Licenced Business Rescue Experts

Helping Directors in Debt

Same Day Advice

For free expert advice, send us a message and we’ll be in touch With a free consultation you will: Find out how to manage creditors

Discover your options

Figure out the best solution for you

Assess whether Liquidation is the best option Your data is secure It’s completely free and you have no obligation

Company Liquidation Quote How much will it cost to liquidate your business? Find out now

Table of Contents

What is Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation?

If your business is financially distressed and facing mounting creditor pressure, it is important that you seek immediate advice. This page will cover specific advice around a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation, also referred to as a CVL.

There are a number of solutions available, depending on your business and its current situation. However, if your business has limited assets and is not considered viable in its current form going forwards, then a CVL may be appropriate.

Back to table of contents

How does the CVL process work?

A CVL is lead by the directors and shareholders of the company, meaning that you will be able to choose the Liquidator that you wish to work with.

CVL enables the business to be wound down and closed properly, with all known creditors consulted by the Insolvency Practitioner before the company enters Liquidation, and throughout the process thereafter.

Once engaged, the proposed Liquidator will notify all creditors of a Decision Date, one that is convened typically 2-4 weeks from engagement. It is on this date that the company formally enters Liquidation; however, this initial notification and engagement with creditors serves to alleviate creditor pressure.

During this period, the proposed Liquidator will extract various information from you, and prepare a report and financial statement of affairs of the company, which is shared with creditors prior to the decision date.

Once appointed, the Liquidator’s role is to realise the company’s assets for the benefit of creditors. If you want to know more about the specific ways in which we look to realise assets during a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation, you can get in touch with us today and we’d be happy to talk you through your options.

In addition to the sale of any physical assets, the Liquidator will seek to collect in any monies due to the company. You will be afforded the opportunity to purchase any assets of the company you may wish to keep, should your intention be to start a new company.

Back to table of contents

What are the impacts of a CVL on Directors?

Contrary to common belief, entering Liquidation does not automatically prevent you from acting as a director in the future. Whilst there are restrictions regarding the re-use of the same or a similar company name, as long as certain acts are carried out by you, then this is still possible.

Our Insolvency Practitioners will provide you with all of the requisite advice in all matters related to the CVL process to ensure that you do not encounter any problems.

As a director of a company that enters Liquidation, your personal credit rating will also not automatically be affected, providing that it does not result in any unpaid amounts in respect of personal guarantees.

In addition to the above, any employees that are made redundant as part of the Liquidation process will be provided with the relevant guidance and assistance in respect of claiming any monies owed to them.

Any arrears of wages, holiday pay, pay in lieu of notice can be claimed from the Redundancy Payments Service, up to statutory limits. This process is overseen by the Liquidators, to ensure that any loss suffered by employees is recovered in a timely manner.

Back to table of contents

How much does a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation cost?

The fees and expenses of the Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation process are subject to approval, paid in priority to payments to creditors. In the majority of CVL processes, these fees will be met from the proceeds of asset realisation, and in these instances, there is no direct cost to the directors.

However, should your company have insufficient (or no) assets to cover the cost of a CVL, the fees will need to be met by the directors personally.

In this scenario, we will agree with you a fixed fee for dealing with the Liquidation, ensuring that there are no further, hidden costs added later on in the CVL process.

We will also help you explore the full scope of your available assets in order that the CVL process costs can be fully covered by existing assets wherever possible. One of our expert team will be able to take you through this in more detail.

Back to table of contents

What are the benefits of a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation?

You are able to nominate the Liquidator of your choosing

Option to purchase the company’s assets at fair value, should you wish to start a new company

Offers the ability to leave historic debts behind

Ensures an orderly wind-down and closure of the company, should you wish to walk away

The Liquidator has the power to terminate any leases in the name of the company, should they no longer be required

Any employees terminated as a result of the Liquidation are able to submit claims to the Redundancy payments Service for any arrears of wages, redundancy pay etc.

Back to table of contents

How do I move forward with a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation?

To find out more about the costs of a CVL, the timescales involved, or any other question related to whether a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation is right for you, please get in touch with us today. We are available by phone on 0300 303 8284, or alternatively, you can get in touch with us using our online contact form and we’ll get back in touch with you.

Back to table of contents

Jason Elliott Partner Meet our team of experts UK Wide Reach, Meet our experts in INSOLVENCY We invite you to come and discuss your enquiry with us at your convenience.

Call us 0300 303 8284ORRequest a free Meeting