Blake Lapthorn's Restructuring and Insolvency group advises
insolvency practitioners, funders, debtors and other business
stakeholders in relation to the provision, management and recovery
of debt finance, the recovery of assets and related issues.
Our team is recognised as one of the pre-eminent regional
insolvency and business recovery teams, with a growing reputation
in London and nationally. We deliver advice from the firm's offices
in Southampton, London and Oxford and are supported by other teams'
expertise; in particular we work closely with the Asset Based
Lending, Banking and Commercial
Recoveries teams. We increasingly undertake international/cross border insolvency work.
insolvency issues facing distressed businesses
We have extensive expertise of dealing with all aspects of
insolvency law and practice, with a particular focus on the issues
that face distressed businesses. As a result, we work with the full
range of business stakeholders to secure the best possible outcome
through the use of formal and informal procedures. In advising
distressed businesses we are able to obtain specialist input
from colleagues so that we can provide the highest quality advice
in relation to real estate, employment, pensions, intellectual
property and other business issues.
third parties affected by business insolvency
We frequently advise third parties who are affected by business
insolvency; for example customers, suppliers, landlords and,
franchisors of insolvent businesses. In particular, our experience
of acting for insolvency practitioners on the disposal of assets
means that we can add real value guiding buyers through the
negotiation and documentation of such arrangements.
insolvency professionals
We act for the full range of insolvency professionals and
advisers, but in particular insolvency practitioners in relation to
transactions and asset recovery.
We have a well-deserved reputation for bringing and defending
claims that arise as a result of insolvency and business
restructuring. We also have successfully defended directors faced
with "wrongful trading" and other claims, as well as advising in
relation to directors' disqualification issues.
We have a national reputation for our work in relation to
proceeds of crime and criminal confiscation
matters.
personal debt issues
In appropriate cases, the team is able to advise individuals
with personal debt issues who may be facing the threat of
bankruptcy. This will generally involve a consideration of the
extent to which it is possible to protect the individual's home.
There may also be the possibility of an application to court to
have a bankruptcy annulled so that for most purposes it is treated
as never having been made.
our charges
In undertaking assignments, we are prepared to discuss
innovative and flexible fee structures reflecting the difficulties
that will often face those who require urgent insolvency
advice.
