Birketts LLP's insolvency team ‘provides comprehensive advice in complex cross-border insolvency litigation' and clients note that the lawyers are ‘responsive, reliable and very effective'. The firm acts for leading insolvency practitioners on the scope of matters, among them RSM Recovery and Restructuring and Price Bailey. Practice head Laurence Weeks in Cambridge, who is a Fellow and Council member of R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals, ‘has been in the industry for years and is very knowledgeable in all things insolvency-related'. Key partner Maria-Christina Peyman, along with Norwich-based non-contentious specialist Greg Allan and qualified barrister Andrew Kinnison, also play pivotal roles in the practice.

Howes Percival LLP‘s insolvency practice is noted as having ‘superb expertise in this field’. The group is led by head of insolvency and corporate recovery Michael Green from Cambridge and Morris Peacock from Norwich, who oversees the firm’s work for the Insolvency Service. He notably acted for the Insolvency Service in the investigation into the alleged failure of BHS Limited and connected companies and the subsequent conduct of directors’ disqualification proceedings. The team is noted as having ‘a wealth of experience in running all aspects of heavy litigation’. In Norwich, ‘excellent solicitor’ William Shirley, ‘who is very experienced in litigation and advisory work’, and senior associates Leon Head and Patrick Manning are all central to the practice.

Isadore Goldman, which has a key hub in Norwich, is a specialist insolvency firm that handles disputes, restructuring advisory work and litigation. The firm has a national client base that includes major IPs such as Ensors and McTear Williams & Wood. The team is described as being ‘extremely friendly, with excellent technical knowledge’. Associate director Sian Leonard and associate Jenna Ansell, who manages day-to-day instructions under the firm’s contract with Aviva, are highly recommended. Leonard advised an IP on a £1.5m CVA and complex agreements with creditors. Former practice heads Adam McCaw and Frank Brumby have left the firm.

The ‘proactive and user-friendly‘ restructuring and insolvency group at Mills & Reeve LLP handles high-value and complex asset recovery claims both for and against insolvency practitioners. The broader practice is led from London but principal associate Lino Di Lorenzo is the key name in Cambridge, noted for his ‘excellent knowledge and understanding of the law which he applies to good effect'. Di Lorenzo stands out for his expertise in cross-border insolvencies and high-value, complex asset recovery actions. In the Norwich office, Catherine Noble handles complex claims to assist in the recovery of assets for estates, and Lynne Lawn specialises in debt recovery and asset recovery claims for the Official Receiver. Former lead partner Jamie Wheatley  retired from the practice in 2022.

Mishcon de Reya LLP‘s insolvency team in Cambridge is noted as taking ‘a common-sense, practical approach to cases and is very responsive to clients, and pro-active in case management’. Lead partner and licensed IP Adam Bradley recently acted for accountants Leonard Curtis Ltd in the proposed administration of a communication system company. Litigator Luke Hibbert has a broad background in disputes but frequently focuses on high-value insolvency matters. Senior counsel Jessica Boxford are and associate Jamie Short are described as being ‘a real pleasure to work with’; both are recommended for contentious matters.

The practice at Ashtons Legal's insolvency offering is ‘close-knit and collaborative in style, and able to flex to client demands'. Practice head Fiona Stuart in Norwich ‘has a wealth of knowledge and is as a joy to work with'; notably, she recently worked with associate Alice Trainor to advise Ensors on a complex £1.5m bankruptcy. Senior associate Ina Beurich joined in September 2022 from Leathes Prior, bringing her in-depth knowledge of complex, contentious insolvency-related matters. Litigator Michael Frape in Cambridge is also a key partner for contentious matters.

At Barker Gotelee in Ipswich, the insolvency team is ‘very technically astute and practical‘, and clients remark that it is formed of practitioners who are ‘extremely knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of clients'. The ‘very sharp, sensible and pragmatic‘ John Bradshaw is head of the insolvency and business recovery group, working closely with litigation and business services partner Dermott Thomas, corporate and charities partner Clare Richards, and real estate litigation partner Mark Wrinch. ‘Extremely approachable‘ legal executive Sarah Mower ‘gives excellent advice'.

The restructuring, turnaround and insolvency group at Buckles Solicitors LLP is ‘friendly, approachable and commercial‘, and clients note that matters are dealt with in ‘impeccably and in a cost-effective manner‘. Practice head and insolvency specialist Rachel McCahill is based in Nottingham but the Peterborough office remains a key hub for the practice. Cambridge-based senior associate Nick Porter is vastly experienced in commercial litigation and contentious insolvency matters and clients remark that he is ‘astute to the commercial reality of claims‘.