Category: Insolvency

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.

2026 Guide UK Winding‑up Petition Procedure

2026 Guide: UK Winding‑up Petition Procedure

When a creditor serves a winding‑up petition, the company faces immediate risk of frozen bank accounts, compulsory liquidation and director investigation. This 2026 guide explains the UK winding‑up petition procedure step‑by‑step, from petition issue and London Gazette advertisement through to court hearings, potential rescue strategies and the consequences of a winding‑up order for directors and stakeholders.

Company directors reviewing a personal guarantee agreement after corporate default in a professional office setting

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.

HMRC, Security Notice, Notice of Requirement, NOR, Tax Tribunal, Lexlaw, Tax Disputes, Director Liability, VAT Security, PAYE Security, Revenue Protection, Michael Duma, Harriot Rockey, Keith Gordon, Tax Litigation Solicitors.

Case Study: HMRC Security Notices Overturned – Duma & Rockey v HMRC (Tax Tribunal Appeal)

We are the leading firm representing Directors and Companies facing HMRC Security Notices and we regularly succeed on behalf of clients. Here, our counsel successfully fought HMRC Security Notices that sought to impose over £215,000 in personal liability for VAT and PAYE debts. The case is a landmark victory against HMRC Notices of Requirement to give Security.

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.