Insolvency Information Update – 27 March 2020

In these unusual times, Hardwicke is open for business as usual and here to help you and your clients with the multiple issues that may arise out of the current economic conditions.  This information update is to help keep you up to date with developments and to share our insight in response to the developments our country is going through at this unprecedented time.

We will be providing regular information to keep you up to date.  This update covers:

• An update from the Insolvency and Companies Court on their current operations:“All hearings are adjourned generally with liberty to restore on an urgent basis. If your matter is urgent please e-mail ICL.Hearings1@justice.gov.ukwith your case details, reason for urgency, time estimate for reading and hearing along with essential documents for the judge’s consideration at the hearing. You will also need to provide the Court with all parties e-mail addresses so that a Skype hearing can be arranged. If skype is not possible, for example litigants in person do not often have skype, a telephone hearing can be set up. It is the responsibility of parties to arrange this with their telephone provider (i.e. BT). Once the telephone hearing has been arranged (after agreeing the date and time for hearing with the court) the dial in number should be provided so that this can be passed on to the judge assigned to the hearing. Please note that the judges preferred use for a remote hearing is by way of skype so this should be used where possible. Please also note that this information may changeBankruptcy and Winding Up Petition information will be published on the cause lists for the given days, but at present no hearings are taking place unless urgent, and all hearings are being conducted by way of Skype or where that isn’t possible by way of telephone. Thank you for your understanding and patience.”
• A couple of articles you may find helpful:
  • • The Adjournment of today’s winding up list
    • Is it possible to take a statutory declaration by Skype video or similar technology?

To protect the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and clients we are operating on a remote working basis until further notice.  We are open for business as usual, just from different locations!  Our business opening hours are 9.00am-6.00pm, and our switchboard (020 7242 2523) will be monitored during that time in the normal way.

We have a range of technology and infrastructure options in place to ensure a smooth service, and we will be able to provide telephone and video conferencing options for meetings and hearings.  We are also in regular contact with the courts and can assist with any logistics in dealing with virtual and telephone court hearings during this time.

Please contact our practice management team for further information.