Time To Pay Arrangements Can Do More Harm Than Good

According to the most recent figures available, around 200,000 businesses have entered Time To Pay (TTP) agreements with the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the past 18 months, deferring over £5bn in taxes.   TTP arrangements allow businesses that are unable to pay taxes on their due dates to make monthly payment over a period…

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Miss Sixty Judge Calls for Improved Insolvency Practitioner Regulation

In July, I suggested there should be an urgent review of how insolvency practitioners (IPs) are regulated and following a high-profile complaint by a judge it has become evident there are many others who share this opinion. Earlier this month, during an appeal against a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) for Sixty UK – owners of…

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Portsmouth Defeat HMRC in Landmark Legal Case

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, the reason most football clubs are facing financial difficulties is simple: their expenses exceed their income. Portsmouth FC are no exception and currently facing an uphill struggle to remain solvent. However, their battle became a little easier earlier this month after a high court judge rejected claims by…

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Rise in businesses surviving the recession? Load of rubbish!

The British Government is perhaps one of the biggest costs to UK plc. During the 2007 bank bailout, Her Majesty’s Treasury turned the banks’ private debt into a public liability. Suddenly, billions of pounds went from private to public ownership as the banks’ debt was transferred into the Government’s account. The Treasury is owned by…

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What is an Insolvency Practitioner?

An insolvency practitioner (IP) has several roles and under the Insolvency Act 1986 can act as a liquidator, administrator, nominee and supervisor in matters relating to bankruptcy. They are authorised by the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) or one of the other bodies recognised under the Insolvency Act.…

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How Do You Issue a Winding Up Petition?

A Winding Up Petition (WUP) is the most serious action that can be taken against a company and usually is only issued if a creditor is determined to recover an undisputed debt or put the company out of business because the debtor company is believed to be insolvent. The creditor will issue a statutory demand,…

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JJB Sports Complete Company Voluntary Arrangement

JJB Sports owners are ‘delighted’ to have concluded their company voluntary arrangement (CVA) last month. The sports equipment retailer entered into a CVA with creditors and shareholders in May 2009 to avoid collapse. But what is a CVA? Companies apply for CVAs when they’re overwhelmed by debt liability and, as a result, unable to trade.…

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To Sell or Not to Sell: When is a Good Time to Cash In on Your Assets?

If you’ve been served with a winding up petition, selling your assets should be seriously considered as a viable option to help save your business. In fact, if selling your assets is an option, the sooner you do so the better and preferably before a winding up petition have been presented against your company. If…

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Premiership Football is a Rich Man’s Sport

Despite the popularity of football in England and the huge sums the sport generates, several well established clubs are facing liquidation just days before the 2010/2011 season is due to commence.   The reason Portsmouth FC, Cardiff City and Southend United are all on the verge of bankruptcy is simple: these clubs’ expenses exceed their…

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Cardiff City Are Latest Victims of Premier League Financial Woes

Executives at Cardiff City have revealed they were unable to pay players’ wages last month due to financial difficulties. It is expected the players will be paid this week, but make no mistake, the dangers facing a company that fails to pay staff wages should not be underestimated. Cardiff City escaped a winding-up petition at…

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