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Business Law Library & Tracker

Insolvency & Restructuring

Liquidation, voidable transactions, director risk and distressed counterparties.

Sources last reviewed 10 Aug 2026

Main law guides

122

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

143

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

13

New, amended & reviewed

Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.

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Main laws

Main lawUnited Kingdom

Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986

UKPGA 1986 c 46

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Companies & StartupsInsolvency & RestructuringDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringWorkplace Investigations & Misconduct
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020

UKPGA 2020 c 12

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Insolvency & RestructuringContracts & CommercialLiquidation & RestructuringImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Insolvency Act 1986

UKPGA 1986 c 45

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Insolvency & RestructuringFinance, Payments & SecurityDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Main lawUnited Kingdom

The Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006

UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument 2006 1030

PriorityCurrent legislation7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Insolvency & RestructuringLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawUnited Kingdom

The Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Insolvency and Dissolution) Regulations 2012

UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument 2012 3013

PriorityCurrent legislation8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Insolvency & RestructuringLiquidation & RestructuringLicences, Permits & RegistrationsCharities, Clubs & Member GovernanceTelecommunications, Media & Content

Cases

Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2026] EWCA Civ 13624 Feb 2026

DSM IP Assets BV & Anor v Algal Omega 3 Limited (In Administration) & Anor

For most small businesses, the durable lesson is not about the science. It is about IP diligence. A patent can look commercially important, but its real value...

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Insolvency & RestructuringDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesLiquidation & RestructuringLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & Content
UK Supreme Court[2025] UKSC 187 May 2025

Bilta (UK) Ltd (in liquidation) and others v Tradition Financial Services Ltd

For ordinary businesses, the durable lesson is not about carbon trading itself. It is about counterparties, intermediaries and warning signs. If your business helps...

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Insolvency & RestructuringDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsEnvironmental Consents & WasteImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentNatural Hazards, Climate & Resilience
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2025] EWCA Civ 26414 Mar 2025

Mohinder Singh & Ors v David Ingram (in his capacity as the Liquidator of MSD Cash and Carry PLC)

For business owners, directors and insolvency practitioners, the lesson is simple: do not assume that a funding agreement signed part-way through a dispute only...

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Insolvency & RestructuringDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesInsurance Policies & Claims
High Court of Justice[2025] EWHC 2276 (Ch)4 Sept 2025

River Island Holdings Limited, Re

The practical lesson is not that every struggling business can cut leases through court process. It is that directors should act early, build evidence and compare...

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Insolvency & RestructuringWages, Leave & PayrollDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringOnline Sales, Subscriptions & PlatformsCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentEquality, Discrimination & Accessibility
High Court of Justice[2025] EWHC 338 (Ch)18 Feb 2025

Thames Water Utilities Holdings Ltd, Re

If your business is heading towards a cash shortfall, the key lesson is to start restructuring work early and build evidence around the real fallback scenario if no...

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Insolvency & RestructuringDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringCompetition, Cartels & Market ConductImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & Content
UK Supreme Court[2022] UKSC 255 Oct 2022

BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana SA

Directors should change their decision-making discipline as financial distress increases. Board papers, cash-flow evidence and creditor impact should become more...

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Companies & StartupsInsolvency & RestructuringDirectors' Duties & GovernanceShareholders & Company ControlLiquidation & Restructuring
UK Supreme Court[2020] UKSC 2517 June 2020

Bresco Electrical Services Ltd v Michael J Lonsdale (Electrical) Ltd

Construction payment disputes do not disappear because one party becomes insolvent. Contractors and principals should keep payment notices, variations and evidence...

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Construction & TradesInsolvency & RestructuringContractors & Worker StatusLiquidation & RestructuringDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesConstruction Contracts & Payment