Offering the ‘highest level of technical advice’ to a client base that spans from financial institutions to distressed investors, Burges Salmon LLP handles an array of domestic and cross-border distressed situations, including administrations, debt restructuring and schemes of arrangement. Practice head Andrew Eaton has extensive experience of advising on formal insolvency in the public and private sector. Colin Ligman frequently leads on matters concerning commercial property, while Emily Scaife is especially well-placed to act for administrators.

Known for its ability to handle pensions-related insolvencies, insolvency practitioner assignments, and other complex mandates – most recently for clients in the construction sector – Osborne Clarke LLP is also gaining momentum in work connected with distressed supply chains. Team lead Nigel Boobier, ‘a genuine market leader in the insolvency field’, frequently handles cases for clients from the built environment and the energy sector. Claire Bundy - whose practice focus encompasses both contentious and non-contentious work - notably advises on the sales and acquisitions of insolvent businesses.

Noted for its strong links to numerous financial institutions, TLT‘s ‘very responsive’ restructuring and insolvency practice caters to a diverse range of stakeholders. In addition, the practice has wide-ranging expertise in loan portfolio transactions, renewables sector restructurings, and CVA cases connected to the retail space. James Forsyth leads the team; he maintains a far-reaching practice, and is noted for his niche focus acting for receivers appointed under proceeds of crime legislation. Peter Carney is singled out for his international banking acumen, while Abigail Hadfield‘s client base includes a broad spectrum of lenders. Richard Clark and Tom Ward further strengthen the team.

The ‘quality commercial service’ at Ashfords LLP is noted for its capabilities in transactional and restructuring matters, cross-border work, and litigation. Bristol-based practice head David Pomeroy handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious work, including pre-pack administrations. The Exeter-based Anna Thompson, who specialises in finance and restructuring, joined the team from Michelmores LLP in January 2023, while contentious insolvency expert Nicola Brastock and Melissa George joined from Thrings LLP in November 2022 and May 2023, respectively. Meanwhile, Katie Farmer and Alan Bennett left in July and December 2022, respectively.

Regarded by clients as ‘innovative and commercial', Clarke Willmott LLP‘s restructuring and insolvency team’s varied workload sees them advising on breach of duty claims against directors, pre-packs, and civil recovery claims for multiple clients. The team is co-led by Martin Askew, described as a ‘leader in the sector’, and Ken MacLennan,whose expertise extends to CVAs and trading bankruptcies. Contentious insolvency expert Ruth Hartnell-Thorne and the ‘fiercely pragmatic' Stephanie Bishop are further key contacts at the firm.

DAC Beachcroft LLP provides assistance to insolvency practitioners with contentious issues, advising clients on matters such as formal insolvencies, accelerated M&A, and restructurings. The practice offers specialised expertise in the health, insurance, retail, and manufacturing sectors, among others. The Bristol-based team is jointly led by ‘sharp operator’ Giles Hindle and Kevin Hawthorn, who is praised for ‘supporting insolvency practitioners and business owners’ through a range of processes. Chris Stoate is a further key contact.

Boardroom advisory work, special administrations of investment banks, and company turnarounds make up some of the varied work handled by the ‘strong and responsive' restructuring and insolvency team at Foot Anstey. Practice head Joanne Rumley is a special administrations expert who is praised for her ability to give sensible ‘advice to directors in very pressurised times’. Tim Pritchard has longstanding experience of advising banks on lending issues in distressed situations, while Lydia Lloyd has a notable focus on pre-pack administration and administration sales, especially in the charity and retail sectors.

Office holders, companies, lenders and creditors put their faith in the ‘tenacious' Keystone Law to handle a broad range of contentious, advisory and transactional insolvency mandates. The ‘well-respected’ Stephen Young is the key contact in the South West, advising insolvency office holders and other stakeholders affected by insolvency forms the bedrock of his practice.

The Cheltenham-based team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP maintains a broad practice, acting for insolvency practitioners on transactions, advising directors on issues related to formal insolvency, and handling an array of contentious work such as asset recovery and security enforcement. Practice head Daniel Moore is praised for his ‘unparalleled knowledge of cross-border insolvency and financial markets.' Ben Moore and Hannah Gornall bolster the group's disputes offering.

Handling a wide array of contentious and non-contentious insolvency work, the team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys is increasingly focused on early involvement in restructurings. Practice chair Robin Koolhoven's broad Cheltenham-based practice includes advising on fixed charge receivership appointments. Deanne Hamilton has significant expertise in director disqualification work, while Paul Grundy specialises in contentious work such as breach of trust matters.

Stephens Scown LLP‘s ‘tenacious but fair and balanced’ practice handles a wide range of insolvency and restructuring matters, including advising liquidators on investigations into director conduct. Andrew Knox, who chairs the practice from the firm’s Exeter office, has significant experience of insolvency in the mining and minerals sector. Qualified mediator Toby Claridge‘s contentious expertise is frequently drawn upon by banks, insolvency practitioners, and LPA receivers. Sean Jenner is active across both corporate and personal insolvencies.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s ‘technically astute and commercially sensible‘ practice handles a range of transactional mandates, advisory work, contentious insolvency matters, and restructurings. Katie Farmer joined the practice from Ashfords LLP in July 2022; her recruitment is praised for adding ‘focus and expertise‘ to the South West team. Co-department heads Dan Butler and Navinder Grover are based in Manchester and London, respectively.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well regarded for its work with distressed energy suppliers, as well as its broader capabilities in restructurings and insolvency cases – including multi-jurisdictional and contentious mandates. Bristol-based team lead Alan Bennett joined from Ashfords LLP in December 2022; among his wide-ranging focus, he notably advises on matters involving distressed law firms. Bennett’s practice benefits from Christopher Towner‘s energy acumen, Craig Moore‘s real estate expertise, and Stephen Dilley‘s longstanding experience in contentious work.