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Dealing with financial difficulties and the impact and aftermath of a potential bankruptcy is inherently stressful and can be all consuming; at times it may be difficult to see how you can move forward and the choices you face may appear impossible. We can help you start to see the wood for the trees, to identify solutions and options.
What we can help with
- Negotiate with creditors and manage communications
- Guide you with debt disputes
- Help you to oppose statutory demands and creditor bankruptcy petitions
- Advise you on the legal implications of IVAs and of applying for your own bankruptcy
- Help you understand your duties and obligations if you are bankrupt
- Advise you on your options if you jointly own property with a bankrupt person or claim any other rights in a property registered to a bankrupt person
- Help you to deal appropriately with assets which may have vested in your (or your spouse’s) trustee in bankruptcy
- Assist with relief from bankruptcy restrictions
- Help you to defend and negotiate void disposition claims
- Help you to defend and negotiate transaction at undervalue claims
- Help you to defend and negotiate unlawful preference claims
- Help you negotiate with trustees in bankruptcy and IVA supervisors generally
- Applications to annul your bankruptcy
- Advice regarding the administration of potentially insolvent deceased estates
- Bankruptcy jurisdiction disputes and cross-border asset recovery
People we have helped
- We helped the executors of a large and complex deceased estate involving hotels and other assets which turned out to be insolvent to apply successfully for an insolvent estates administration order and then to validate their expenses incurred in good faith by resisting a court application by the insolvent estate administrator to have them ruled as void.
- We helped a bankrupt annul his bankruptcy and to successfully challenge various creditor claims and his trustee in bankruptcy’s costs where the trustee had acted prematurely and/or inappropriately.
- We helped a former director of an insolvent company to avoid bankruptcy by persuading the liquidator that his beneficial interest in his family home was confined to 1% of the equity, that this could not be unravelled in a bankruptcy court and that his offer to settle the claims from his income was accordingly reasonable and should be accepted.
- We have helped numerous spouses, co-owners of property and other associates of bankrupts to negotiate and/or successfully oppose applications by trustees in bankruptcy for possession and sale of their homes and/or for orders in respect of alleged transactions at an undervalue, thus securing homes and livelihoods.
- We have helped individuals of various nationalities to access the protection of an English bankruptcy in the face of creditor opposition and/or adjudicator concerns about jurisdiction.
How we work with you
Whilst based in the South of England, Paris Smith acts for businesses and families throughout the UK. Technology has enabled us to provide a high level of service to our clients whether they are local to our offices or not. Our advice can be given in many ways:
- Over the telephone
- Via video conferencing
- In face to face meetings
We will talk through how you would like to be contacted and the best ways for us to meet in our early conversations with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here for all personal insolvency and corporate restructuring FAQ’s.
Get in touch to speak with an expert.
Introducing your key contact
Mike Pavitt
Partner – Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency; Commercial Disputes
Mike Pavitt
Partner – Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency; Commercial Disputes
Personal Insolvency Services
How we’ve helped our clients
Chambers and Partners Legal Directory 2025
What the team is known for
Paris Smith regularly tackles a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters, such as the sale and purchase of distressed assets including residential and commercial real estate. It is notable for its work in the leisure, retail and financial services sectors. It works for a range of local and national organisations, as well as individual directors and trustees in bankruptcy.
Strengths
“Paris Smith has a good level of technical knowledge.”
“I hold Paris Smith in high regard – they’re a good firm who provide good, solid advice.”
Notable Practitioners
Mike Pavitt
Mike Pavitt is based in Southampton and heads up the firm’s corporate restructuring and insolvency team. He is a distinguished practitioner with a strong practice handling the full range of corporate and personal insolvency matters. He is adept at handling pre-pack sales.
“Mike Pavitt is extremely technical lawyer. He is very much down in the detail and very skilled.”
“Mike is very thorough and knowledgeable. His knowledge of insolvency law is excellent.”
Lucy Andrews
Lucy Andrews is a solicitor on the firm’s corporate restructuring and insolvency team. She handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including bankruptcy and insolvency litigation and restructurings.
“Lucy Andrews offers high levels of communication and knowledge.”
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