications and reputation management team, given the profile of the debtor and the potential implications.
• Acting for a well-known accountancy firm in relation to gratuitous alienations and appeals on creditor claims in Scotland. The case relates to the sequestration of a private individual. There is an on-going complex dispute in relation to the sale of a £1.4 million estate and creditor claims of c£8 million.
• Acting for a Trustee in Bankruptcy (Northern Ireland) in successfully applying to the Crown for an ex gratia payment of surplus funds following the disposal of a previously disclaimed asset to be paid over to the Bankrupt’s estate for the benefit of creditors.