Personal Insolvency
We have an established and stable team, in an insolvency market which has seen many personnel changes in the westcountry. The expertise of Stephen Lawson and Gillian Smith is recognised throughout the south west and nationally.
The team undertakes the complete range of insolvency cases and focuses on maintaining a close relationship with IP clients and the Insolvency Service. We understand the pressures and constraints under which IP’s and other professionals are working and therefore we respond quickly with a “can do” approach.
Stephen Lawson is author of the definitive work “Individual Voluntary Arrangements” and has a national reputation as a writer and lecturer in the insolvency field. He is also a Deputy High Court Bankruptcy Registrar.
Recent examples of the team’s work include:
- Bankruptcy
- Human Rights Issues
- Tracing assets into family trusts
- Defended income payment applications
- Application claiming after acquired assets
- Individual Voluntary arrangements
- IVA’s for partners in professions
- Advice on termination and variation
- Cross border issues
- Administration
- Football club administration
- Receivership
- Brumark issues
- Construction dispute
- Liquidations
- Application to European Court of Human Rights
- Pension fund issues
- Conversion from MVL to CVA
- Director’s disqualification
The firm: This “brilliantly responsive team” deserves its well-earned place in the rankings, claim sources, because “commensurate with experience and rates of success, it offers the best value for money in the market.” Much acclaim is lavished on the department’s national reputation in dealing with individual voluntary arrangements and contentious personal insolvency cases Chambers 2008
Led by Gillian Smith, Foot Anstey’s insolvency practice “remains the dominant force Legal 500 2007
The lawyers: Gillian Smith has “never failed to deliver,” according to commentators, and “ticks all the boxes.” Stephen Lawson is also a licensed insolvency practitioner and widely thought of as an “absolute source of authority” on individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) and general insolvency law. He is “the top man - the doyen in his field,” remarks one impressed source. The firm has added young blood to the team with the arrival of Sacha Pickering … who has impressed with his “competent and comprehensive” insolvency understanding. Chambers 2008
For initial advice, please contact:
- Gillian Smith on 01392 685305
- Stephen Lawson on 01392 685300
- Julian Trahair on 01752 675165






