Restructuring & Insolvency weekly highlights-28 May 2026 In this issue Key R&I law developments Restructuring Personal insolvency Insolvency litigation R&I in Scotland Daily and weekly news alerts Key dates for restructuring and insolvency professionals New content Key R&I law developments Issue 170 of Insolvency Service’s Dear IP published The Insolvency Service has released issue 170 of its Dear IP newsletter. Highlights include revisions to the IP Complaints Gateway guidance, a consultation on proposed changes to Statement of Insolvency Practice (SIP) 2, and advice on safeguarding employee and consumer creditor data when lodging statements of affairs at Companies House. It confirms the UK Sanctions List is now the sole authoritative source for UK sanctions designations. The issue also sets out direction on using approved spreadsheet templates for submissions to the Insolvency Service, outlines proposals within the...
Ofwat has opened a consultation on provisional guidance for water companies carrying out schemes under the Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013 (SIPR), SI 2013/1582. This guidance outlines Ofwat’s regulatory and commercial expectations for such schemes and should be considered alongside the statutory guidance, ‘Criteria for selecting specified infrastructure projects’......
The Master of the Rolls and the Minister of State for Justice have approved the 195th Practice Direction (PD) Update, expanding the reach of the Damages Claim Portal (DCP) in CPR PD 51ZB so that specified non-monetary claims-termed ‘Other Remedy Claims’-can be lodged online alongside a principal damages claim, provided both sides have legal representation, rather than relying on paper filing. It further includes within scope disputes concerning unfair relationships under the Consumer Credit Act 2006, extending the update’s application. This reform shifts matters presently dealt with on paper into a digital workflow to enhance efficiency, aligning connected remedies with the same online route as the main damages claim. The amendments take effect on 27 May 2026. The additional category spans three remedies: injunctions, declarations and rescission. Sources: The 195th Practice Direction Update 195th UPDATE – PRACTICE DIRECTION...
In this issue: Key R&I law developments Corporate insolvency processes Personal insolvency Directors and insolvency Insolvency litigation Property insolvency R&I in Scotland Industry/sector guides for R&I lawyers Corporate Rescue and Insolvency (April 2026) Daily and weekly news alerts Key dates for restructuring and insolvency professionals New content Key R&I law developments Lord Sales on assimilated law On 13 April in Oxford, the Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Lord Sales, delivered a talk on the idea, standing and constitutional role of assimilated law in the post‑Brexit settlement. Placing assimilated law within its historical and constitutional frame, he explored possible hurdles for a purposive reading of assimilated measures, and discussed the interpretative weight of case law on assimilated provisions. He also examined how assimilated law may unsettle the sensitive balance between primary and delegated...
Only a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP) can advise and take appointments in all formal insolvency procedures. The official receiver (OR) and some receivers/managers need not be licensed IPs. To practise as an IP, candidates must pass Joint Insolvency Examination Board papers or hold an equivalent qualification from another accounting regulatory body, and then meet the authorising body’s insolvency experience criteria. For more on eligibility to act as an IP and court sanction in public interest cases, see Practice Notes:
IPs are overseen and inspected by a recognised professional body (RPB): the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Insolvency Practitioners’ Association (IPA), or the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. From 1 June 2025, at its request, recognition of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland as an RPB was revoked. Although these RPBs licence, regulate and discipline members, the Insolvency Service...
The role and functions of a liquidator A liquidator must be a licensed insolvency practitioner, authorised by a recognised professional body, and must hold appropriate authorisation. Put simply, the liquidator’s role is to safeguard the company’s assets, ensure they are realised into value, and distribute the proceeds to the company’s creditors and, where any balance remains, to the company’s contributories. The liquidator must carry out this role strictly in line with the duties imposed and powers conferred by the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986) and the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (IR 2016), SI 2016/1024. Liquidators owe a duty to promote the interests of creditors and contributories generally, as a whole, and are required to exercise a high level of care and skill. They must at all times act impartially and independently. A liquidator acts as the company’s agent, albeit in a way that differs from a typical agency, as the agent both directs the principal and acts on its behalf. The liquidator does not step into the company’s shoes, and the company’s assets do not vest in them—unlike a trustee in bankruptcy—see Re Regent Finance & Guarantee [1930] WN 84–85 (not reported by LexisNexis®). This reflects the distinct nature of the office...
When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...