There are a number of ways to find an insolvency practitioner (IP) in the United Kingdom. The easiest place to start is the internet and there are a number of websites that allow you to search for IPs by location or by specialisation.  Here is a list of some easy ways to find an IP.

• Use a search engine
• Use the GOV.UK website
• Ask for recommendations
• Search through local directories

1. Use a search engine

Typically, the easiest way to find an Insolvency Practitioner near you is to search within your preferred search engine of choice (e.g. Google) and search for “liquidation + location” or “insolvency practitioner + location”.

Then, you should get a map with all of the different insolvency practitioners in your area – which you can then use to find one that is best suited to your needs.

Don’t just choose the top one though, look through all the different offerings and try to find the best fit – as they all have their own strengths and weaknesses.

2. Use the Government Website GOV.UK

As mentioned above, the British government has a website and dedicated landing page (https://www.gov.uk/find-an-insolvency-practitioner) where you can search for IPs in your area.

Simply enter your location and the type of insolvency practitioner that you are looking for and the website will provide you with a list of licensed IPs in your area.

For instance, if you were to type in “Driffield” you can see Redman Nichols Butler is shown with the relevant contact details: https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/fip1/Home/Search

You can also use it just to make sure that the IP you are thinking about working with is properly licensed in the UK.

3. Ask for recommendations

Another option to consider in addition to the above is to ask for recommendations when you are looking for an insolvency practitioner.

If you know anyone who has gone through a similar situation, they may be able to recommend a good IP for you to work with.

You can also ask your accountant or lawyer for recommendations – they are likely to have worked with insolvency practitioners before and will be able to point you in the right direction.

Another way to find an IP is to contact your local Chamber of Commerce or business association. These organizations often have lists of local businesses, including IPs.

4. Use an online directory

Finally, you could use a Yellow Pages or an online directory which can help you to find an insolvency practitioner in your area.  But be careful to check that the insolvency practitioner that catches your eye is one that is properly licensed by one of the regulatory bodies, like the IPA or the ICAEW. 

Carry out your due diligence

Once you have found a range of local Insolvency Practitioners, it is important that you take the time to do your due diligence and research each one properly before making a decision.

Here are a few things that you should keep in mind when doing your research:

Consider the type of IP you need

Make sure they are qualified and licensed

Get quotes and compare services

Check through their case studies and reviews

Consider whether an Insolvency Practitioner fits your needs

There are different types of insolvency practitioners in the UK, so you need to make sure that you find one that fits your particular situation.  Some work for large organisations, some work for small firms.  Some are accountants and some are lawyers.  Some specialise in bankruptcies and some deal mainly with businesses.  Some offer a personal hands on approach, others adopt a more standardised approach.

Talk to those that appeal to you in the first instance and try to get a feel for what kind of service that provide and whether that offering appeals to you.  Most will be happy to provide an initial without obligation consultation.

Check that they are licensed and qualified

Perhaps the most important thing to check is that they are licensed.  Only licensed insolvency practitioner can act as liquidators or other types of office holder.  There are many organisations that provide business support and insolvency services but who are not licensed and will need to refer you ultimately to a licensed insolvency practitioner if you need one.  Some of those organisations may be less than reputable.  Licensed insolvency practitioners in the UK are very heavily regulated and must meet very high standards and probity and integrity.  Do not make the mistake of making your decision purely by reference to price – that may ultimately be a costly mistake to make.

Get quotes and compare services

Once you have found a few potential licensed IPs, you should contact them and ask for a free consultation. During the consultation, the IP will assess your financial situation and determine the best option for you.

At the least, it is important to get quotes from each one and compare their services. This will help you to find the IP that is best suited to your needs and budget.  When getting quotes, be sure to ask about all fees and charges upfront so that there are no surprises later on.

Check reviews and case studies

When you are looking for an insolvency practitioner, it is also a good idea to check out reviews and case studies.

This will give you a better idea of what to expect from the IP and whether or not they are likely to be able to help you with your particular situation.

A quick Google search should turn up a few reviews and case studies for any given IP – as they often have them hosted on their site  – but you can also check out independent websites like TrustPilot that also hosts customer reviews.

Make sure to read through the reviews carefully and take note of any red flags that come up. If there are a lot of negative reviews, you may want to consider another IP.

The bottom line

There are a few different things that you need to keep in mind when you are looking for an insolvency practitioner.

First and foremost, you need to make sure that they are properly licensed and qualified to help you with your particular situation.

You also need to make sure that you are getting quotes from a few different IPs so that you can compare their services and find the best one for your needs.

Finally, it is always a good idea to ask for recommendations from people you know, as well as to check out reviews and case studies.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to find a good insolvency practitioner in the UK to help you with your particular situation.