The Winding-Up Process

The purpose of a winding-up petition is to make equable and rateable distribution of all assets of a company amongst all creditors of the company without favour or preference (per Ince Hall Rolling Mills Company Ltd v The Douglas Forge Company (1882) 8 QBD 179).

What is a Winding-up Petition?

In the UK, a company can be wound up either voluntarily or through a compulsory court order following the presentation of a winding-up petition. This petition can be filed by any creditor owed a debt of at least £750.00 GBP and seeks a compulsory order to liquidate the company’s assets and distribute the proceeds to creditors. It is a serious step that can have significant implications for the company, its directors, and its stakeholders.

The winding-up petition process involves the creditor filing the petition with the Companies Court (now formally known as ‘The Insolvency and Companies List’), which is a specialist court within the Business and Property Courts of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales. The court will consider the petition presented to it and after the service process may at a hearing dismiss it, adjourn the hearing, or make a winding-up order if it is satisfied that the company cannot pay its debts.

If a winding-up order is made, the court will appoint an official liquidator to manage the liquidation process, including selling the company’s assets and paying off creditors. The liquidator will investigate the conduct of the company’s directors and may take legal action against them if they acted improperly or negligently.

It is important to note that the winding-up petition process can be defended by the company and alternative debt recovery options may be available. The winding-up petition process is complex and costly, and to ensure an optimal outcome including recovery of costs it should be managed by experienced and specialist insolvency law solicitors.

WARNING: DEBT RECOVERY AGENCIES

Debt recovery agencies that are not SRA authorised solicitors should be avoided as they are not lawfully entitled to manage a winding-up petition or any court litigation in the UK (an offence under the Solicitors Act 1974) and may engage in sharp practice both against their client and the other side for which you could be punished by the Court.

Check Your Insolvency Case ✔

We analyse your winding-up petition prospects. We deliver strategic legal advice at your first meeting. We get optimal legal results. Want a first or second opinion on your case? Click below or call our lawyers in London on ☎ 02071830529

WARNING – OBTAIN SPECIFIC GUIDANCE & ADVICE

The information on this website is not legal advice; you should always obtain specific advice on the circumstances of your case. Our Winding-up Petition Solicitors & Barristers provide specialist legal advice based on decades of expertise. Click here or call +442071830529 to get in touch. For regulatory reasons we do not take on low value cases nor provide free legal advice, information or guidance and our team cannot answer questions from non-clients.

Consequences of a winding-up petition

The ultimate consequence of a UK winding-up petition, if successful, is the liquidation or winding-up of the company. This means that the company’s assets will be sold off, and the proceeds will be used to pay off the company’s creditors in accordance with a statutory order of priority. Any remaining funds will then be distributed to the company’s shareholders.

During the liquidation process, the company will cease trading, and its directors will lose control of the company. The liquidator appointed by the court will take over the management of the company’s affairs and will be responsible for investigating the conduct of the company’s directors and officers.

The liquidation process can have significant consequences for the company’s employees, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders, as they may face financial loss or disruption to their businesses. The directors of the company may also face personal liability for any wrongdoing or breach of their duties that contributed to the company’s financial difficulties.

Therefore, a winding-up petition is a serious step and should only be used as a last resort. It is important for both creditors and companies to seek professional advice from experienced insolvency law solicitors before taking any action.

Step-by-Step Guide to UK Winding-up Petition

The legal procedure for filing a winding up petition in the UK is governed by the Insolvency Act 1986. Here are the steps that must be followed:

  • Serving a Statutory Demand: Before a winding up petition can be filed, the creditor must serve a statutory demand on the company or a letter of demand offering a shorter period. A statutory demand is a written notice demanding payment of the debt, and it gives the company 21 days to either pay the debt or come to an agreement with the creditor. The demand is best served by a solicitor and process server in order that the company take the demand seriously and no mistakes are made in the process.
  • Filing the Petition: If the debt remains unpaid after the 21-day or less notice period has expired, the creditor can file a winding up petition with the court. The petition must be accompanied by a statement setting out the basis for the claim and evidence that the debt is owed.
  • Advertisements and Notices: Once the winding up petition has been filed, the court will issue a copy to the company, and the creditor must serve the petition upon the company in accordance with the rules of service before then advertising the petition in the London Gazette. The company would normally instruct solicitors and respond to the petition. If the company does not respond, the court may issue a winding-up order if all the court papers are in order.
  • Hearing: Upon sealing the petition a court hearing will be scheduled to determine whether the winding up petition should be ordered. At the hearing, the court will consider the evidence presented by the creditor and the company and decide whether the debt is owed and whether a winding-up order is appropriate or an adjournment. A contested petition can often result in court-ordered directions for exchange of evidence before a final hearing.
  • Winding Up Order: If the court grants the winding up petition, it will issue a winding-up order, and a liquidator will be appointed to wind up the affairs of the company. The liquidator will take control of the company’s assets, sell them, and distribute the proceeds to the company’s creditors in accordance with their respective claims.

Impact on Company, Directors, and Stakeholders

A winding up petition can have significant implications for the company, its directors, and its stakeholders. Here are some of the potential consequences:

  • Company Closure: If a winding up order is granted, the company will be closed, and its assets will be liquidated. The company will cease to exist, and its employees will lose their jobs.
  • Director Disqualification: If the court finds that the directors of the company have acted improperly, they may be disqualified from acting as directors of any company for a period of up to 15 years.
  • Personal Liability of Directors: The directors of the company may be personally liable for any debts incurred by the company during their tenure. The liquidator may also seek to recover any payments made to the directors that were not properly authorized or were made at a time when the company was insolvent.
  • Impact on Credit Rating: A winding up order will have a significant impact on the company’s credit rating, making it more difficult to obtain credit in the future.
  • Legal Costs: The legal costs of defending a winding up petition can be significant, and the company will be responsible for paying these costs, regardless of the outcome of the hearing.
  • Limited Recovery for Creditors: In most cases, the proceeds from the sale of the company’s assets will be insufficient to pay all of its debts, and creditors will only receive a percentage of the amount owed to them.

Winding-up Petitions – Key Case Law

There have been several key cases in the UK regarding winding-up petitions, which have helped to establish the legal principles governing this process:

  1. Re Yenidje Tobacco Co Ltd (1916) 2 Ch 426: In this case, the court held that a winding-up petition can only be presented by a creditor who has a valid and undisputed debt owed to them by the company and that a company is insolvent if it is unable to pay its debts as they fall due.
  2. Re Paramount Airways Ltd [1993] BCLC 316: established that a winding-up order may be made if a company is commercially insolvent, even if it has sufficient assets to pay its debts.
  3. Re Southard and Co Ltd (1934) Ch 785: This case established that a winding-up petition can be dismissed if the petitioner is not a genuine creditor, or if the petition is an abuse of process.
  4. Re London and County Securities Ltd (1924) 1 Ch 28: This case clarified that a company may be deemed unable to pay its debts if it has failed to comply with a statutory demand, or if it is clear that it is unable to pay its debts as they fall due.
  5. Re Atlantic Computer Systems plc (1992) BCC 236: This case confirmed that a winding-up petition can be presented based on a single unpaid debt, even if the company disputes the debt.
  6. Re Lundy Granite Co (1869) LR 8 Eq 174: This case established that a winding-up petition can be dismissed if the company is able to show that it is able to pay its debts, or if it can agree to a repayment plan with its creditors.

These cases, among others, have helped to shape the legal framework governing winding-up petitions in the UK and provide important guidance on the interpretation and application of the relevant legislation.

Role of a Liquidator in winding up petitions

The role of a liquidator is critical in the winding-up process of a company in the UK. Once a winding-up order has been made, the court will appoint a liquidator to oversee the liquidation process and distribute the company’s assets among its creditors.

The main role of the liquidator is to take control of the company’s affairs and investigate its financial position, including its assets, liabilities, and debts. The liquidator is responsible for selling the company’s assets and using the proceeds to pay off its creditors in accordance with a statutory order of priority. The liquidator may also seek to recover any funds owed to the company by debtors or other parties.

During the liquidation process, the liquidator will have the power to investigate the conduct of the company’s directors and officers, and to take legal action against them if they are found to have acted improperly or negligently. This may include seeking to recover any assets that have been transferred out of the company inappropriately, or to pursue claims for breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongdoing.

The liquidator must also keep the company’s creditors and shareholders informed of the progress of the liquidation and provide regular reports to the court. Once the liquidation process is complete, the liquidator will file a final report and account with the court, and any remaining funds will be distributed to the company’s shareholders.

It is important to note that the liquidator is an officer of the court and has a duty to act in the best interests of all the company’s creditors, not just those who appointed them. The liquidator must also act impartially and fairly in their dealings with the company’s directors and officers, and comply with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

What happens to any Surplus on winding-up?

After all of the company’s debts and expenses have been paid by the appointed liquidator, there may be assets left over, known as a surplus. Section 154 of the Insolvency Act 1986 sets out that this surplus can be distributed among “people entitled,” which may include shareholders, subject to certain restrictions.

The priority for distributing any surplus is outlined in the Insolvency Act 1986. First, any fixed charge holders with a specific security interest over certain assets of the company will receive payment. Next, preferential creditors such as employees owed wages, salaries or other benefits will be paid. If there is still a surplus, it will be distributed among unsecured creditors owed debts not secured by specific assets. Finally, any remaining funds will be distributed among the shareholders in accordance with their rights and interests.

It is important to note that the distribution of any surplus is subject to court orders and may be affected by claims or challenges made by creditors or other parties. The liquidator must ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met before making any distributions and must obtain court approval before finalising the liquidation process.

Why you should instruct us?

By seeking the advice of a qualified legal professionals with experience in winding up companies, you can ensure that the process is handled efficiently and effectively. Our winding-up petition lawyers can guide you through the winding up court procedure, help you prepare the necessary documents and affidavits, and represent you in court if necessary.

Additionally, our expert winding-up petition lawyers can provide you with crucial advice on the implications of winding up your company, including the potential impact on your personal finances and liabilities. They can also advise you on any alternative options that may be available to you, such as a voluntary arrangement or administration.

In short, seeking legal advice for winding up a company is essential to protect your interests and ensure that the process is handled in accordance with the relevant statutes and case law. Don’t risk the consequences of a botched winding up process – seek the advice of an experienced legal professional today.

How Can We Help You Oppose a Winding Up Petition?

Our specialist winding-up petition lawyers are experts in defending winding-up petitions. We can advise you as to the specific merits and demerits of your case and can assist you in opposing winding up petitions and negotiating with creditors. If your company has been issued a winding-up petition or statutory demand, you may be able to challenge that petition on the following grounds:

That the debt alleged in the statutory demand or petition to be owing is genuinely disputed on substantial grounds by your company; Your company has a genuine right of set-off against the creditor that exceeds the amount claimed in the statutory demand; or In certain other limited circumstances (for example such as jurisdiction, technical or procedural error or delay).

To oppose a winding-up petition, you will initially need to file a witness statement in opposition with the Court within five business days before the date when the petition will be heard by the Court (rule 7.16 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016). A copy of that witness statement will need to be provided to the petitioning creditor at least five business days before the hearing.

Your company is entitled to appear at the petition hearing so as to oppose the making of a winding-up order. It is a routine matter for companies to instruct solicitors and/or barristers to appear on their behalf at the hearing.

Our Winding-Up Experts are able to give specialist legal information and advice relating to winding up matters and connected applications. To contact one of our Solicitors or Barristers please click here or call 02071830529. 

First-class Second Opinions ✔
Discounted fixed fee advice.

Need a second opinion on your insolvency litigation? Our specialist solicitors & barristers can help by assessing your case prospects and whether a winding-up petition is the right tool. We have dual-qualified lawyers, so if our view is your case has limited merit or high risk we warn you in our first meeting.

Some firms offer free meetings with unqualified or junior lawyers but only after you’ve spent significant funds do you then get advice from a senior partner and/or barrister possibly suggesting that the case shouldn’t be pursued. We believe it is better to give accurate advice from experienced counsel from the outset.

We do things differently from all other law firms in England & Wales. We offer you partner and counsel-led advice in our first meeting, for a heavily discounted fixed fee. That way our best solicitors and barristers can review your litigation case and give you the correct advice at the outset, when it matters the most.

Legal advice is just one aspect of getting a solution. The most important thing is what you do with the legal knowledge about your case, how you present it to the other side and how you negotiate your way to the optimal legal settlement. Our lawyers are masters of strategically securing optimal financial settlement, often via winding-up petitions where carefully considered and advised as appropriate.

Want your case assessed or a second legal opinion? Call ☎ 02071830529 or message our London litigators by clicking the Check My Case button below:

Call Now Button search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close