Restructuring/Insolvency
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 2
Contact number
+44 20 7600 1200About
Provided by Slaughter and May
Any company, no matter how well managed, may experience financial difficulties. Economic downturns, refinancing risk, changing business models, new competitors and unexpected events can all create significant challenges. We have decades of experience of helping our clients navigate these issues, whatever their cause.
We advise on all stages and aspects of financial distress, from contingency planning, distressed investments, capital and corporate restructurings (including by way of scheme of arrangement, company voluntary arrangement and pre-packaged administration sale) and acquisitions and disposals, to formal insolvencies, both contentious and non-contentious.
We are recognised as the leading company-side firm in the market, and have extensive experience of advising the full range of stakeholders, including creditors, bond trustees, private equity firms, hedge funds, insolvency practitioners, central banks and governments.
Chambers Review
Slaughter and May maintains a standout practice which is regarded as a go-to for company-side representation in restructurings and distressed situations. The firm is frequently called upon to advise on complex and high-value restructurings and insolvencies, often with a multi-jurisdictional aspect. Its lawyers possess considerable experience handling government debt and bank restructurings. Slaughter and May also fields strength in creditor-side representations, with additional experience acting for insolvency practitioners.
Work Highlights
- Slaughter and May advised Cineworld on the financial restructuring of its US, UK and Jersey businesses through parallel Chapter 11 cases and a pre-packaged administration.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Slaughter and May have an incredible legal team and are able to navigate difficult boardrooms."
"Slaughter and May have a strong depth and knowledge radiating through the team. The team are very strong and always attentive to their clients' needs."
"The team at Slaughter and May have deep knowledge coupled with a very high work ethic and an exceptionally high service level."
"Slaughter and May have an incredible legal team and are able to navigate difficult boardrooms."
"Slaughter and May have a strong depth and knowledge radiating through the team. The team are very strong and always attentive to their clients' needs."
"The team at Slaughter and May have deep knowledge coupled with a very high work ethic and an exceptionally high service level."
Notable Practitioners
Ian Johnson is head of the restructuring and insolvency group at Slaughter and May, and is noted for his expert handling of high-value, international restructuring and insolvency matters for corporates, funds and directors.
"Ian is an incredible lawyer. He provides pragmatic advice on very complex and technical issues. His art is taking the complex and making it very easy and digestible."
"Ian is excellent - he's a calm hand offering well-judged advice in complex situations."
"Ian Johnson is highly experienced and commercially aware of clients' needs."
Thomas Vickers is an experienced lawyer with notable expertise in restructuring and insolvency. He is sought out for his expertise by well-known corporates and insolvency practitioners.
"Thomas knows a lot about a lot, he is incredibly calm and he's hard-working. He is a charming person who can calmly deal with the most complex situations."
"Thomas makes clients feel supported and part of one overall team."
"Thomas is a strong operator."