Insolvency and corporate recovery in Northern Ireland

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP

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 Coulter excels in advanced litigations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sam Corbett


Autres avocats clés:

Michael Neill; Ross Kane; Dean Barr; Christopher Coulter


Les références

‘Technically excellent and commercially astute.’

‘Sam Corbett possesses excellent commercial awareness and technical ability. Chris Coulter serves as a great understudy to Sam Corbett.’

‘The professional team exhibits extensive knowledge of the Northern Ireland market. They provide competitive quotes promptly. Any cost overruns are discussed and negotiated. The team also offers comprehensive training and updates.’

Principaux clients

Belfast City Airport


FRP Financial Advisory


KPMG


Deloitte


Cavanagh Kelly


Keenan Corporate Finance


ASM Chartered Accountants


Lecale Corporate Finance


Grant Thornton


Turpin Barker Armstrong


EY


Interpath Advisory


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for FRP Advisory as Administrators of the Chain Reaction Cycles / Wiggle Group.
  • Acting for KPMG as Administrators of A.V. Browne Advertising Ltd.
  • Advising Belfast City Airport in relation to the Administration of Flybe.

Arthur Cox Belfast

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stuart Mansfield


Autres avocats clés:

Colm McElroy


Les références

‘The team have extensive corporate insolvency expertise, gained over many years of working in this area. They have a unique and distinctive approach to solving client problems.’

‘Colm McElroy and his team are committed to going above and beyond to help provide solutions to complex legal and commercial issues. They are trusted advisors in their field and prioritise providing a personalised service.’

‘Strong detailed exceptional service and delivery’

Principaux clients

EY


Grant Thornton


KPMG


Bank of Ireland


Keenan Corporate Finance


Moorfields


PwC


Barclays Bank Plc


Kildare Management Limited


Bank of Ireland


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Keenan Corporate Finance in their role as administrators of William Coates Limited.
  • Advised Moorfields as administrators of Abbeytown Associates Limited.
  • Advised the administrator of Dixons Contractors Limited.

Carson McDowell

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Darren Toombs


Autres avocats clés:

Sinead McGarth


Les références

‘Industry leading professionals with genuine expertise.’

‘Darren Toombs is very commercial and client focused. Impeccable legal and commercial judgement.’

‘Darren Toombs provides excellent service and advice.’

Principaux clients

Senior Managers in Wrightbus


Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC


Begbies Traynor Leeds


Begbies Traynor


Keenan Corporate Finance


Dorothy Brown (IP) Even Keel Financial Services


 


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for various directors and alleged de facto directors of Wrightbus in defending director disqualification actions.
  • Acting for a major PLC Finance Institution to end the potentially widespread fraudulent activities of a farmer engaged in widespread Agric Asset Finance abuse.
  • Acting for Begbies Traynor in a major windfarm insolvency dispute which made national legal media headlines on the issue of another IPs costs charged.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin

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 skilledJeanette 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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jeanette Donohoe


Autres avocats clés:

Stephen Cross; Maria McNally


Les références

‘Jeanette Donohoe is very professional, efficient and highly skilled in the area of insolvency practice.’

‘That the team is very knowledgeable and open to questions and provides excellent advice.’

‘Maria McNally has provided great service and advice to me, especially in a difficult situation. She has maintained a good level of communication, which has been appreciated.’

Principaux clients

Apex Group Fiduciary Services Limited


Baker Tilly Mooney Moore


McCambridge Duffy


KPMG


Danske Bank


HSBC Bank Plc


BDO Northern Ireland


Invest NI


Ipsum Capital (GB) Limited


Department for Economy for Northern Ireland


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising the Department for the Economy on the scheme of arrangement made in respect of the Presbyterian Mutual Society pursuant to the Presbyterian Mutual Society (Financial Assistance to Members) Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
  • Instructed by Intermediate Capital Group in respect of the enforcement of facilities advanced to a well-known, very large Company in NI which owns various shopping centres and other commercial premises in NI, England and Scotland.
  • Acted on behalf of the Supervisor of Silverpail Dairy (Ireland) Unlimited Company and Havana Company Unlimited Company CVA to secure recognition of Scheme of Arrangement in NI in accordance with The Insolvency Act 1986.

DWF

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mark Taggart; Orla Hanna; James Morrison


Autres avocats clés:

Chris Goodfellow


Principaux dossiers


Mills Selig

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Richard Craig


Autres avocats clés:

Kathryn McIvor


Les références

‘ Diligence; preparation; commercially minded; legally astute; motivated to secure results for clients.’

‘Part of the firm’s corporate culture seems to be available, to solve tasks in a timely and correct manner while being solution-oriented. ’

‘Richard Craig is an impressive professional. He is well-balanced and incredibly easy to work with, very focused on the key issues, and handles complex matters well.’

Principaux clients

Teneo


PKF-FPM Accountants


Gildernew & Co Accountants


Keenan CF


Grant Thornton


Baker Tilly Mooney Moore


Cavanagh Kelly


Rachel Fowler Advisory


ASM


McKeague Morgan


KPMG


Principaux dossiers


TLT

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Fergal Maguire; Brendan Logue


Les références

‘Diligence; preparation; commercially minded; legally astute; motivated to secure results for clients.’

‘Very strong insolvency team who offer a wide arrange of advice and practical solutions.’

‘Comprehensive advice. Brendan Logue always goes the extra mile and provide solid, timely advice.’

Principaux clients

Arthur Boyd & Company


Baker Tilly Mooney Moore


Begbies Traynor Plc


BDO (NI) LLP


McAleer Jackson


JT Maxwell


Keenan Corporate Finance


Rachel Fowler Advisory


Interpath Ltd


Arthur Boyd & Company


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for administrators of a well-known furniture business who sought payment for or recovery of some £750,000 worth of stock from one particular debtor.

Tughans

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Toby McMurray


Autres avocats clés:

Ellen Forester; Caroline McAlister


Les références

‘This is a very experienced team with a broad range of applicable skills and the highest standard of client support. ’

‘Toby McMurray is very well known as one of the leading solicitors in this area; he is very knowledgeable and hugely experienced.’

‘Caroline McAllister is an excellent lawyer and provides a superb level of support and guidance to clients. ’

Principaux clients

Interpath


ISL Waste Management


Keenan Corporate Finance


Diageo Northern Ireland Limited


Van Werven Plastic Recycling Holding BV


BDO


KPMG


Principaux dossiers


  • Retained by Interpath to advise them in all aspects of the administrations of four Lagan Construction Group companies.

Davidson McDonnell

The Davidson McDonnell 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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Lindsey Harten


Autres avocats clés:

Elise Quigley; Shane McVeigh


Les références

‘Well composed team of highly experienced and diligent practitioners’

‘A medium-sized practice but with a very impressive calibre of staff with expert knowledge and standing in their field.’

‘Timely advice and added value, will go the extra mile to assist and excellent value for money compared with competitors in their field.’

Principaux clients

BDO NI Limited


Kennan Corporate Finance Limited


ASM (NI) Limited


Lecale Corporate Finance & Restructuring Limited


Gildernew & Co Limited


Directors of MacSpec Engineering Limited


Directors of McCormack Site Services (Ireland) Limited and McCormack Demolition Limited


FRP Advisory Trading Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised multiple trustees in bankruptcy on a number of high-value and complex claims involving transactions at an undervalue and preference payments and recovery of estate assets, occasionally on a cross-jurisdiction basis.
  • Advising company liquidators, both pre- and post-appointment, on their duties and obligations arising out of those functions, as well as advice and representation on actions to be taken or to be defended against former directors and third parties arising out of the company’s affairs.
  • Advising a board of directors on their duties to creditors pre-appointment of administrators and advising on the administration process generally.

Elliott Duffy Garrett

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'.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kevin McVeigh


Autres avocats clés:

Cathy Murphy; John McElrone


Les références

‘Professionalism; diversity; preparedness; client focus; results driven; experienced; technically proficient; ability to respond urgently to complex matters.’

‘Diligence; preparation; commercially minded; legally astute; motivated to secure results for clients.

Principaux clients

Northern Bank Limited T/A Danske Bank


Keenan Corporate Finance (Insolvency Practitioners)


BDO Belfast


HNH Group


Ennis Property Finance DAC


Feniton Property Finance DAC


KPMG


McKeague Morgan (Insolvency Practitioners)


Premium Credit Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Lloyds Bank plc on the NI aspects of a public securitisation of a mortgage loan book.
  • Advised Deutsche Bank AG on the NI elements of a capital market transaction.
  • Advised Keenan Corporate Finance & Northern Bank Limited t/a Danske Bank in connection with contentious commercial litigation with David Prentice (Cars) Limited and which was resolved via mediation.