Facing financial struggles is tough, especially if it looks like a possibility of bankruptcy. Be it personal debt or a business that needs guidance, finding the right solicitor can make a difference.
Consulting with a lawyer isn’t really a bad thing, especially if your goal is to settle your debts and have a fresh start. Bankruptcy law is complex, and you need a legal professional to help you.
With this in mind, we gathered our team and did some digging to find the best bankruptcy lawyers in London. Here are the most reliable firms and solicitors who can help you manage this tough phase of your business.
How much do bankruptcy lawyers charge?
Bankruptcy lawyers charge from £1,600 to £5,000, depending on the case. The fees can increase if your debt is higher than £100,000. The final amount is the combination of the solicitor’s fee plus VAT.
How we chose
- Expertise in bankruptcy law: We reviewed law firms based on their years of experience in handling insolvency, debt recovery, and finance restructuring for businesses.
- Debt negotiation experience: We selected bankruptcy lawyers with experience in debt settlement and restructuring to reach a favourable outcome and avoid total bankruptcy as much as possible. We interviewed clients to confirm this.
- Pricing: We focused on solicitors who charge reasonably based on their qualifications and years of experience in bankruptcy law.
- Court representation skills: In case of bankruptcy proceedings, we picked professionals who can negotiate with creditors and trustees in the court.
1. Antony Batty & Co – Insolvency Practitioners, London
Address: Gray’s Inn, 3 Field Court
Contact Details: +442080880633, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Website
Antony Batty & Co is a firm comprised of Insolvency Practitioners (IPs). They have an office in London and four other locations, expanding their legal support to businesses that need legal support.
They offer company turnaround, closing, and insolvency. One client praised Nitin for helping him overcome his fear and embarrassment as he closed down his company after 20 years of operation.
Another said the firm was a trusted and efficient liquidator in what was otherwise an unimaginable situation.
The great thing about the company is that they don’t always resort to bankruptcy. If your business can still be saved and avoid insolvency, they’ll recommend either Company Administration or CVA.
A business owner said that Hugh and John helped them place their company into a Company Voluntary Arrangement in 2018, which saved their business from being wound up.
The firm charges per hour and starts from £375, which is reasonable given the fact that licensed insolvency practitioners and partners handle each case.
However, there is only a limited number of practitioners in this firm, which could affect their availability.
Professional and caring
“Very professional, comprehensive guidance to resolve a situation for a family friend who is struggling with a business insolvency situation. James Stares’s approach and clear, detailed information were so helpful to steer through processes that seem complex to a lay person. This was just an initial call and no charge! I would highly recommend this firm and James. Clearly, client care and professionalism are a high priority!”
-Ms. Mina Searles, Google Review
“We received assistance from Antony Batty & Co for closing a branch in the UK. Overall good experience. Very professional. I recommend.”
-Mr. Philippe Ducarroz, Google Review
2. Summit Law LLP
Address: 44 Southampton Buildings
Contact Details: +442074673980, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Website
Summit Law LLP stood out for their multilingual team and ability to work across borders. They support both UK and international clients with business recovery, insolvency, and dispute resolution.
Clients generally appreciate the firm’s supportive and pragmatic approach. For example, one client praised his solicitor, Alice, for guiding and providing him with very helpful legal advice during a tough phase of his business.
Another entrepreneur valued how Summit Law handled a non-payment dispute efficiently, protecting their cash flow.
The firm’s experience in handling shareholder disputes is also impressive. A client from Australia said that Sarah of Summit Law helped her pursue a shareholder dispute with strong communication despite the time difference.
Aside from that, they also cater to litigation concerning debt. One client shared that his solicitor, Dan, assisted him with a complex case involving his company’s substantial debt. He appreciated how responsive and accessible Dan was throughout the process.
Just a heads up that if you want to onboard them, make sure to call immediately since they only have 10 solicitors.
Quick to comprehend and diligent
“I was fortunate enough to be represented by Alice Court in a recent case. Alice is exactly who you want on your side in insolvency-related matters; it was abundantly clear from the moment we first spoke on the phone that I had made the correct choice in appointing Summit Law. Alice was able to quickly comprehend my situation and advise on a strategy, cutting through months of ongoing uncertainty and diligently handling a sensitive process with apparent ease.”
-Mr. Tom, Google Review
Amazing to deal with
“I would recommend Summit Law to those with shareholder disputes. Sarah has been amazing to deal with. From her initial contact, establishing the case and ensuring all the facts were relevant and the dispute had merit, through to the very end and the settlement agreement.”
-Ms. Ali Stewart, Google Review
3. Hudson Weir Insolvency Practitioners
Address: 58 Leman St
Contact Details: +442070996086, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Website
Hudson Weir Insolvency Practitioners is an established boutique firm composed of accountants and insolvency professionals. It’s worth mentioning that they have in-house accountants for a more accurate financial assessment.
Talking about their insolvency service, they have 20 years of experience handling such cases. This experience made their solicitors, like Manan, deliver quick and efficient support for a company’s liquidation.
The firm is also experienced in closing a company, which is convenient if you plan to do the same. One client said that stopping the operation of his company is stressful, but he thanked the team for taking care of his finances before closing it.
We also love the team’s cooperation and flexibility. Although they have in-house accountants, they’re still open to cooperating with your accounting team to sort things out.
Another thing we like about Hudson is their free one-hour consultation. This is very helpful for those who want to have an overview of their case before pursuing it.
We’re just disappointed with their communication. We’ve heard a few reports that they can be too slow to respond, especially when they’re busy.
Competent and efficient
“I used Hudson Weir services recently to liquidate my company. It has been the most agréable experience. I dealt primarily with Manan Momaya and his team. Manan showed a high level of professionalism and experience. He is competent, efficient and explained clearly every step to finalise the process.”
-Ms. Randa Zeitouni, Google Review
Very professional
“Hudson Weir has recently liquidated two of my companies. I must say they are very professional, and nothing was too much trouble. I must mention two individuals who stood out to me, firstly Theuns Ehlers, and secondly Manan Momaya. I would not hesitate to recommend Hudson Weir.”
-Mr. Roger Denton, Google Review
4. Surjj Legal Limited
Address: Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Ln
Contact Details: +442033977590
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Website
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Unlike other full-service law firms, Surjj Legal Limited is focused on company and commercial law. This specialisation allows them to closely align with business owners who need to resolve disputes and insolvency issues.
We like the firm’s strong grasp of both insolvency and business financial management. This gives us confidence that they can handle complex commercial matters regardless of the business size.
In fact, a company owner shared that he partnered with Surjj Legal to help his own clients resolve insolvency issues. He also said that he trusts the company when it comes to handling commercial financing.
We also heard that one of their solicitors, Ronnie, is proactive in handling cases, especially in business refinancing. For us, this approach is important as it addresses urgent legal concerns and also anticipates future issues.
For their debt recovery service, they charge from £120 to £300 per hour (plus VAT). This is reasonably priced, but note that there are still potential fees that may arise, like court, barrister, and application fees.
One thing we don’t like here is that they have fewer than ten members, including their paralegals. You can get personalised service, but it could also mean longer response times during peak periods.
Very helpful and supportive
“Ronnie Ilan has been very helpful and supportive when I approached him to deal with my complicated case. He takes his clients’ cases very seriously and tries to help them as much as he can. I strongly recommend his service. Best service received from the solicitor. Thank you”
-Mr. Heeral Ruda, Google Review
Works well
“We have worked with Surjj Legal Limited for many years in respect of our own projects and projects for our clients. These range from consultancy and employment matters to property trust deeds, commercial financing and insolvency matters. They have worked well with both us and our clients, and we have no hesitation in recommending them to our clients.
-Mr. Nik, Google Review
5. Francis Wilks & Jones
Address: 6 Coldbath Square
Contact Details: +442078410390
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Website
Francis Wilks & Jones is an entity serving individuals and businesses. Whether it’s dispute resolution or bankruptcy, they have insolvency practitioners ready to help.
We appreciate Douglas’s personalised approach when helping clients. One said that after calling a few firms, it was only Douglas’ initial response that was the most personal and knowledgeable.
Clients also love how the team turns complex legal terms into an easy-to-understand piece of information. For us, it’s a big plus as it shows that they really want to educate their clients rather than just making money.
The firm is also experienced in handling bankruptcy petitions. A client mentioned that founding partner Tim and senior associate Barry pursued an important bankruptcy petition for him. This proves the firm’s record in resolving bankruptcy cases with ease.
However, despite their strengths, some clients don’t like their communication. Some complained of not getting any callback when they needed it the most, and emails are delayed. For us, this gap is a huge drawback for clients who want timely updates.
Empathetic and knowledgeable
“Douglas and Andrew provided invaluable expertise and support with an insolvency case. It was a very worrying time, and they gave succinct and expert advice in an empathetic manner. Having called a few firms to discuss my case, Douglas’ initial response was by far the most personal and knowledgeable. Others felt like I was just another case on a conveyor belt of cases, concerned more about me signing their terms than having an initial conversation to understand the process. We got the best outcome, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
-Ms. Susan Gregory, Google Review
Excellent support
“After experiencing an unexpected but stressful insolvency allegation, and in light of the highly attentive support from FWJ, I highly recommend their professionalism and responsiveness. Sue Brumby’s team, with Bradley and Khalid in support, are excellent.”
-Mr. Sean Kelleher, Google Review
