Insolvency Law · European Union
Find the Right Insolvency Lawyer Before the Situation Hardens
Insolvency rarely arrives in a single event — it builds through missed invoices, mounting debt and difficult conversations, until a formal process is unavoidable. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted insolvency lawyer who works with distressed companies and individuals across Europe every day, whether you need to restructure, defend a claim or wind down properly.
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Who this is for
Insolvency affects more people than the ones who file for it
Insolvency law governs what happens when a person or company can no longer pay its debts as they fall due. It touches business owners whose cash flow has dried up, directors facing personal exposure for the debts of their company, creditors trying to recover what they are owed, and employees worried about wages and severance when an employer fails. Each situation carries its own legal duties and consequences — from formal liquidation and bankruptcy to voluntary arrangements and court-supervised restructuring — and the rules differ meaningfully from one European country to the next. Acting early is almost always the single biggest advantage you can secure, because options that remain open today can close once a court order or a creditor petition is filed.
Why people get stuck
Insolvency is decided in the quiet weeks before a filing.
Most people act too late to keep their options open.
Directors and debtors often freeze, hide from correspondence or make informal promises — and by the time they seek help, the choices have narrowed.
Directors carrying personal liability
In many countries a director can become personally liable for trading on while knowingly insolvent, or for unpaid taxes and social contributions — a risk that grows quietly with every month the company continues to trade without advice.
Creditors left out of the process
When a business fails, suppliers, landlords and lenders often discover too late that the assets have already been pledged, sold or distributed — and that their legal window to file a claim has quietly closed.
Choosing the wrong rescue route
Liquidation, administration, company voluntary arrangements and informal workouts all do different things, and picking the wrong one can destroy value that a proper restructuring would have preserved for everyone involved.
What you get
An insolvency lawyer who understands your side of the table
We only match you with lawyers who handle insolvency, restructuring and debt recovery regularly in your jurisdiction.
Clear-eyed assessment
Your lawyer reviews the full financial picture — assets, liabilities, guarantees and pending claims — and tells you plainly which routes are still available and what each one would cost in time, money and control.
Protection from personal risk
If you are a director or guarantor, your lawyer clarifies exactly where your personal liability begins and ends, and advises on the steps that reduce your exposure before a formal process starts.
Negotiation with creditors
Most insolvency outcomes are negotiated, not litigated. Your lawyer engages lenders, HMRC-equivalent authorities and suppliers on your behalf, turning hostile demands into structured, binding agreements.
Proper, compliant process
Where a formal filing is unavoidable, your lawyer handles the petition, notices and asset treatment correctly, so you do not inherit further liability from procedural mistakes made under pressure.
Coverage
Insolvency lawyers across Europe
Insolvency regimes are national, and the difference between a UK administration, a German Insolvenzverfahren and a Spanish concurso de acreedores is substantial. The right lawyer is one who practises in your specific country. We match cases across the following and beyond:
Frequently asked
Insolvency law — common questions
What is the difference between insolvency and bankruptcy?
Insolvency is the general state of being unable to pay debts as they fall due, and applies to both companies and individuals. Bankruptcy is a specific court process that formally deals with an individual’s debts, and its exact rules vary by country. A lawyer can confirm which regime applies to you.
As a director, when am I personally liable for company debts?
This varies by jurisdiction, but directors can often be held personally liable where they continued trading while knowingly insolvent, breached their duties, or failed to remit taxes and social contributions. The trigger points and defences differ, so seek advice as soon as the company shows signs of distress.
Can a struggling company be saved instead of liquidated?
Often yes. Depending on the country, options may include restructuring plans, company voluntary arrangements, administration or a negotiated workout with creditors. Early action is key, because rescue routes typically require the business to still be viable and the directors to have acted responsibly.
What happens to employees when a company becomes insolvent?
In most European countries employees rank as preferential creditors for unpaid wages, and there is often a state guarantee fund that covers a portion of arrears and severance. The exact protections and amounts differ by country, so affected staff should seek advice promptly.
How quickly should I act if my business is struggling?
As early as possible. Many protections and rescue options are only available before a formal petition is filed or while the company is still solvent on a cash-flow basis. Delaying can convert a recoverable situation into a forced liquidation, so contact a lawyer at the first signs of distress.
Can creditors still recover money from an insolvent company?
Yes, but the outcome depends on the regime, the security you hold and how late you act. Secured creditors typically fare best, while unsecured creditors may recover little. A lawyer can advise whether to register a claim, challenge a transaction or pursue directors personally.
Free case review
The earlier you act, the more choices you keep
Tell us your situation and we’ll connect you with an insolvency lawyer who handles cases like yours in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.