This one‑hour live webinar provides a comprehensive and practical exploration of Winding‑Up Petitions as a strategic debt recovery tool for creditors operating within England and Wales.

The session examines the key statutory framework underpinning compulsory liquidation, including the Insolvency Act 1986, Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, and relevant procedural requirements of the Companies Court.

Delegates will gain clarity on essential timelines, including statutory demand periods, petition filing dates, advertisement obligations, and hearing milestones. The webinar explains core terminology such as “inability to pay debts,” “just and equitable grounds,” “validation orders,” and “official receiver involvement,” ensuring attendees understand both the legal mechanics and commercial implications.

The session will define what a winding‑up petition is, when it should be deployed, and how it differs from conventional debt recovery methods. Crucially, it will highlight why this remedy is often the most effective enforcement tool for high‑value or persistently unpaid debts, offering a powerful hook for practitioners seeking decisive outcomes.

Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of risks, tactical considerations, and best‑practice guidance for 2026 and beyond.

Who this is for:

The webinar is aimed at solicitors, in‑house counsel, credit controllers, insolvency practitioners, and commercial finance professionals

Top 3 facts from the webinar:

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.

Level of expertise:

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

CPD hours:

This webinar provides you with 1 hour of learning.

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

Learning objectives:

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.