Restructuring & Insolvency
Our team advises insolvency practitioners, corporates, boards of directors, lenders, investors, business purchasers and individuals in respect of all issues that can arise as a result of financial pressure and distress. We are renowned for our expertise and experience.
Restructuring & insolvency
We are a national team of specialists in restructuring and insolvency law, renowned for our expertise and experience.
- A leading full-service insolvency law firm with 1,200+ colleagues
- Corporate insolvency law specialists across a wide range of sectors
- Proven success in refinancing, restructuring and insolvency matters
- Named Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards
- Highly ranked by Legal 500 for our expertise
Specialists in restructuring and insolvency law
The reasons behind financial distress are often far-reaching, and a true understanding of the many legal complexities surrounding refinancing, restructuring and insolvency is necessary.
Our pragmatic restructuring and insolvency law specialists have an in-depth knowledge of the challenges your business could face. This means that all potential issues can be considered and assessed before the right solution is put forward. We offer our clients tailored solutions and comprehensive legal support to find the best outcomes in times of financial distress.
Our restructuring and insolvency services
Our team of experienced restructuring and insolvency lawyers can provide expert legal support to:
- Insolvency practitioners
- Corporates
- Boards of directors
- Lenders
- Investors
- Business purchasers and individuals
Our lawyers are well-versed to assist affected parties with matters involving:
- Restructurings
- Refinancings
- Reorganisations
- Solvent and insolvent liquidations
- Pre-pack administrations
- Voluntary arrangements
- Receiverships
Our restructuring and insolvency experts work to achieve a solvent solution where possible and will collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve the optimum outcome.
Kevin Pinkerton
Head of Restructuring & Insolvency
Get in touch
Acting for insolvency officer holders
We are thoroughly experienced in all types of transactional avoidance claims, acting on behalf of office holders that arise from both corporate and individual insolvencies.
In addition, our specialists in restructuring and insolvency law draw upon a wealth of expertise in other areas such as real estate, employment, intellectual property, environmental and tax to assist our clients in both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Our sector expertise
Our corporate insolvency and restructuring law experts have a wealth of experience in a wide range of sectors, including:
- Media
- Technology
- Engineering
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Leisure and hospitality
- Retail
- Transport
In addition to advising private entities, we have assisted public sector bodies in large-scale and high-profile restructurings. Our team prides itself on thinking outside the box and coming up with creative solutions to meet our clients' needs.
All types of businesses can face financial distress. Our experts in refinancing, restructuring and insolvency law can help you identify and manage risk and offer tailored legal solutions to work towards the best outcome for your business. Don't hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
Our accreditations
We are celebrating another year of accreditations and rankings.
Why choose our restructuring and insolvency lawyers?
When facing financial distress, expert guidance is crucial. Our specialists in restructuring and insolvency law are trusted advisors with a strong reputation for navigating complex financial reorganisations, refinancing and insolvency proceedings. We understand the acute challenges involved, offering customised solutions focused on your objectives, from business rescue to value preservation.
Our client-focused approach means we act as your dedicated legal partners, delivering clear, strategic advice, no matter what challenges your business may be facing. We combine national experience with in-depth knowledge of insolvency law, and we're committed to efficiently managing your case and achieving the most viable outcome.
Here are some of the reasons why you can trust our experts in refinancing, restructuring and insolvency law to help you navigate complex financial matters:
Worldwide asset tracing and recovery
Our team can assist with worldwide asset tracing and recovery, having set the case law on several areas of international co-operation, including representing the first party to obtain interim relief via the United Nations Model Law on insolvency (UNCITRAL)
Dedicated creditor services division
We also have a dedicated creditor services division, which advises unsecured creditors in relation to their position when one of their customers enters an insolvency process
Dual qualified experts
Three of our team are dual qualified as insolvency practitioners as well as being lawyers, having successfully passed the Joint Insolvency Examination Board exams
Recognised for our exemplary services
We're proud to have received a number of awards and recognition in the industry, including high rankings from both The Legal 500 and Chambers UK Legal Guide, as well as being named Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2024
Notable work & other expertise
- Advising the board of a group of companies with an annual turnover in excess of £200 million on contingency planning and cash flow issues and subsequently advising the companies on the appointment of administrators
- Advised the board of directors of a large port operating company in relation to various restructuring options available following the insolvency of one of the company’s two shareholders. Freeths provided critical restructuring advice and assisted the directors in negotiations with the liquidator of the insolvent shareholder, the directors of the solvent shareholder (which was a large international conglomerate) as well as other significant stakeholders in the port. Freeths provided the directors with advice in relation to their existing contractual arrangements and strategic advice in negotiating with the various parties.
- Advising in relation to the complex restructuring of a large port operating company
- Advising an administrative body in local government in relation to a high profile and confidential restructuring. This has involved advising the client on strategy in negotiating with high profile customers, suppliers and other local authorities and preparing commercial agreements to be entered into between the various stakeholders in relation to the restructuring.
- Advised on the restructuring of a hotel operating group of companies. Advice included the review of banking and finance arrangements, advice on restructuring strategies and options, negotiations with lenders and creditors, and leading the restructuring discussions.
- Acting on a large restructuring in the sports sector and dealing with the key customers, suppliers and local authorities
- Acting for the Joint Administrators of a large wholesaler to the food service industry dealing with their appointment and a sale of the business and assets
- Acting for the Trustee in Bankruptcy in the successful decision in Jackson v Ayles and another [2021] EWHC 995 (Ch) where, following a contested trial, we obtained a declaration and consequential order that the main security against the property was unenforceable pursuant to section 26 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 allowing the Trustee to sell the property free from that security to the benefit of the bankruptcy estate
- Acting for the Joint Administrators of a solicitor’s practice which involved a hostile qualifying floating charge holder appointment, a subsequent sale of the business and assets, an investigation into the director’s conduct, a proprietary injunction, misfeasance proceedings, judgment, an appeal and enforcement
- Acting for the Joint Trustees in Bankruptcy of a well known soap actor, dealing with the realisation of assets which enabled a substantial dividend being made to creditors
- Acting for the Administrator of a national service provider in the education sector with 890 staff, dealing with the administrator’s appointment and the legal issues arising in the administration
- Acting for the Administrator of a travel company dealing with the administrator’s appointment and the legal issues arising in the administration
- Acting for the Administrators of a large manufacturer in the aerospace industry dealing with their appointment, the sale of assets and ancillary matters including employment and property matters
- Stanley and Barber v Wilson [2017] BPIR 227 – this is the first ever successful claim by a Trustee in Bankruptcy to recoup excessive pension contributions under Section 342a of the Insolvency Act 1986
- Sports Management Group Ltd – In Liquidation [2016] BPIR 1224 – this case required the Liquidator to establish that an individual was a de facto director having not been registered as a director at Companies House and also the issues of preference and transaction at undervalue. The claim was ultimately successful.
- GP Aviation Group International Limited [2017] BPIR 95 – a complicated issue relating to the interaction between tax appeals, liquidation and misfeasance claims which was resolved in our client liquidator’s favour.
Testimonials
"Kevin Pinkerton has been providing insolvency legal services for Robson Scott since its inception. His work has always been top-notch, whilst he h...
Client testimonial, Managing Director, Robson Scott Group Limited
"Freeths demonstrate excellent customer service and deliver what they say they will, on time. Their team has a good spread of expertise and seniori...
Chambers & Partners, 2025
"It's an excellent team all round and they are always on hand to answer queries."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
"They're a fantastic national practice that we've seen grow over the years."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
"Freeths have extensive knowledge of insolvency legislation."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
"They are personable and very easy to work with. Restructuring and insolvency knowledge and expertise is second to none without the jargon and they...
The Legal 500, 2024
“The team are experienced, knowledgeable, commercial and pragmatic.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
"A growing team that has managed to retain all of its talent in a competitive market over the last decade. Every individual is a specialist in inso...
The Legal 500, 2024
"First-class legal advice, a firm which understands its clients and fosters an exceptional working relationship."
The Legal 500, 2024
“They demonstrate a wide variety of specialisms, which means that insolvency practitioners can ask the many questions on the cases they have and kn...
Chambers & Partners, 2024
PM
"The Late-Night sector has had some particularly difficult trading conditions over the last year, which meant unfortunately we had to take on board...
Peter Marks, Chairman
REKOM
Restructuring and insolvency law FAQs
Our expert in insolvency law, Kevin Pinkerton, Head of Restructuring and Insolvency, explains why you might consider hiring a specialist lawyer to help support your business through matters involving refinancing, restructuring and insolvency:
"Engaging a restructuring and insolvency lawyer is essential for business owners confronting financial distress. Our role extends beyond legal advice. We provide strategic counsel to manage creditor negotiations, ensure regulatory compliance and identify the most effective restructuring solutions. Early legal intervention can significantly mitigate risk, preserve value and safeguard the long-term viability of the business during periods of uncertainty."
In the UK, there are several main formal corporate insolvency procedures:
- Administration
- Liquidation
- Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)
- Administrative Receivership
- Strike off
- Bankruptcy
When a company faces financial difficulties, administration and liquidation are two formal insolvency law procedures that can be initiated. While both involve an insolvent company and the appointment of a licensed insolvency practitioner, their objectives and outcomes are distinct.
Administration: A process to try to save or restructure a struggling company so it can keep operating or be sold as a going concern.
Liquidation: A process to close the company by selling all its assets and paying off creditors, after which the company is dissolved.
Pre-pack administrations are an insolvency procedure where a company arranges the sale of its business or assets before formally entering administration. Once the company goes into administration, the pre-agreed sale happens almost immediately. This process aims to maximise the value of the business, protect jobs and ensure continuity, often avoiding a lengthy and damaging insolvency process.
Contact our specialists in insolvency law today
If you require legal support when facing matters dealing with refinancing, restructuring and insolvency law, our experts are here to help. With our wealth of expertise, we'll help you find solutions to get the most viable outcome for your business.
To get started, call our team on 0330 100 1014 and we'll put you in touch with one of our corporate insolvency law specialists.
Meet our team
Kevin Pinkerton
Head of Restructuring & Insolvency
Jacqui Murphy
Managing Associate & Knowledge Management Lawyer
Manisha Rajshakha
Senior Associate
Contact us today
Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.
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