Bournemouth Office E-Newsletters
Our Bournemouth office produces a regular e-newsletter, which we send out to our subscribers. It usually features two or three stories relating to our core business as insolvency practitioners and business restructuring and turnaround experts, including news about us and the world of insolvency in general, case studies and, from time to time, testimonials from satisfied clients. Click on any one, below, to view.
If you would like to sign up to receive our e-newsletter, simply click here and we’ll add you to the list. Check out our privacy policy here. You can unsubscribe at any time. Contact us or call us at our Bournemouth office on 01202 923009 for more details.
15th November 2023: Directors be Vigilant! Talk to your Accountant to understand a Director’s Loan Account and your potential Liabilities?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- In our experience, a Director’s Loan Account (DLA), and how and when one can be used, is a complex area and often not fully understood by directors, especially in the SME sector. If your company is liquidated, overdrawn Directors’ Loan Accounts and Illegal Dividends can lead to Liquidators’ Claims and even Director Disqualification.
16th October 2023: What are the options for closing IR35 contractor limited companies How can Insolvency Practitioners help?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- IR35, also known as the Intermediaries Legislation, is a complex set of HMRC rules that are used to determine whether a contractor should be treated as an employee or self-employed for tax purposes. IR35 came into force in April 2000, and has had a number of changes since, with the most recent significant reform coming in April 2021. This reform has had an adverse impact on many contractor companies, with some directors looking to find the most efficient way to close their company down.
20th September 2023: Directors of Limited Companies take care when paying Dividends
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- If Illegal Dividends are paid, then Misfeasance Claims and/or Director Disqualification can be the outcome for Directors of Liquidated Companies?
29th August 2023: Directors must be vigilant to avoid Wrongful Trading
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- How can Insolvency Practitioners help distressed and insolvent companies reduce/avoid the risk of Wrongful Trading?
4th July 2023: Cash is King for Businesses in distress
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Customers are the key to a successful business, but Cash & Cash Flow are the most important things to a business in distress. Here our Insolvency Practitioners look at a few key factors to create a strong cash culture.
7th June 2023: What are the advantages of a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- There is more to a CVL than the removal of creditor pressure and the prevention of legal action. Plus, a CVL does not mean a director will never work again. firsts.
4th May 2023: Why you should do a check before you choose your business’s suppliers?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- The risks of choosing suppliers without checking them out firsts.
- Insolvency Mediation – Insolvency Practitioners make good Mediators.
4th April 2023: Can Directors Loan Accounts be Reclassified as remuneration in Administration or Liquidation?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Insolvency Practitioners are duty bound to scrutinise Directors’ Loan Accounts, which, if overdrawn, can lead to insolvency claims against the directors as well as director disqualification investigations.
- In this article, we look at a recent judgement from a High Court case, which investigated the issue of whether DLAs could be reclassified as remuneration. The case highlighted the risks to directors in trying to do so.
7th March 2023: Why it is important for directors to document their actions if concerned they are insolvent
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Directors must comply with their duties as stated in the Companies Act 2006. Failure to do so can have serious consequences.
- The Duties of Directors when a Company is in Financial Difficulties. Some Do’s and Don’ts.
7th February 2023: Reduced energy bill support could affect 25% of small businesses.
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- What can affected businesses do if Insolvency looms as a result? A Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) is one option, especially as Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) is still available to withdraw monies tax efficiently.
10th January 2023: Directors be Vigilant! The additional tax charge for an un-repaid Director’s Loan Account is 33.75%
In this e-newsletter, we feature 2 stories:
- The first looks at Directors’ Loan Accounts, and the little known (amongst directors) fact that the additional tax charge for an un-repaid Director’s Loan Account is 33.75%.
- The second looks at a case study where a Company Voluntary Arrangement restored solvency to a London Stock Exchange listed company that was in Administration – a really specialist piece of work.
13th December 2022: Happy Christmas from Antony Batty & Company
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- The Team at Antony Batty & Co wish you a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous 2023.
8th December 2022: What is a Restructuring Plan and when can one be used?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- The Restructuring Plan was introduced in 2020 via the Corporate Insolvency & Governance Act as part of a range of government measures designed to assist struggling businesses.
- Fine and prison sentence for another director who abused the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
3rd November 2022: What do the current figures look like in the Insolvency industry?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- 16% more insolvencies than a year ago. Plus 18% of small businesses have considered closure this year.
- The Improper use of Customers’ Deposits. This is a ‘red flag’ offence at Insolvency. Our Insolvency Practitioners explain why.
5th October 2022: How can Insolvency Practitioners help Businesses in Financial Distress?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Many thousands of businesses are feeling the financial strain. The quicker we are asked for advice, the more we can do to help.
- The current inflationary situation and economic uncertainty is causing huge problems for many businesses. What can affected businesses do?
6th September 2022: HMRC Winding Up Petitions on the increase
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- More severe enforcement by HMRC as the average amount due to HMRC in UK insolvencies doubles.
- Directors need to be Vigilant! Understanding a Directors Loan Account and your Liabilities. If your company is liquidated it can lead to Liquidators’ Claims and even Director Disqualification.
11th August 2022: First Director goes to prison for Bounce Back Loan Fraud
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- On 24th June 2022, Abdulrazag Zagroba, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for Bounce Back Loan (BBL) fraud, the first successful criminal prosecution for this crime by the Insolvency Service. He was also disqualified as a director for 7 years.
One of our Insolvency Practitioners, Antony Batty, commented:
“This represents a milestone and has been a long time in coming. Indicators are there will be many more. It also shows the powers that the Insolvency Service has at its disposal.
12th July 2022: The Misuse of Covid Loans can lead to Freezing orders, Winding up Petitions, Director Disqualification and Criminal Proceedings
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Latest Government figures show that the number of registered company insolvencies in May 2022 was 1,817:
- 79% higher than in the same month in the previous year (1,014 in May 2021), and
- 34% higher than the number registered three years previously (pre-pandemic; 1,352 in May 2019).
Businesses will continue to face significant headwinds as inflation and costs continue to rise and economic volatility persists.
What does this all mean for the repayment of ‘Covid Loans’?
21st June 2022: Paying Dividends – The Consequences of Paying Illegal Dividends.
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- As the full financial impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic is becoming clear, we have seen that it has led to drastically increasing numbers of corporate failure and, as part of the process of investigating both Voluntary and Compulsory Liquidations, dividend payments will be scrutinised for legality by Insolvency Practitioners. Some directors may face a Misfeasance Claim as a result and will be forced to repay dividends.
19th May 2022: Directors beware – It is not just business loans from banks that require Personal Guarantees:
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Personal Guarantees are everywhere in Business. Directors must be vigilant over what they sign as Personal Liability is likely if Insolvency strikes.
15th April 2022: Do you know what HMRC’s preferential creditor status means to a Director facing Insolvency?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Why could making preference payments to creditors be an issue if insolvency looms?
15th March 2022: Bounce Back Loans. Lifeline or Potential Headache
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Many businesses are finding difficulties repaying. What can they do? How can Insolvency Practitioners help?
14th February 2022: Think before you – or a client – signs a Personal Guarantee
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Personal Guarantees for Commercial Leases (or any type of loan) can lead to serious consequences for the Guarantor. What are the issues and how can Insolvency Practitioners help?
7th January 2022: Directors of Dissolved Companies can now be investigated by the Insolvency Service
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Following the granting of Royal Assent to the Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Bill on 15th December 2021, on 15th February 2022 specific provisions come into force which will allow the Insolvency Service to investigate the conduct of a Director of a Company that has been dissolved without first being subject to insolvency proceedings.
7th December 2021: Insolvency, Liquidation and Redundancy Claims
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Insolvency, Liquidation and Redundancy Claims. A testimonial from a relieved client whom we went the extra mile for with his redundancy claim: “Sunney Sagoo from Antony Batty took me through the process of application for my redundancy claim, and after firstly receiving rejection he argued the case on my behalf which resulted in acceptance of both my notice pay and redundancy pay.”
4th November 2021: Personal Guarantees, Insolvency and Personal LiabilityLoan?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Personal Guarantees, Insolvency and Personal Liability. In recent months we have seen an increase in Directors asking what their exposure is to claims under Personal Guarantees, and how they should respond to such claims.
- The Key Autumn 2021 Budget Announcements for Businesses. Business Asset Disposal Relief was untouched and Business Rates were discounted for the sectors hardest hit by Covid-19.
7th October 2021: Worried that you or a Client cannot pay back a Bounce Back Loan?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Bounce Back Loan repayments started in May 2021. How can a Company with an outstanding Bounce Back Loan be closed?. The correct procedure to use to close a company with an outstanding Bounce Back Loan is a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation.
- Looking to close a Solvent Company with an MVL?. Should you, or a Client, act before the Autumn Budget on 27th October 2021?
8th September 2021: 10 tips to help with debt recovery
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- 10 tips to help with debt recovery. Late payments can severely disrupt a business’s operations, and can even lead to insolvency. An effective debt recovery policy is a must.
- Walking to raise funds for MIND. Our Teams are walking virtually from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise awareness for Mental Health.
4th August 2021: The Key Signs of Financial Distress
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- The Key Signs of Financial Distress. We always say taking early action is vital, but directors must know what to look for.
- #Be Kind. How Antony Batty & Co are working to help businesses, and people, to recover from Covid-19.
8th July 2021: Directors need to be Vigilant! Understanding a Directors Loan Account and their Liabilities
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Overdrawn Directors Loan Accounts and Illegal Dividends. If a company is liquidated it can lead to Liquidators’ Claims and even Director Disqualification
- Restrictions on statutory demands and winding up petitions now extended to the end of September 2021.
8th June 2021: New Powers to Investigate Directors
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Insolvency Service gets new retrospective powers to investigate directors of dissolved companies and combat Bounce Back Loan Fraud.
- The reason for the new legislation is that directors were able to take advantage of a loophole to dissolve companies which were still able to pay their debts as a means of avoiding repaying BBLs. The new legislation seeks to close that loophole.
6th May 2021: Bounce Back Loans – First Repayments Now Due
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Will directors of businesses that cannot repay BBLs, automatically face personal liability and director disqualification investigations?
- Plus – Businesses Beware! Uncovering the new Recovery Loan – A commercial look at the scheme.
8th April 2021:Further Suspension of Wrongful Trading Provisions to 30th June 2021
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Further Suspension of Wrongful Trading Provisions to 30th June 2021 and what It means for businesses
- The launch of our Pan Asian Desk – a service offered to businesses nationwide, which fills a perceived gap in the market amongst smaller boutique Insolvency Practitioners.
- Is Furlough now just ‘Kicking the Can Down the Road’ and allowing Unviable Jobs to Survive Short Term?
8th March 2021: Good news for Solvent Businesses, but are those affected ready for IR35?
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- The Budget 2021 was about business recovery from Covid-19, and not about payback….yet!
- There was also good news for solvent businesses who are thinking of closing down with no change to Business Asset Disposal Relief. However, the IR35 reform looks set to come into effect in April.
2nd February 2021: Business Asset Disposal Relief
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- Will the Chancellor be looking at Business Asset Disposal Relief on 3rd March?
7th January 2021: 4 Sins to Avoid at Insolvency
In this e-newsletter, we feature:
- 4 Sins to Avoid: Directors’ Responsibilities at Insolvency
- Why Choose to Work with Antony Batty & Company?
9th December 2020: Happy Christmas from Antony Batty, Bournemouth
- Wish everyone a happy Christmas and a successful 2021
- Feature our Christmas opening hours
