Company insolvencies rapidly increasing

A surge in company liquidations in England and Wales since the Covid-19 pandemic

Government figures reveal a 40% increase in the number of registered companies that entered insolvency procedures during the past year. Newly-released data shows the number of companies entering statutory insolvency procedures has risen 15% compared to pre-pandemic levels in June 2019. Furthermore, the number of companies that were placed into a creditors’ voluntary liquidation (CVL)…

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Director disqualification and misconduct

Tips for directors accused of misconduct

Careless, deceitful, and delinquent company directors can expect to face disqualification proceedings if their actions cause creditors to suffer financial loss. Disgruntled shareholders and creditors (the people and businesses you owe) may take action against a director suspected of misfeasance or another serious transgression. However, a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP) usually instigates Director Disqualification Proceedings.…

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Directors guilty of BBL abuse face disqualification

Directors face disqualification for Bounce Back Loan (BBL) abuse

A few months back, we protested the Insolvency Service’s decision to chase the owners of failed businesses for failing to repay Bounce Back Loans. However, the findings of a report by the House of Commons public accounts committee suggest the agency’s strategy may be appropriate after all. To help struggling small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) during the…

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CVL boost in England leads to 5-year insolvency high

Between April and June 2019, the number of companies entering insolvency procedures reached a 5-year high, boosted by company voluntary liquidations (CVLs). According to the Insolvency Service, 4,321 companies fell into insolvency during the 2nd quarter of 2019. In England and Wales, this was driven by CVLs, which increased 6.7% compared with the first 3…

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New reforms are great, but who protects unsecured creditors?

In a controversial speech to the  Insolvency Practitioner’s Association  earlier this year, Court of Appeal judge Lord Justice Jackson (best-known for his 2010 report into civil litigation costs) made several recommendations, which Justice Secretary Michael Gove has already begun to implement. As a result, from 1 April 2016, unsuccessful defendants will no longer be held…

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Did Sir Philip Green asset-strip BHS and cause its collapse?

Sir Philip Green BHS

Giving evidence to a government inquiry recently, Sir Philip Green claimed to have worked diligently to avoid one of his best-known retail brands going into liquidation. Nevertheless, the Insolvency Service must establish if Sir Philip had asset-stripped BHS and caused its collapse. Last month, fashion tycoon Sir Philip appeared before the  Business, Innovation and Skills…

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