Insolvency and corporate recovery

Howes Percival LLP

The insolvency practice at Howes Percival LLP 'always delivers the right balance of senior level input and supervision', and its 'experience of large, high-profile insolvency litigation for the government is unparalleled'. Head of insolvency and corporate recovery Michael Green in Cambridge and Norwich-based Morris Peacock, who 'commands the complete confidence' and leads the firm's work for the Insolvency Service, are the principal contacts. Green recently assisted Mazars LLP with the bankruptcy of a former Times Rich List entrant with a reputed wealth of over £42m. In Norwich, William Shirley and senior associates Leon Head and the 'firm but friendly' Patrick Manning all play key roles in the practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Morris Peacock - Hugely experienced lawyer who has excellent insolvency expertise and is particularly adept at handling large litigation for government clients. He commands the complete confidence of the client in difficult, high profile cases.'
'William Shirley - Excellent understanding of insolvency law and procedures and a very good draftsman. He is able to give very commercial advice and is particularly experienced in liquidator actions.'
'Patrick Manning - very experienced trial lawyer. Excellent skills in running litigation that is tactically complex and paper heavy.’
‘Morris Peacock is an expert practitioner and can be relied upon for thorough and well-considered advice. He is practical, hard working and conscientious and, no matter what is required, Morris will do what is necessary to complete the task. He is personable and a very safe pair of hands. I would not hesitate to recommend him and his team in this area of work.’
‘William Shirley is very user-friendly and keeps the team in check. Patrick Manning is exceptional in his manner with respondents - firm but friendly to achieve realistic outcomes Leon Head is very responsive and technically able. Phillippa Summerlee is calm, efficient and organised, moving cases along with politeness and skill. they are a real 'go to' favourite team.’
‘The team are always quick and diligent in responding, providing advice and updating clients regularly.’
‘Michael Green and Leon Head are diligent, provide sound advice setting out all available options enabling decisions to be made with clear justification. They always make time to deal with urgent matters.’
‘Michael Green is an exceptional lawyer.’

Key clients

The Insolvency Service
Mazars LLP
MacIntyre Hudson (Baker Tilly Group)
Peter Elsworthy & Moore Limited t/a PEM
BDO UK LLP
The Official Receiver for England and Wales
Manolete
FRP Advisory
Henderson & Jones
McTear Williams & Wood
PKF Smith Cooper
Edge Recovery

Work highlights

Acting for the successful liquidators in pursuing a former director for misfeasance, wrongful trading and transactions at undervalue in the reported case of Liquidators of Safe Depot Ltd –v- Mr Sabir Esa and Stone Key Ltd.
Acting for the Secretary of State in relation to the BHS collapse and pursuit of errant directors, actions for misfeasance and disqualification proceedings.
Acting for trustees in bankruptcy of multi-million pound bankruptcy involving overseas assets, unwinding transactions of airline; tracing of properties; orders for this party IT system searches and multiple actions to trace assets.