Category: Bankruptcy

Drelle v Servis-Terminal: Foreign Judgments & Bankruptcy

Drelle v Servis-Terminal: Foreign Judgments & Bankruptcy

The Supreme Court has settled a question that has troubled cross-border insolvency practitioners for years: whether a creditor can petition for bankruptcy using a foreign judgment that has never been through English recognition proceedings. Drelle v Servis-Terminal LLC [2026] UKSC 29 confirms they can, reshaping the options available to creditors holding judgments from Russia, the US, China and other non-treaty jurisdictions, while leaving debtors’ substantive defences firmly intact. Here’s what changed, and what it means for you.

Setting Aside a Statutory Demand as an Individual

You have just 18 days to challenge a statutory demand. Act fast, if you have a genuine dispute or legal defence, you may be able to stop bankruptcy proceedings. This succinct guide provides legal guidance from City of London’s specialist insolvency litigation team.

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Directors’ Personal Guarantees: What Happens When a Corporate Debtor Defaults?

When a company defaults, directors who have signed personal guarantees may face direct personal enforcement. This guide explains how personal guarantees operate under UK law, when liability arises, how creditors pursue guarantors, and what legal options may be available to protect personal assets.

Sections 235 and 236 Insolvency Act 1986: Directors’ Duties to Co-operate with Liquidators

Sections 235 and 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 impose powerful duties on company directors, officers, employees, and even third parties to co-operate with insolvency office-holders such as liquidators and administrators. Failure to assist properly during liquidation, administration, or bankruptcy can result in personal sanctions, court orders, fines, and even director disqualification.

Personal Liability Notices (PLNs) Guide 2026: What Directors Need to Know

Personal Liability Notices (PLNs) are a powerful HMRC enforcement mechanism that can make company directors and officers personally liable for unpaid corporate tax debts, including PAYE, National Insurance Contributions, VAT, and CIS. In 2026, PLNs are increasingly used in insolvency and enforcement scenarios, placing directors’ personal assets and professional futures at direct risk.

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Creditor’s Guide to Enforcement of Unpaid & Old Court Judgment Debts in the UK (2025)

Contrary to common belief, unpaid High Court & County Court judgments (CCJs) do not always become unenforceable after six years. With proper legal procedures and court permission, creditors can successfully enforce judgment debts many years old.