Restructuring/Insolvency
UK Guide 2025 : Northern Ireland
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(028) 9031 4466About
Provided by A&L Goodbody
A&L Goodbody’s Restructuring and Insolvency team in Belfast has unrivalled experience and expertise in the market. Our extensive and dedicated team has acted as lead advisor on the most significant, high profile and challenging restructurings across the island of Ireland. Our combined Belfast and Dublin team works closely with other specialists in both the Belfast and Dublin offices, demonstrating expertise in commercial law, commercial litigation, property and banking & financial services to provide effective solutions and advice in all insolvency and corporate recovery situations.
We advise domestic and international stakeholders including insolvency practitioners, banks, creditors/bondholders, funds, directors, shareholders and purchasers of distressed businesses. We have particular in-depth understanding of the issues arising in cross-border insolvencies.
Our services and experience includes advising on:
- Debt restructuring and rescheduling
- Insolvency-related litigation
- All forms of corporate insolvency processes
- Advising directors, shareholders and creditors
- Distressed business sales and acquisitions
- Contingency planning and enforcement work
- Formal insolvency proceedings
Chambers Review
A&L Goodbody has a leading team with a superb grip on the insolvency market in Northern Ireland, renowned for its impressive track record of advising household-name corporates and accountancy firms on both contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm demonstrates impressive skills in areas such as administrations, restructurings and company voluntary arrangements, including proposals seeking the outright termination of commercial property leases. It offers expertise in the retail, hospitality and maritime sectors.
Work Highlights
- A&L Goodbody acted for FRP Advisory Trading in its role as administrator of the Chain Reaction/Wiggle Group.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"A&L Goodbody's sector knowledge and experience with difficult, bespoke and unusual insolvency matters is exceptional. They are quick to grasp the issues and provide commercial, practical advice."
"The firm's technical knowledge is of a high standard and they can easily deal with complex issues. The team is very strong and regarded as the best legal restructuring team in Northern Ireland."
"A&L Goodbody has a blend of skills and experience across a diverse team with a range of qualifications and backgrounds. They are able to translate complex areas into layman's terms."
"A&L Goodbody's sector knowledge and experience with difficult, bespoke and unusual insolvency matters is exceptional. They are quick to grasp the issues and provide commercial, practical advice."
"The firm's technical knowledge is of a high standard and they can easily deal with complex issues. The team is very strong and regarded as the best legal restructuring team in Northern Ireland."
"A&L Goodbody has a blend of skills and experience across a diverse team with a range of qualifications and backgrounds. They are able to translate complex areas into layman's terms."
Notable Practitioners
Michael Neill is managing partner of A&L Goodbody's Belfast office as well as its head of restructuring. He advises banks and insolvency practitioners on high-profile administrations and restructuring mandates.
"Michael is a high-calibre individual. His negotiation skills are clear, concise and helpful. He is affable and easy to work with."
Sam Corbett is head of the restructuring and insolvency department at A&L Goodbody, and is active in representing clients in corporate insolvencies, receiverships, administrations and liquidations.
"Sam is an excellent adviser and one of the most trusted in Belfast. He is incredibly technical and is able to think and advise commercially."
"Sam's experience of the technicalities of restructuring and insolvency, combined with his client's preferred approaches, leads to an exceptional level of service and sophistication."
"Sam utilises his connections across Northern Ireland and his commerciality to add value to projects. He makes time to engage and deliver to a high quality."
Chris Coulter is a highly regarded associate active in assisting with complex restructuring and insolvency matters including administrations and receiverships.
"Chris is a rising star with an encyclopedic knowledge of insolvency and a strong commercial understanding."
"Chris is one of the brightest up-and-coming solicitors in the Northern Ireland insolvency market. He is keen, responsive and extremely hard-working."
"Chris is an exceptional talent who combines technical ability with commercial application."
Ranked Lawyers at
A&L Goodbody
Northern Ireland
Members
Provided by A&L Goodbody
Head of Department
Tanya Surgeon
Áine Hughes
Clients
Provided by A&L Goodbody
Alix Partners
Bank of Ireland UK plc
Deloitte UK
Duff & Phelps
Ernst & Young LLP
FRP Advisory Limited
Grant Thornton
HNH Group
Northern Bank Ltd trading as Danske Bank
Ulster Bank Limited
Industries
Provided by A&L Goodbody
Banks
Commercial & Professional Services
Financial Services
Government
Insurance
Mining & Metals
Real Estate
Real Estate Finance