‘With its finger on the pulse’, Burges Salmon LLP advises clients in a wide range of sectors, frequently assisting insolvency practitioners, restructuring advisers, clearing banks and alternative lenders. The firm is also well-versed in supporting clients in distressed contexts within the public sector. The practice is headed by Andrew Eaton, who is experienced in handling distressed M&A matters. Colin Ligman is a key member of the team, advising funders and fixed-charge receivers in distressed real estate. Emily Scaife assists clients across the UK with administration. Noted by clients for being ‘really good at leading on deals’, Nick Middleton is another name of note.

Seen as ‘experienced and reliable’, the team at Foot Anstey assists clients at every stage of a distressed situation, focusing on distressed debt assignments, restructuring projects and equity investment. In addition to the charity and retail sectors, the firm has particular expertise in financial sector matters, advising administrators in investment bank special administrations. Joanne Rumley oversees the team, supporting retail, tech and healthcare clients in formal and non-formal procedures. Tim Pritchard acts on insolvency, restructuring and turnaround matters, with a particular focus on financial services formal insolvencies. Lydia Lloyd specialises in non-contentious matters, including pre-pack administrations for both buyers and sellers.

‘With strong capabilities across the restructuring spectrum’, TLT supports clients through the entire timeline of distressed situations, from pre-insolvency support to winding-up. The firm has particular expertise in assisting administrators and receivers. James Forsyth, noted for delivering ‘high quality legal and commercial advice’, oversees the Bristol-based team. Peter Carney is highly knowledgeable of restructuring and the sale of businesses and assets. ‘Standout’ Abigail Hadfield supports lenders in security and enforcement strategy matters. ‘Extremely hardworking’, Megan Elms advises on enforcement matters, insolvency practitioner appointments and shareholder disputes. Danielle Borthwick assists secured lenders with enforcement and exit strategies.

Offering ‘superb’ legal analysis, Ashfords LLP advises clients on both contentious and non-contentious insolvency matters. Its clientele includes large corporations and SMEs in the construction, leisure and maritime sectors. The team is led by the ‘incredibly talented’ Melissa George, who focuses on restructuring matters. David Pomeroy is a highly experienced practitioner, handling both public and private distressed situations. Demonstrating ‘excellence’, Nicola Brastock specialises in claims brought against directors and other individuals, acting for both claimants and defendants.

Experienced in contentious and non-contentious matters, Clarke Willmott LLP has a particular niche representing clients in cases where HMRC is the principal creditor. The firm also advises clients on breach of fiduciary duty claims and in cases under the Insolvency Act. The team is jointly led by Martin Askew, an expert in the recovery of offshore assets, and Ken MacLennan, acting in unlawful dividend and fraud-related claims. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Stephanie Hambridge acts on pre-pack administrations and claims relating to tax avoidance.

‘A very experienced and competent team’, DAC Beachcroft LLP supports clients in a range of industries, including financial services, insurance, health, real estate and manufacturing. The firm advises on cross-border matters across the restructuring and insolvency spectrum, with experience in distressed M&A. Kevin Hawthorn spearheads the practice, advising insolvency practitioners, corporates and insurers. Chris Stoate and Cara Sykes are both noted within the team, acting on debt restructurings. Giles Hindle left the practice in September 2024.

‘Hard-working, dedicated and thorough’, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP‘s Cheltenham-based team regularly assists administrators and liquidators in various contexts, with particular skill advising on the risk of their appointment. The firm also acts in litigation relating to distressed situations, including asset recovery and breach of directors’ duties claims. ‘First-class insolvency litigator’ Daniel Moore heads the practice, assisting financial institutions, boards of directors and insolvency practitioners.

Noted by clients for being a specialist practice maintaining a ‘great balance & range of skills’, Harrison Clark Rickerbys covers an array of sectors, with a strong focus on the charities, construction and agriculture industries. The firm is also able to draw on its broader areas of expertise, including dispute resolution and real estate, to enhance its advice. The regional team is led by Paul Grundy, who supports liquidators and administrators. The ‘terrific’ Deanne Hamilton is well-versed in contentious insolvency matters.

Punching ‘well above their perceived weight’, Stephens Scown LLP is broadly experienced across distressed situations, including both contentions and non-contentious insolvency, bankruptcy and administration. The firm is capable in insolvency disputes that raise issues of breach of directors’ duties. The ‘extremely astute and responsive’ Andrew Knox, who specialises in wrongful trading work, and Robin Koolhoven, ‘a 1st class insolvency lawyer’ with expertise in receivership contexts, lead the team.

‘Knowledgeable and skilled’, VWV supports clients in distressed situations across practice areas, but with a particular niche in issues affecting charities and education sector clients. The firm regularly advises clients in disputes containing antecedent transactions and breach of directors’ duties. The ‘very experienced’ Ed Husband advises liquidators, administrators and trustees in bankruptcy. The ‘superb’, Lisa Cooke acts for either side of claims under the Insolvency Act and is well-versed in both corporate and personal insolvency matters.

The team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, which shows ‘great strength and depth’, advises the full gamut of stakeholders in distressed situations, including insolvency practitioners and businesses. The firm is especially knowledgeable in non-contentious and restructuring matters relating to charities and construction. Leading the team from Bristol, the ‘very experienced and commercial’ Alan Bennett handles restructuring, cross-border insolvencies and contentious insolvency litigation. Holly Ransley is also of note.

Offering ‘a great blend of technical nous and commercial acumen’, Keystone Law provides transactional, contentious and advisory insolvency support. The firm’s presence in the UAE and Australia enables local expertise on multi-jurisdictional issue arising in a distressed context. It has also seen an increase in its construction sector expertise. Stephen Young, regarded as ‘a fantastic insolvency lawyer’, advises on both corporate and personal insolvency matters.

With particular strength in contentious insolvency matters, Thrings LLP advises the full gamut of stakeholders in distressed situations, including listed companies, sole traders and individual creditors. The Bristol-based team is led by Mark Cullingford, who is experienced in property insolvency and restructuring matters. Jane Henderson is a contentious insolvency specialist, acting on claims concerning antecedent transactions, breach of directors’ duties and misfeasance.

The Exeter-based team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP offers ‘genuine experience in the area’, advising on transactional matters, insolvency litigation and debt recovery. The team draws on its broad specialisms, including real estate, corporate law and employment to assist with a broad swathe of issues. The team contains the notable Katie Farmer, who provides ‘an exceptional service’ for insolvency practitioners, creditors, lenders and directors. ‘Growing his experience in the region’, Harvey Lavis advises clients in contentious insolvency matters.