Chambers & Partners 2008
Insolvency




Guildford

The Guildford-based team is going from strength to strength, and is predicted to enjoy a further increase in work with the opening of new offices in the Oxford and Cambridge areas. Its ability to deal with administrations involving large property estates was demonstrated once again when the team advised Oxford Hotels in the purchase of 150 premises from the insolvent Swallow Hotels group. However, the group's real forte is for contentious insolvencies, with much of the work driven by a strong client roster of IPs. As a member of the Association of European Lawyers, the group is active in cross-border insolvencies and in cases with an international element. This has been illustrated by the team's ongoing work for the liquidators of Invaro and its associated companies, a business that has drawn in creditors and debtors based both in the UK and Japan. Market sources are impressed by the group's level of growth over the past year and clients appreciate the lawyers' "top-notch advice."

"Sensible yet energetic" James Hyne deals principally with contentious corporate insolvency matters and is known as the "engine of the team that has really driven the practice forward." He regularly contributes in seminars and conferences involving clients from the factoring and discounting sectors, and is a highly visible presence in the marketplace.

Clients/Work Highlights: The lawyers continue to advise the company voluntary arrangement supervisors and New Zealand-based former parent company of electrical retailer PRG Group in proceedings brought by the company's landlords.