Restructuring/Insolvency

Enterprise Chambers is a highly regarded set for restructuring and insolvency matters, and is regularly instructed to appear in complex cross-border disputes. The set houses a strong bench of barristers at both senior and junior levels who are noted for their "excellent range of experience across all manner of insolvency matters." Areas of expertise for the team include directors' misfeasance and disqualification claims, challenges to office holders' remuneration, corporate insolvencies and HMRC winding-up proceedings. Members act for a wide range of clients including administrators, liquidators, financial institutions and insolvency practitioners. The set has recently advised a class of sub-postmasters regarding the Post Office Horizon scandal, in particular advising successfully on strategy to prevent insolvency officers taking compensation for fees and expenses. Members of chambers also continue to act for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme regarding winding-up proceedings in the High Court against foreign-registered companies involved in a multimillion-pound fraud.

"Senior clerk Michael Ireland is very professional and commercial."

"They provide excellent and friendly clerking."

"The clerks are very personable and willing to go the extra mile."

Kavan Gunaratna
Kavan Gunaratna advises primarily on insolvency matters with a commercial or property slant. His broad practice also encompasses chancery and commercial matters. He is well liked by clients, who applaud his intelligence and top-quality advocacy. He is a popular choice for local government bodies and counts major banks and lenders among his clients. "He has a very smooth advocacy style that is so persuasive." "He is just a brilliant lawyer in every way, a rising star the insolvency Bar." "The go-to expert on property-related insolvency matters."

Niall McCulloch
Niall McCulloch concentrates his practice on company insolvency. He regularly handles both domestic and international matters, appearing in domestic courts such as the Court of Appeal and the High Court, as well as in the British Virgin Islands. He regularly acts for liquidators in actions brought against directors. "Incredibly bright and commercially astute, he is impressive on his feet and absolutely willing to fight tooth and nail for the client." "Niall has a great strategic mind and is first choice for a hard-fought claim against directors." "He has a very calming presence in court which tends to endear him well with the judge."

Hugo Groves
Hugo Groves handles a mixed caseload featuring both company and insolvency litigation. His recent instructions include claims against directors and shareholder disputes. He is also adept at handling freezing order applications and claims based on failed tax avoidance schemes. He draws on his expertise as a qualified New York attorney in cases with a cross-border element involving the USA. "He is focused, user-friendly and knowledgeable."

Stephen Davies KC
Stephen Davies KC is a highly experienced silk fielding considerable expertise in a wide range of restructuring and insolvency matters. He is adept at acting for a wide range of stakeholders in insolvency litigation and is regularly instructed in high-profile and complex cases. "He is fantastic in both written and oral submissions on technical insolvency disputes."

Amit Gupta
Amit Gupta regularly acts on officer misfeasance case, often involving some aspects of fraud. He is instructed on behalf of a broad client base of liquidators, administrators and companies. "Amit is an excellent advocate who delivers his point in a clear and concise way."

Geoffrey Zelin
Geoffrey Zelin remains a popular choice for big-ticket insolvency cases, accepting instructions from a broad client base including liquidators, receivers and administrators. His corporate insolvency expertise includes cases concerning asset recovery claims, professional negligence claims and retrospective administration orders. "He is incisive and perceptive."

James Davies
James Davies is particularly adept at handling cross-border insolvency issues. With expertise spanning both corporate and personal insolvency, Davies has notable experience in bankruptcy and winding-up petitions as well as in applications to remove office holders. "He is absolutely fantastic; his written work is excellent." "James Davies is excellent at getting to grips with complex matters and presenting them in a straightforward way."

James Pickering KC
James Pickering KC is a highly sought-after practitioner at the insolvency Bar who regularly handles high-profile, multimillion-pound disputes. His areas of expertise include guarantee claims and fraud trials, alongside proceedings arising out of cryptocurrency debt. He acts for a diverse portfolio of clients that include administrators, liquidators and lenders. "He is very effective in getting both the moral and the legal narrative of cases across to judges." "He is very good at advocacy and very much a silk that you would want to go out for a beer with as well."

Madeline Dixon
Madeline Dixon is a talented commercial chancery barrister who is regularly instructed in both corporate and personal insolvency proceedings. She has experience acting for insolvency office holders and private individuals, and is well versed in winding-up petitions, disputed bankruptcies and cases involving allegations of misfeasance. "She is precise, clear and technical in her written work." "Her advocacy skills are superb to watch, and her approach with solicitor and client is impeccable." "She has keen attention to detail and raises technical legal points but also advises in a commercial context."

Simon Johnson
Simon Johnson is a well-regarded junior experienced in the handling of both corporate and personal insolvencies. He acts for a broad range of clients, including creditors, debtors and insolvency office holders, and is regularly called upon to defend challenges to office holder appointments. "His ability to assimilate complex details is incredible." "He is a really measured and delightful advocate. He never gets flustered and puts his arguments across well."

Mairi Innes
Mairi Innes is an up-and-coming junior with commercial and insolvency litigation expertise. Both led and unled, she is often instructed by trustees in bankruptcy in related insolvency proceedings. She also has experience in winding-up petitions. "Mairi is a very safe pair of hands indeed. She cuts to the chase very well." "She is absolutely on top of the details and excellent at preparing skeleton arguments."