Restructuring/Insolvency
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 4
Contact number
+44 20 7374 8000Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills possesses a strong restructuring and insolvency practice which is highly regarded for its representation of distressed debtors, particularly on deals in the energy and mining sectors. The firm also has an attractive offering on the lender side, acting on impressive instructions for high-profile financial institutions. Its lawyers have demonstrable experience handling complex multi-jurisdictional mandates, notably concerning the European and US markets.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills continued to advise Interpath in relation to the Toucan Energy insolvency.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are technically very strong, well balanced with commercial understanding. They are also extremely responsive and very professional."
"They're very high class. It's a very good firm with good individuals."
"They are technically very strong, well balanced with commercial understanding. They are also extremely responsive and very professional."
"They're very high class. It's a very good firm with good individuals."
Notable Practitioners
Kevin Pullen has considerable expertise spanning both domestic and international debt reconstruction and insolvency. He is regularly engaged by debtors and insolvency practitioners, among others.
"Kevin is a very experienced lawyer who gets to the heart of the issues very quickly."
John Chetwood has a growing restructuring and insolvency practice that sees him advise on a wide range of processes, including administrations, liquidations and recapitalisations. His client base includes corporates, insolvency practitioners and lenders. He also has experience in implementing restructuring plans.
"John is calm, technical and sees the commercial drivers very quickly."
"John is a very strong restructuring and insolvency lawyer."
"John is a genuinely nice guy, a good lawyer, and a sensible sounding board when trying to work issues through."
John Whiteoak is head of the restructuring, turnaround and insolvency department at Herbert Smith Freehills, and is noted for his broad range of matters including pensions disputes and disqualification proceedings.
"John Whiteoak is great to work with. He is experienced and commercial."
"John is a rising star. He is clear in his thinking and is a very good litigator able to come up with the strategic legal matters to highlight."