header-logo header-logo

Phoenix from the flames

04 February 2010 / Michael Frisby , Oliver Lawson
Issue: 7403 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice
printer mail-detail

What can be salvaged from the wreckage of insolvency? Michael Frisby & Oliver Lawson report

In the current economic environment, more clients are experiencing customer payment default. When a debtor company fails to pay or becomes insolvent, clients want to know what actions they can take to mitigate losses, rather than simply claiming as an unsecured creditor in liquidation. The options available will depend on the circumstances of the case, but it may be possible to recover goods and in certain circumstances directors of the debtor company may be personally liable for the debt.

Where goods have been supplied under a contract containing a retention of title (RoT) clause, an unpaid seller can recover goods in the event of non-payment. 

It is essential to act quickly in pursuing an RoT claim. A written demand should be made to the debtor (or usually the administrator, liquidator or receiver of the debtor) notifying them that you are exercising your right to recover your goods and demanding that they be made available for collection.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

FOIL—Bridget Tatham

FOIL—Bridget Tatham

Forum of Insurance Lawyers elects president for 2026

Gibson Dunn—Robbie Sinclair

Gibson Dunn—Robbie Sinclair

Partner joinslabour and employment practice in London

Muckle LLP—Ella Johnson

Muckle LLP—Ella Johnson

Real estate dispute resolution team welcomes newly qualified solicitor

NEWS
Solicitors are installing panic buttons and thumb print scanners due to ‘systemic and rising’ intimidation including death and arson threats from clients
Ministers’ decision to scrap plans for their Labour manifesto pledge of day one protection from unfair dismissal was entirely predictable, employment lawyers have said
Cryptocurrency is reshaping financial remedy cases, warns Robert Webster of Maguire Family Law in NLJ this week. Digital assets—concealable, volatile and hard to trace—are fuelling suspicions of hidden wealth, yet Form E still lacks a section for crypto-disclosure
NLJ columnist Stephen Gold surveys a flurry of procedural reforms in his latest 'Civil way' column
Paper cyber-incident plans are useless once ransomware strikes, argues Jack Morris of Epiq in NLJ this week
back-to-top-scroll