Live Webinar: Winding-Up Petitions as a Debt Recovery Tool

The session will combine theory and worked examples, so that both junior practitioners and experienced debt-recovery solicitors walk away with actionable guidance on making or resisting freezing orders in the current regulatory environment.

All Levels – this can be picked up throughout anyones professional career regardless of experience

• Understand statutory foundations — Delegates will gain a detailed understanding of the legislative framework governing winding‑up petitions, including the Insolvency Act 1986, Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, and Companies Court procedural requirements.
• Identify when a company is “unable to pay its debts” — Attendees will learn the legal tests under sections 122 and 123 of the Insolvency Act, including statutory demands, balance‑sheet insolvency, and cash‑flow insolvency.
• Assess strategic use of winding‑up petitions — Delegates will understand when petitions are an appropriate and proportionate debt recovery tool compared with alternative enforcement methods.
• Navigate key procedural steps — The session will cover petition drafting, filing, service, advertisement in the Gazette, listing for hearing, and post‑order consequences.
• Evaluate risks and safeguards — Attendees will learn about wrongful petitions, abuse of process, disputed debts, injunctions to restrain advertisement, and potential cost consequences.
• Understand creditor priorities and outcomes — Delegates will explore how compulsory liquidation affects creditor ranking, asset realisation, and dividend prospects.
• Analyse debtor responses — The webinar will explain common debtor strategies, including payment proposals, security offers, applications to strike out, or seeking validation orders.

1. Winding‑up petitions are one of the most powerful debt‑recovery tools available to creditors.

They immediately place the debtor company under the scrutiny of the court, restrict asset movement, and compel urgent engagement. Once a petition is presented, any disposition of company property is void unless validated, giving creditors significant leverage.

2. A petition will only succeed where the debt is undisputed, due, and payable.

The court will not allow winding‑up to be used as a pressure tactic. If the debtor raises a genuine and substantial dispute or a credible cross‑claim, the petition may be dismissed or restrained. Understanding the “genuinely disputed debt” test is essential before escalating.

3. Timing, procedure, and compliance are critical to avoid dismissal or cost consequences.

Strict rules govern statutory demands, petition drafting, service, Gazette advertisement, and hearing conduct. Errors can invalidate the petition or expose the creditor to adverse costs. When executed correctly, however, petitions remain the most decisive enforcement method for high‑value or persistent commercial debts.

This live webinar contains a 45-minute presentation from Krystene Bousfield, a 15-minute Q&A session where you can ask any questions you'd like directly to Krystene. You can download your own copy of the presentation and resources to refer to during and after the live webinar.

You will be able to actively listen to the course and ask questions to the speaker.

The live webinar begins at 10:00.

The £69 +VAT price includes:

• 45-minutes of topical content
• 15-minute interactive Q&A
• Comprehensive lecture notes
• Digital CPD certificate

Of course. To book multiple delegates, increase the amount of tickets you wish to buy and add them to your basket. Once your payment has been processed, you will then be asked to assign the tickets to the delegates attending. Each delegate will then receive an email with instructions on how to finalise their booking

For group booking discounts please get in touch with us on team@formediagroup.co.uk.

You can now pay by invoice directly through our website.

1. Add your event tickets to your basket.
2. Click “Checkout.”
3. Select Pay by Invoice.
4. Enter your details and receive your invoice instantly by email (you can also view it on screen).

This live webinar provides you with 1 hour of learning.

Attendees will receive a CPD certificate upon completion of this course.