Insolvency and Forensics

This is invariably a creditor-driven process, which follows a bankruptcy order made by the court, usually on the petition of a creditor

Bankruptcy

This is invariably a creditor-driven process, which follows a bankruptcy order made by the court, usually on the petition of a creditor. It is a creditor's action of last resort in attempting to collect an outstanding debt. A debtor may also present a petition for his or her own bankruptcy.

Individual voluntary arrangement

A flexible process which is essentially a contract between an individual and their creditors to "park" debt in such a manner that allows an eventual greater return to creditors, albeit often over time, than they could expect in a bankruptcy.

A proposal is prepared within a statutory framework that needs to be approved by the individual and their creditors as must any proposed modifications to the original proposal.

Parts of a company's business may be unprofitable but insolvency may be avoided.

Turnaround, restructure and refinance

Parts of a company's business may be unprofitable but insolvency may be avoided by shedding such parts. We can provide a comprehensive business review, which will highlight such issues and make detailed recommendations for the way forward. In this respect we will work with the company's management, financiers and other stakeholders and, where possible, formulate a solution to return the company to profitability.

Administration

A company may be placed into administration out of court by:

1. debenture holders with qualifying and enforceable floating charges
2. the company or its directors

and by order of the court upon the petition of:

1. any creditor
2. the company's liquidator
3. a supervisor of a company voluntary arrangement
4. the company, its shareholders or its directors

The statutory purposes for the appointment of an administrator must correspond to a hierarchy of three objectives:

1. rescuing the company as a going concern (not simply its business). If this is impossible:
2. winding up the company is likely to achieve a better result for creditors. If this is not possible:
3. realising property in order to make a distribution to one or more secured or preferential creditors

Administrative receivership

The holder of a floating charge over a company's assets created prior to 15 September 2003 may appoint an administrative receiver should the company default under the terms of the debenture.

Administrative receivership is likely to be utilised to trade on a company to facilitate a going concern sale of its business and assets.

Company voluntary arrangement

A flexible process which is essentially a contract between a company and its creditors to "park" debt in such a manner that allows an eventual greater return to creditors, albeit often over time, than they could expect in a liquidation.

A proposal is prepared within a statutory framework that needs to be approved by the company and its creditors as must any proposed modifications to the original proposal.

Directors of "small" companies are entitled to obtain a short moratorium in order that they may propose a company voluntary arrangement ("CVA").

To take advantage of the moratorium procedure a company must satisfy specified criteria.

Creditors' voluntary liquidation

This is appropriate when a company is insolvent and has no prospect of continuing to trade profitably in the future. A company can be placed into liquidation and, if appropriate, at extremely short notice with the agreement of 95% of its shareholders.

Compulsory liquidation

This is invariably a creditor-driven process, which follows a winding-up order made by the court, usually on the petition of a creditor. It is a creditor's action of last resort in attempting to collect an outstanding debt.

Fixed charge or Law of Property Act receivership

Unlike administrative receivership, this appointment is made by a mortgagor who does not hold a floating charge over the company's assets. The receiver is appointed to realise a specific asset for the benefit of the charge holder.

Members Voluntary Liquidations

A Members' Voluntary Liquidation ("MVL") is a solvent liquidation of a company whereby the assets are realised and, having settled any outstanding creditors, the remaining balance is distributed to the shareholders in a tax efficient manner.

We work with your accountants and tax advisors in order to achieve the best outcome for your given situation.

Who would be interested in an MVL?

• Anyone retiring and closing down their business
• A contractor who wishes to continue in full time employment
• Where there is a larger group structure and a rationalisation of some of the companies within the group is required
• Closure of a dormant or non-trading company
• Pre-sale reconstruction
• Post business sale

At OC Insolvency we have a dedicated team of insolvency investigators trained to identify, discover and recover the assets.

The investigations we undertake will look to identity what records are available and then look to reconstruct the rest necessary identify what assets should exist. Once these assets have been identified then we would commence the process of tracing the assets to either recover them or pursue compensation claims against those who may have inflicted a fraud such as:

• Transactions at an Undervalue / Preferences
• Transactions Defrauding Creditors
• Antecedent Transactions / Anti Deprivation claims
• Illegal dividends / - Excessive remuneration
• False accounting
• Wrongful Trading / Fraudulent Trading
• Misfeasance / Breach of Duty or Trust
• Equitable and Tracing Relief

We can act as expert witness in fraud and litigation matters.