Department profile
Stephenson Harwood LLP

Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Stephenson Harwood LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP

Our global restructuring and insolvency team is a multi-jurisdictional team of lawyers who advise a wide array of stakeholders on all issues arising in connection with financial distress.

We act for companies, banks, funds, other financial institutions, office holders, indenture trustees, pension trustees, directors and individuals dealing with the consequences of financial distress.

We are consistently recognised as experts in our field by the legal directories. Our vast experience in all types of corporate restructuring and insolvency, coupled with a deep understanding of the needs of clients in this area, means that we are able to craft practical, commercial and cost effective solutions.

Our lawyers' extensive cross-border experience means that we are able to find solutions which best protect our clients' interests, whether through optimal use of the legal frameworks which exist to facilitate cross border restructurings, or by identifying those jurisdictions and laws that are best suited to our clients' needs.

Our work covers all sectors – and encompasses domestic and international debt restructurings, schemes of arrangement, CVAs, administrations (including pre-packs), refinancings, workouts and turnaround strategies, debt for equity swaps, distressed M&A, distressed investing, loan to own strategies, receiverships, liquidations, personal bankruptcy, insolvency litigation and investigations, and fraud and asset tracing.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency - UK-wide

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For
Stephenson Harwood enjoys a substantial personal insolvency practice. It is known for its work with banks and major accountancy firms on high-value contentious matters and cross-border asset tracing in relation to wealthy debtors. The team also handles cases with a fraud element and has notable expertise in handling sport-related insolvencies.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Stephenson Harwood was instructed by KPMG and David Costley-Wood to defend claims totalling £1.4 billion brought against them by Bashar Bin Mahmood.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are extremely attentive to client relationships as well as the relationship with a referring counsel.

    Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency respondentUK
  • Stephenson Harwood are technically competent and capable of dealing with complex disputes.

    Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Julian Cahn
    Band 1Julian Cahn

    Julian Cahn

    Julian Cahn is noted for his strong contentious practice and is experienced in acting for creditors, debtors and insolvency practitioners. He is well placed to act on large bankruptcies, including those with elements of asset tracing and fraud.
    • Julian is so switched on and technically very good. He sees where you need to get to.

      Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency respondentUK
    • Julian Cahn is very easy to deal with, user-friendly and commercial.

      Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Stephenson Harwood LLP (1)

UK-wide

  • Profile image of Julian Cahn

    Julian Cahn

    Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency

    View profile

Members

Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP

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