Help with Business Insolvency and Liquidation.

Why Legal Support Matters for Business Insolvency

When a business struggles to pay its debts, the pressure can be immense. Directors face tough decisions, tight timeframes, and the risk of personal liability. Getting legal advice early helps you understand your options, protect your position, and act with confidence.

We help business owners, directors, and creditors manage financial distress with clear, practical advice. Our goal is to find realistic solutions that protect both personal and commercial interests.

Why Early Advice Makes a Difference

Financial challenges rarely improve by waiting. Early legal input can protect you from personal risk and help stabilise your business. We help you:

• Understand your duties as a director under the Companies Act 1993

• Assess whether restructuring, voluntary administration, or liquidation is appropriate

• Preserve parts of your business through sale or reorganisation

• Avoid unnecessary court proceedings or enforcement action

Early action gives you options and time to make informed, strategic decisions.

What We Can Help With

Our insolvency lawyers advise on all aspects of financial distress and recovery, including:

• Voluntary administration and business restructuring

• Receivership and secured creditor rights

• Liquidation and winding up

• Director duties and risk management

• Debt recovery and responding to creditor claims

We explain your legal obligations under the Companies Act and Insolvency Act in plain English, so you can take confident, timely steps forward.

Tailored Advice for Your Situation

No two businesses face the same pressures. We tailor our advice to your industry, financial circumstances, and long-term goals. Our focus is on practical, commercially workable solutions that help you move forward with clarity and control.

Where We Work

Our insolvency and restructuring lawyers are based in Wellington, with support available through our Lower Hutt and Masterton offices. We assist clients nationwide, providing advice remotely or in person wherever you are in New Zealand.

Questions We Often Get Asked About Business Insolvency

What should I do if my company cannot pay its debts?

If your company cannot meet its payment obligations, it may be insolvent under the Companies Act 1993. Directors must not allow a company to trade while insolvent. Acting quickly helps you assess options such as restructuring, voluntary administration, or liquidation before personal liability becomes a risk.

What are my duties as a director during financial difficulty?

Directors must act in good faith, avoid taking on new debts that cannot be repaid, and consider the interests of creditors. These obligations are legal and enforceable. We help directors understand these duties and comply in practice.

What is voluntary administration?

Voluntary administration is a process where an independent administrator takes control of a company to assess its position and propose a plan to creditors. It can provide breathing space to restructure or reach an agreement while preserving business value.

What happens in a liquidation?

Liquidation is the formal process of closing a company that cannot pay its debts. A liquidator takes control, sells assets, and distributes funds to creditors in legal order. We guide you through each stage so you understand what to expect and how to protect your position.

Can a business recover after insolvency?

Sometimes yes. If financial issues are addressed early, it may be possible to restructure, negotiate repayment terms, or sell parts of the business to preserve value. We help you explore recovery options before liquidation becomes necessary.