The ‘technically excellent and commercially astute’ restructuring and insolvency practice at A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP is well-equipped to conduct high value contentious and non-contentious administrations. Sam Corbett, ‘a phenomenal and trusted advisor’ leads the team. Notably, Corbett has been advising on the complex administration of the advertising giant AV Browne Advertising. Michael Neill is another key player in the firm; he has been advising Belfast City Airport on its rights to detain aeroplanes leased by Flybe following Flybe’s administration. The ‘extremely personable’ senior associate Ross Kane specialises in security enforcements and restructuring transactions, while associate Christopher Colter excels in advanced litigations.

The Arthur Cox Belfast restructuring and insolvency practice acts as a key contact of various Big Four accountancy firms and insolvency practitioners. Stuart Mansfield heads the team, and has been advising Barclays Bank in relation to the Northern Irish aspects of Cineworld Group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the US. Colm McElroy, a key contact for the firm’s Big Four accountancy clients, provides a broad range of services, including enforcement work, administration appointments, receivership appointments, and restructurings.

The ‘modern, progressive, and energetic’ Carson McDowell insolvency and restructuring team has a strong presence in the Northern Ireland Market. Notably, the practice successfully defended three directors of WrightBus in disqualification proceedings against the Department of the Economy, which arose from the administration of Wrightbus. Darren Toombs leads the team. A ‘commercial and client focused’ individual, Toombs excels in providing litigation assistance to insolvency practitioners. Sinead McGrath, head of the banking and finance department, lends support on insolvent restructuring and refinancing matters to financial institutions.

The insolvency and business restructuring team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin possesses expertise in supporting clients through cross-border insolvency matters, including the acknowledgment of insolvency appointments, recognition of foreign judgments, and representation in asset sales for both Irish and British insolvency practitioners. The ‘very professional, efficient and highly skilled’ Jeanette Donohoe leads the team. Donohoe regularly receives referrals from international law firms which require Northern Ireland insolvency expertise. Stephen Cross, a banking and finance specialist, provides support on matters relating to financial transactions. Associate director Maria McNally assists in a wide range of insolvency matters.

DWF's Belfast office benefits from being part of the firm’s wider network of UK offices. The finance and restructuring team is jointly led by Mark Taggart, Orla Hanna, and James Morrison. Taggart is an expert in commercial disputes, while Morrison supports the practice with his banking and corporate expertise. Hanna was promoted to partner in January 2024. At the associate level, Chris Goodfellow is experienced in advising clients on debt recovery options.

Mills Selig's restructuring and insolvency group represents insolvency practitioners, accountants, businesses, and private individuals in a variety of matters. Team lead Richard Craig, who is ‘well-balanced and incredibly easy to work with’, frequently appears before the High Court in insolvency proceedings. Associate Kathryn Mclvor has a wide range of litigation experience, particularly regarding debt recovery actions.

TLT 's Belfast office, which works in tandem with the firm's wider UK network, advises a wide range of national lenders and insolvency practitioners. Fergal Maguire and senior associate Brendan Logue jointly lead the restructuring and insolvency team. Maguire specialises in dispute resolution, including insolvency disputes, while Logue is experienced in personal and corporate insolvency.

Tughans’ specialised insolvency, business recovery, and restructuring practice offers comprehensive advisory services to clients, covering a wide spectrum of matters. The team is led by senior partner Toby McMurray, a highly regarded practitioner who is experienced in acting in the High Court and Court of Appeal in complex insolvency litigations. Key members of the core team include director Ellen Forester and Caroline McAlister.

The Davidson McDonnell Solicitors insolvency and corporate recovery team provides expertise in both corporate and personal insolvency matters, along with offering support for recovery strategies to lenders. Practice head Lindsey Harten is experienced with both domestic bankruptcy proceedings and in US Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. At the associate level, Elise Quigley and Shane McVeigh are both individuals to note.

The key names at Elliott Duffy Garrett are Kevin McVeigh, who heads up the corporate and banking practice; securitisation, capital markets and social housing finance specialist Cathy Murphy; and associate John McElrone. The practice is praised for its 'professionalism, sector knowledge and legal skills'.