A Practical Guide to Contested Bankruptcy Petitions

This, the inaugural edition of ‘A Practical Guide To Contested Bankruptcy Petitions’ provides detailed and practically focused commentary and guidance in relation to contested bankruptcy petitions. It is aimed at legal practitioners and insolvency practitioners and contains in-depth analysis of matters ranging from locus standi to costs. An entire chapter is devoted to the various (non-exhaustive) ways in which a petition may be disputed, ranging from guarantees to debts in respect of a local authority. Analysis and commentary is also provided on more discrete issues such as jurisdiction, death (including insolvent administration orders) and incapacity, as well as the impact of The Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. With practitioners in mind, there are also chapters devoted to procedure and costs as well as coverage of technical points. Analysis, commentary and guidance is given in this book on, inter alia:

• Disputing a bankruptcy petition;
• Insolvent Administration Orders;
• The Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020;
• Jurisdiction;
• Procedure;
• Costs;
• and Technical Points.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Stefan Ramel is a leading barrister specialising in commercial and insolvency work. He is top-ranked in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 for his insolvency work. He has appeared in numerous reported insolvency cases, including in relation to contested bankruptcy petitions. He is on the Attorney-General’s Civil Panel of Counsel
(A Panel; Regional) and sits part-time as a Recorder on the Western Circuit.

Govinder Chambay is a specialist insolvency practitioner who undertakes litigation and advisory work in all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency law. He was called to the bar in 2018 and is developing a substantial insolvency practice. Govinder has been recognised as a rising star in the 2025 and 2026 Legal 500 and as ‘Up and Coming’ in Chambers and Partners 2026. Alongside his wide-ranging insolvency practice, he has appeared in numerous cases concerning bankruptcy petitions acting for both creditors and debtors.

CONTENTS

Chapter One – Introduction
Chapter Two – Why Present a Bankruptcy Petition?
Chapter Three – Jurisdiction
Chapter Four – Disputing a Bankruptcy Petition
Chapter Five – Incapacity
Chapter Six – Insolvent Administration Orders
Chapter Seven – Procedure
Chapter Eight – Technical Points
Chapter Nine – Costs