Insolvency Practitioner Legal Services
Recovery claims, antecedent transactions, misfeasance and asset recovery for administrators, liquidators, supervisors and trustees.
Enquire NowJonathan Lea Network supports administrators, liquidators, supervisors and trustees with investigations, recovery claims, pre-action correspondence, settlement strategy and litigation. We advise on transactions at an undervalue, preferences, transactions defrauding creditors, misfeasance and breach of duty, overdrawn loan accounts, unlawful dividends, challenges to security, and the recovery and tracing of company property. We also advise on the assignment of claims and act for assignees.
A clear view on merits and cost before the work starts
Office holders instruct solicitors for two reasons: to get a result on a claim, and to get it without having to run the file themselves.
Both matter. A claim that costs more to pursue than it recovers helps nobody, and neither does a solicitor who has to be chased before every report to creditors.
Our approach is to front-load the assessment. You get a considered view on whether a claim is worth running before it is worked up, not after the costs have been incurred.
What we handle
- transactions at an undervalue, preferences and transactions defrauding creditors
- misfeasance and breach of duty claims against directors
- wrongful and fraudulent trading allegations
- overdrawn director’s loan accounts and unlawful dividends
- recovery of company property, tracing and proprietary claims
- claims against third parties, including knowing receipt and dishonest assistance
- challenges to security and to the validity of charges
- applications for the delivery up of books and records, and for the examination of directors and third parties
- retention of title and unpaid supplier disputes
- assignment of claims, acting for office holders selling and for buyers taking
- enforcement of judgments
How we run a recovery claim
| Stage | What happens | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Initial review, fixed fee | We work through the books and records, the bank analysis and the transaction documents. | A written view on merits, quantum, realistic recovery and likely cost. Where the claim is not worth running, you get that answer here rather than six months in. |
| Funding | We set out the realistic options: estate funding, a conditional fee arrangement, after the event insurance, third party funding or assignment. | A funding route agreed before the work is done, chosen to fit the estate and the claim rather than our preference. |
| Pre-action | Letter before action under the relevant protocol, with the evidence assembled behind it. | A claim that is worth settling, presented so that the other side can see the costs position for themselves. |
| Proceedings and settlement | A decision point before issue, then active management with settlement pressed at every stage where it beats the discounted value of the claim. | Strategic advice at each procedural step, and a straight answer when settlement is not the right move. |
| Reporting | A short update at each material step. | Written so that it can go into a report to creditors without being rewritten. |
Assigned claims
Claims arising under the antecedent transaction provisions can be assigned, and a developed market now buys them. We advise on the terms of assignment and act on both sides of that market.
Manolete Partners Plc v Smith [2026] EWHC 1046 (Ch), a claim brought by the assignee of an administration estate, is a useful illustration of a properly prepared antecedent transaction claim taken to trial.
Working with your firm
We are proportionate by instinct. Some matters need urgent applications and contested hearings. Many are better resolved through robust correspondence, careful evidence gathering and a negotiated outcome, and we will say which is which rather than default to proceedings.
We work alongside forensic accountants, asset tracing specialists and overseas advisers where a claim needs them, and we are comfortable being one part of a team rather than running everything ourselves.
Where you need to refer a director or a company to solicitors for advice before an appointment, we act on that side too, subject to the obvious conflict checks.
How we can help
Send us the papers and tell us what you are trying to achieve and by when. We will come back with a view on whether the claim is worth running, what it is likely to recover and what it will cost to find out.
FAQs: Insolvency Practitioner Legal Services
Yes. The fixed-fee initial review exists for exactly that purpose, and it includes telling you when the answer is that the claim should not be pursued. We will discuss the realistic funding options at the outset, including conditional fee arrangements, after the event insurance, third party funding and assignment, and advise on which suits the estate and the claim. We do, on other matters. We will not act against a client, and we run conflict checks before taking anything on. Yes, including applications for delivery up of records, examinations, and freezing and other interim relief where assets are at risk.
Send us the file and we will tell you whether it is worth running
A fixed-fee initial review gives you merits, quantum, recovery prospects and cost in writing, in a form you can put in front of creditors.
Contact Us
We provide most enquiries with an indicative scope of work and fee estimate, based on the information you share. We aim to respond within one working day.
In the same email, you will be invited to arrange a 20-minute complimentary, no-obligation video consultation, should the proposed scope of work and fee estimate be of interest. This initial discussion is designed to help us better understand your requirements, refine the scope of work and ensure our approach is fully aligned with your objectives.Following the call, we will email you a definitive, formal fee estimate for you to consider and approve.
Where you would prefer to receive initial advice and guidance from the outset, or where a short introductory call would not be the most appropriate starting point, we may instead recommend a 2.5-hour fixed-fee appointment, starting from £750 + VAT. This enables us to review the information you provide, discuss your situation with you and provide considered, tailored advice at an early stage.
To make an enquiry, please email us at wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net, complete our contact form, or call us on 01444 708640.
Our Restructuring & Insolvency Services
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Request a Free
No Obligation
20 Minute Call
This introductory call is to discuss your matter so we can provide a well-considered quote.
However, please be aware that the free 20 minute call is at our discretion. If you are more looking for advice and guidance on an initial call, we may instead offer a one-hour fixed fee appointment instead.
Our fixed fee appointments are between £250 plus VAT to £350 plus VAT* depending on the complexity of the issues and seniority of solicitor taking the call