A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP‘s restructuring and insolvency practice provides top-rate advice to clients facing administration. The ‘commercially savvy’ team is led by Sam Corbett, who is sought after for complex insolvency mandates. Michael Neill is deeply experienced and is well-equipped to advise on major cross-border insolvencies. Praised for his ‘technical expertise and industry knowledge’, Christopher Coulter distinguishes himself for his strengths across contentious and non-contentious mandates. Another key practitioner is Ross Kane, who is an expert in security enforcement and restructuring transactions.
Insolvency and corporate recovery in Northern Ireland
A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Sam Corbett
Autres avocats clés:
Michael Neill; Christopher Coulter; Ross Kane
Les références
‘Chris Coulter is a trusted legal advisor on any appointment/matter, having worked with Chris for many years on various insolvency matters, we know that Chris’ advice is always commercial and backed by significant technical expertise and industry knowledge.’
‘Sam Corbett is a trusted advisor. He has a deep knowledge of the law and provides quality pragmatic advice.’
‘They are very quick to fully understand complex matters, providing sound recommendations and commercial solutions to problems. Excellent response times. We give our most complex cases to A&L Goodbody.’
Principaux clients
Cineworld
Dalriada Trustees Limited
FRP Financial Advisory
Evelyn Partners LLP
KPMG
Keenan Corporate Finance
Deloitte
Omnia Technologies UK Ltd
Grant Thornton
Pepper Financial Advantage
Principaux dossiers
- Instructed on all Northern Irish aspects of the administration of the Body Shop on behalf of the Administrators, FRP.
- Continued to act for the Administrators of the Wiggle / Chain Reaction group – a large global online cycling and tri-sports retailer.
- Provided specialist advice to PWC and the secured lenders of Textile Recycling International Limited (now in Administration) in respect of their enforcement options against the textile recycling company that had global operations and assets valued in excess of £60million.
Arthur Cox Belfast
Arthur Cox Belfast‘s restructuring and insolvency practice is a go-to for major insolvency practitioners and several Big Four firms practising domestically. Stuart Mansfield leads the team, and the firm’s bench includes Colm McElroy, who instructs lenders on security enforcement and debt settlement mandates. David Black stands out for his deep expertise in contentious matters before the insolvency court. Another individual of note is Lucy McKee, who supports McElroy on the full breadth of services, including administration appointments, receivership appointments, and restructurings.
Responsables de la pratique:
Stuart Mansfield
Autres avocats clés:
Colm McElroy; David Black; Lucy McKee
Les références
‘Strong full-service team.’
‘Colm McElroy and Stuart Mansfield are both well respected in the industry and I trust them to provide commercial advice.’
‘They provide market-leading advice; their advice is always commercial and solution-driven. Excellent response times. They are a trusted advisor in the most complex legal matters.’
Principaux clients
EY
Hinchtech Limited
Westwood EMS Limited
Moorfields Corporate Recovery
PwC
Keenan Corporate Finance
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Westwood EMS Limited and Hinchtech Limited in respect of their pre-pack acquisitions of Simtek EMS Limited and Nitronica Limited.
- Advised EY on a complex CVA relating to a construction company.
- Advised Moorfields Corporate Recovery in respect of a complex administration subject to multi-jurisdictional legal proceedings.
Carson McDowell
The ‘pragmatic, commercial and impressive’ insolvency and restructuring practice at Carson McDowell continues to act for major banks and insolvency practitioners. Practice head Gary Adair joined from Wilson Nesbitt in December 2024 and heads up the team alongside Darren Toombs. Adair has a track record in advising on the enforcement of mortgages and guarantees and secured recovery actions. Co-head Toombs is an ‘expert in complex contentious insolvency’, and routinely supports insolvency practitioners in litigation matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Darren Toombs; Gary Adair
Les références
‘Carson McDowell operates a partner-led service, and the partners are some of the most well-recognised and respected names in the industry. The firm is innovative and looks to make use of technology to deliver maximum efficiency in the process and ensure clients are kept fully updated on matters’ progress.’
‘Partners Gary Adair and Darren Toombs are two of the most respected and well-known names in the industry. In addition to their exceptional legal knowledge, they are also approachable and commercially minded and make a point of explaining complex legal matters in a language that clients can easily understand.’
‘Commercial, pragmatic and committed.’
Principaux clients
Begbies Traynor & Thorntons Scotland
Crowe Ireland
Grant Thornton Belfast
Lloyds Banking Group
Cleaver Fulton Rankin
The insolvency and business restructuring team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin handles a range of insolvency matters for domestic, Republic of Ireland and GB insolvency practitioners. Practice head Jeanette Donohoe has a strong reputation amongst international law firms for specialist Northern Ireland expertise. Leveraging over two decades of experience in banking and finance matters, Stephen Cross supports the team in advising administrators, liquidators and receivers on the enforcement of security. Maria McNally is another key practitioner.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jeanette Donohoe
Autres avocats clés:
Stephen Cross; Maria McNally
Les références
‘Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s insolvency team is highly recommended. The team is on top of this area, very responsive and demonstrates great leadership.’
‘Jeanette Donohoe is exceptional to deal with and maintains a very high standard. Maria McNally is very impressive. ’
‘Efficient and effective service’
Principaux clients
Apex Group Fiduciary Services Limited
Baker Tilly Mooney Moore
McCambridge Duffy
KPMG
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
HSBC Bank Plc
Harland and Wolff (Belfast) Limited
Invest NI
Teneo
Department for Economy for Northern Ireland
Principaux dossiers
- Acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as the majority creditor of J.M.C. Mechanical & Construction Limited (In Liquidation), assisting the client to claim losses of £7,600,000.
- Acting on behalf of the directors of Harland and Wolff (Belfast) Limited, in a pre-pack administration sale which saved over 1000 local jobs.
- Advising the Department for the Economy on the scheme of arrangement made in respect of the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Mills Selig
Mills Selig‘s ‘outstanding’ restructuring and insolvency group is well-versed in advising private individuals and local accountancy firms and routinely receives instruction from firms based in the UK and Ireland. Team lead Richard Craig has experience in contentious insolvency proceedings before the High Court. John Kearns is knowledgeable on enforcement procedures, while Kathryn Mclvor supports Craig in insolvency-related disputes and litigation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Richard Craig
Autres avocats clés:
John Kearns; Kathryn Mclvor
Les références
‘An outstanding, ultra professional and courteous firm who have successfully resolved significant issues for myself, my wife and my company.’
They communicate effectively and in a timely manner. ’
‘John Kearns, Richard Craig, Kathryn McIvor – In brief, they are a class above other firms and individuals that we have used in the past. ’
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
Tughans
Tughans’ dedicated insolvency, business recovery and restructuring practice regularly acts for clients in the Republic of Ireland and England & Wales, and covers a broad spectrum of disputes and advisory matters. Spearheading the team is senior partner Toby McMurray, whose recent instructions include handling the Northern Irish aspects of major restructuring plans. The wider team includes Ellen Forester and Caroline McAlister, who support McMurray on all aspects of debt recovery mandates.
Responsables de la pratique:
Toby McMurray
Autres avocats clés:
Ellen Forester; Caroline McAlister
Les références
‘A very well-known and highly respected firm.’
‘Toby McMurray is excellent – very highly thought of, knowledgeable and pragmatic.’
‘They provide market-leading advice. Their advice is always commercial and solution-driven. We use Tughans on our largest and most complicated cases.’
Principaux clients
Keenan Corporate Finance
Diageo Northern Ireland Limited
Northern Ireland Co-Operation Overseas Limited
BDO NI
C-Retail Limited (Superdry)
Dobbies Garden Centres Limited
Teneo Financial Advisory Limited
Interpath Advisory
KPMG
Garlor Limited
Davidson McDonnell
Corporate and personal insolvency matters, as well as advising lenders on recoveries, make up the core workload of Davidson McDonnell’s insolvency and corporate recovery team. Team lead Lindsey Harten acts for insolvency practitioners and handles enforcement strategies for a range of lenders. Co-head and litigator Shane McVeigh is well-versed in debt recovery and repossessions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lindsey Harten; Shane McVeigh
Les références
‘High level of partner engagement, excellent client service and proactive communication on active cases and case progression. Strong advice, committed to providing a clear legal opinion. Expertise across a number of key areas that tie into both aspects of personal/corporate insolvency and wider commercial issues such as corporate transactions and employment law.’
‘Lindsey Harten has invaluable experience in the insolvency sector. Strong, commercial approach to complicated cases. Excellent communications and always considering alternative approaches to the matter at hand.’
‘Their advice is always commercial and solution-driven. Excellent response times. They are a trusted advisor in the most complex legal matters.’
Principaux clients
Deloitte (NI) Limited
BDO NI Limited
Keenan Corporate Finance Limited
Lecale Corporate Finance & Restructuring Limited
Gildernew & Co Limited
FRP Advisory Trading Limited
Danske Bank
Interpath Limited t/a Interpath Advisory
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the administrator of Pure Fitout Associated Limited in relation to the trading administration sale of the business and assets of the company saving circa 100 jobs.
- Advised the purchaser of Homebase brand name, intellectual property and UK stores in relation to the Northern Irish aspects of the pre-pack administration sale.
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP bolstered its insolvency department with the hire of Tanya Surgeon from Tughans in January 2025. Practice head Ciaran McCorry specialises in insolvency litigation and acts for administrators on appointment challenges and also defends clients against debt claims. Surgeon routinely represents clients in the High Court and regularly assists with bankruptcy petitions and winding up proceedings.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ciaran McCorry
Autres avocats clés:
Tanya Surgeon
Les références
‘The recent recruitment of Tanya Surgeon is an excellent hire and one which should draw more local insolvency work to the firm as she is a brilliant solicitor.’
‘Tanya Surgeon is a wonderful hire for the team. A leading lawyer in the field and I will now instruct Shoosmiths due to her presence there.’
‘Tanya Surgeon is an excellent lawyer. She matches very strong technical skills with commercial outcomes and advice – a trusted advisor.’
Principaux clients
Bibby Financial Services Limited
Keenan Corporate Finance
NatWest
Hays Recruitment Limited
BlueSky Resource Recovery Limited
Ulster Bank Limited
Arkle Finance Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Bibby Financial Services Limited in respect of complex cross-jurisdictional issues regarding the validity of its security over a Northern Ireland company and appointed administrators on its behalf.
- Advising Keenan Corporate Finance in its capacity as Administrators of a large Northern Ireland cleaning company, Rise 2 Shine Ltd (In Administration).
- Advised a financial institution in respect of its insolvent customer, and in respect of a dispute with the Liquidator of the company relating to alleged preferential payments in the context of a director’s personal guarantee.
TLT
TLT‘s Belfast office draws on its teams in its wider UK offices to advise insolvency practitioners and private individuals on a variety of matters. Fergal Maguire and Brendan Logue jointly lead the team. Maguire, who co-manages the litigation department, is called upon for insolvency disputes, while Logue is noted for his technical expertise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Fergal Maguire; Brendan Logue
Les références
‘TLT has a very well-regarded, efficient and experienced insolvency and corporate recovery team.’
‘The team provides excellent service on corporate restructuring and insolvency matters. The team has collectively excellent technical ability and brings a sound, practical and commercial approach to advising insolvency practitioners.’
‘Brendan Logue is readily available and provides quick advice on matters. Brendan has excellent technical knowledge in the area.’