Protocol for Filing of Bankruptcy at the Insolvency Service UK

The Procedures Laid Down by the Insolvency Service UK for Bankruptcy Petitions

 

How to File Petitions at the Insolvency Service UK

The Insolvency Service UK has implemented a system for UK citizens who wish to file for self bankruptcy or petition someone else, a debtor who owes them money, to have a bankruptcy order.

The first thing petitioners have to do is to visit the local court of the place where they’ve resided for the last six months and acquire Form 6.27. This is the bankruptcy petition form that will get the petition for bankruptcy started. They also need to fill out form 6.28 or the statement of affairs form. This is actually a declaration of insolvency that will also contain details of assets, liabilities and creditors’ information.

Like all other processes involving the services of government offices, there are fees to be paid for those who are filing for bankruptcy. Although forms 6.27 and 6.28 may be acquired for free and are also available through the internet, petitioners need to submit these forms and formally file them to the courts.

Fees Imposed by the Insolvency Service UK

An administration fee or deposit worth £360 is required upon filing the petition for bankruptcy. This could be followed by a court fee, which is worth £150. The Insolvency Service UK does not make this compulsory and the addition of this fee depends on the financial capacity of the person being petitioned for. It is possible that it will no longer be charged if the debtor is already too bogged down by the additional burden of debt repayments and asset liquidation.

There is a £7 additional fee too if the petitioner who wishes to file for self bankruptcy swears his statement of affairs or declaration of insolvency at the High Court or before a solicitor.

The insolvency practitioner and trustees assigned to the case are also entitled to receive their own fees. However, their pay is taken from the estate of the bankrupt individual. These amounts are therefore dependent on the money derived from the bankrupt’s assets and are already agreed upon along with the creditors at the very beginning. The creditors may have their input in this matter since the insolvency practitioner and trustees will practically be taking portions of the money which, by rights, should all be used for debt repayment.

Speaking of debt repayment, all other payments will be directed towards repayment of debts. Additionally, the Insolvency Service UK is very strict at demanding honesty from bankrupts. Those who are found to have hidden assets in an attempt to exclude them from the bankruptcy process will face serious legal consequences.

A Proposed Adjustment for Bankruptcy Applications to the Insolvency Service UK

Last November 2011 a proposal was forwarded to the Insolvency Service UK regarding the involvement of the courts in the filing for bankruptcy. It suggests that for cases where the debtor files for bankruptcy himself, or when the parties involved in a bankruptcy order aren’t in conflict, the courts should no longer have to get involved. The proposal goes that the courts should only interfere when there are disputes and conflicts to settle among debtors and creditors.

Be guided in dealing with the Insolvency Service UK and filing for bankruptcy with Bridgestones UK.

Corporate Debt Spreads: A Guide for the Finance Illiterate

Understanding Corporate Debt Spreads and Their Uses

What are Corporate Debt Spreads?

 Corporatedebt spreads (often used interchangeable with corporate bond spreads) are the net values or the calculated difference between the yields of corporate bonds and government bonds. These values are demonstrated by a yield curve or a graph plotting the yields of bonds for various maturities. These maturity periods are usually measured by years.

Other than this basic definition of corporate debt spreads, it is difficult to delve deeper into what are its determinants, how to say that a given value for a spread is good for a corporation or not, or what causes the occurrence of variations. Even finance and economic experts themselves are unable to come up with a single, universal explanation for it.

What are the Uses of Corporate Debt Spreads?

According to a study published at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRBSF) Economic Research and Educational Resources publication, there are many components in corporate debt spreads. Each of them has its own significance and can inflict an impact on the variations of a spread. This is why experts can only give partial explanations as to what constitutes the variations, and these explanations often vary too.

It is therefore difficult to use corporate debt spreads as a tool for measuring the financial health of a corporation. To insist in doing so would require a systematic breakdown and analysis of the components of a corporate debt spread.

What a spread does do, however, is determine the value of a bond. Investors use spreads for evaluating the risks involved when faced with the prospect of purchasing corporate bonds instead of government bonds.

Spreads are also used to determine whether or not a corporation has a high risk of defaulting on its debts. This has got to do with how a credit rating agency rates a corporation. For instance, if the credit rating agency upgrades a bond, the spread will show a narrowing between the government bond and corporate bond. If it does otherwise, the spread will show a widening gap between the two.

By observing corporate debt spreads, we can also gain an idea about the current condition of the economy. When a corporate debt spread widens it means, as stated above, that the credit risk of a corporate bond—and therefore its possibility to go on default—has increased. This can then be alluded to a poor economy suffering from inflation. A narrowing spread, on the other hand, suggests that a corporation is enjoying high-priced bonds. This can be assumed as due to an economic expansion.

Learn More about Corporate Debt Spreads from Bridgestones’ Experts

There’s still more to corporate debt spreads that finance and economic experts can explain further. If you want to know more about them and their potential role in a corporate financial problem, the experts here at Bridgestones can help you. As a company dedicated to providing corporate debt solutions, Bridgestones will discuss and explore all viable options available for corporations to finally break free of their respective financial problems.  

Understanding corporate debt spreads and whether or not it can work as a forecaster of a corporation’s financial climate will be easier with Bridgestones UK.

Dealing with Cash Flow Problems a Business Might Experience

How to Deal with Cash Flow Problems a Business Might Experience

If you plan to setup your own business venture anytime soon, then you’ll have to be prepared to deal with the common cash flow problems a business might experience because they’re a reality in the world of business. Simply put, you’re experiencing cash flow problems when the business has insufficient cash to pay the bills. It may seem a bit defeatist to think of the possible cash flow problems a business might experience before you’ve even started operations, but it’s essential for you to prepare for all eventualities. This is crucial to ensuring the success of your venture.

Cash Flow Problems a Business Might Experience: How a CFO Can Help

Probably the best way to avoid cash flow problems a business might experience is to increase your sales, as this logically brings in more money to your business. Of course, this is often easier said than done and you may have to seek outside help to pull it off. For many businesses, cash flow problems usually result from late payments or unpaid invoices. To prevent this from happening to your own business, it may be a good idea to hire the services of debt management companies such as Bridgestones, whose representatives can assist you with managing your invoices and improving cash flow.

A fractional CFO from such agencies as Bridgestones can review your taxes and your books to help ensure that you’re paying the lowest possible tax rates and that successful strategies for increasing sales and improving cash flow are used. Even better news is that you only pay a fraction of what you’d normally have to pay an in-house CFO because a fractional CFO works for you only as needed. You’re therefore able to avoid the common cash flow problems a business might experience with minimal investment.

Motivating Your Employees to Avoid Cash Flow Problems a Business Might Experience

Since your primary goal is to increase sales in order to avoid the common cash flow problems a business might experience, you’ll definitely need employees who are properly motivated to reach your sales targets. Having the right compensation plan may be the key towards achieving this. Among other things, your compensation plan needs to be competitive so you can attract and retain the top talents in your field. It’s also a good idea to reward employees with things like free trips or commissions for exceeding their targets. With a solid sales record, you may not even have to seek assistance as regards consumer debt management.

Cash flow problems can occur quite easily and often catches business owners by surprise. This is why it’s very important for you to be prepared for it at the outset. Aside from studying all the possible strategies for increasing sales, you’ll have to learn as much as you can about debt management services and how you can benefit from them. Take note that more than 70% of business failures result from cash flow problems, so it’s indeed essential for you to learn how to deal with cash flow problems a business might experience even before they happen.

Causes of Cash Flow Problems: Keeping Your Business Healthy

Causes of Cash Flow Problems: How to Keep Your Business Problem-Free

Regardless of the type of business you operate, you’ll need cash flow to move forward, which is why you need to gain a deeper understanding of how cash flow works and what the common causes of cash flow problems are. When you consider the fact that cash flow problems typically lead to business liquidity problems, it becomes even more important for you to avoid such problems. And what better way to avoid them than to learn what the common causes of cash flow problems are, right?

Among the most common causes of cash flow problems is when you agree to deliver a product or service to a client before collecting payment. While this may work out fine with a cash-on-delivery arrangement, problems can arise if you agree to collect payment after, say, 30 days and the client reneges on the agreement. Problems can also arise from failure to track business results properly. It may be a good idea to take a closer look at your supply ordering and inventory management systems to see if there are ways to reduce cash flow attrition and speed up the cash inflow.

Survey Highlights Causes of Cash Flow Problems

The most recent Lloyds TSB “Business in Britain” survey has revealed that late payments are still the most common causes of cash flow problems in the UK. The East of England and the East Midlands were the most affected by this factor, with about 68% of business in those regions blaming late payments for their cash flow problems. Other than that, a fall in demand and the added pressure on overdraft facilities of businesses were also cited as key contributory factors to cash flow problems. In light of these results, businesses are advised to make use of credit insurance as a viable debt management solution.

Causes of Cash Flow Problems: Reasons for Non-payment

According to recent research, at least one in eight invoices issued by UK businesses remains unpaid each year. Considering this, it’s no wonder then why unpaid invoices continue to be listed among the major causes of cash flow problems for UK businesses. And when the reasons for non-payment were analysed, businesses going into liquidation went to the top of the list, along with work disputes. So, if you’re having problems collecting on invoices, you may want to enter into a debt management program with your debtors while there’s still a chance for you to get at least part of what they owe.

If you’re currently experiencing cash flow problems, then you may want to seek debt management advice and get the necessary support from agencies like Bridgestone. Unpaid invoices can indeed cause a great administrative burden, particularly on small businesses, and you’ll surely benefit from the advice of professionals specifically trained to handle such situations. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to do it as soon as possible because any delay reduces your chance of recovering from the causes of cash flow problems you’re currently suffering from.

Commercial Debt Recovery Services: How You Benefit from Them

Commercial Debt Recovery Services: Why You Need Them

Bad debts are bad news to both small and large businesses, which is why hiring commercial debt recovery services may be advantageous in this day and age, when global economic turmoil continues to deepen. Take note that a significant number of companies are succumbing to financial problems due to bad debt each day. Outstanding debts can indeed be detrimental to any business, so you definitely have to find ways of recovering these debts. Read on for more detailed information on how commercial debt recovery services can benefit your business in your efforts to recover outstanding debts.

Commercial Debt Recovery Services: Why Hire Them?

You’re already aware that bad debts are bad news for your business, but why exactly should you seek debt management help from a commercial debt recovery agency? What particular benefits do they have to offer? Well, for one thing, commercial debt recovery services are highly efficient in collecting outstanding debts. This may be because the professional approach these agencies take in collecting debt allows for quicker collection. Furthermore, these professionals are specifically trained in locating debtors, which is among the most common problems hindering the collection of outstanding debts. More importantly, hiring someone else to take care of outstanding debt collection leaves you with more time to focus on the other key aspects of your business.

Commercial Debt Recovery Services: The Process of Recovery

When you hire an agency such as Bridgestones to recover outstanding debts for you, they’ll typically consult you on what approach to take. Commercial debt recovery services typically involve the use of persuasive powers and negotiating skills to collect payment or set up a debt management plan in case the debtor has no means of settling the account with a single payment. What’s important is for you to remember that the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to recover outstanding debts.

Commercial Debt Recovery Services: Legal Action

If a debtor still refuses to pay despite repeated attempts at negotiation by debt recovery professionals, the agency may consider taking legal action and advise you accordingly. Of course, this suggestion will only be made after taking the debtor’s financial position into account and if it is deemed the most appropriate debt management solution. Commercial debt recovery services also include advising you on the possible cost of taking legal action, and the agency will only take that route with your approval.

Trying to recover outstanding debts is indeed a difficult and time-consuming task, which requires specialist knowledge. The problem with most companies is that they don’t have the necessary skills or resources to handle outstanding debt collection. Their best option, then, is to outsource debt collection to agencies that specialise in this field. If you feel the need to hire commercial debt recovery services as well, then it’s best to choose professionals working on a “no collection, no fee” basis so you can be sure of getting your money’s worth.