Specialisms
About
I am a partner at Menzies and a licensed insolvency practitioner. I take appointments such as liquidator, trustee and administrator, as well as assisting clients with advisory engagements, including working with businesses in regulated sectors. I take the time to listen to the financial difficulties being faced by clients and help them to formulate solutions.
Many engagements involve an international element. Over the years, examples have included property in France, Spain and the United States, operations in the United Arab Emirates and stakeholders from Ireland to New Zealand. These cases often involve working with advisors overseas to understand the law and practice in the relevant jurisdiction.
I lead the firm’s contentious insolvency team, which involves both investigatory work and undertaking litigation to add value to insolvent estates for the benefit of creditors and other stakeholders. I have pursued numerous cases where substantial recoveries have been made from third parties as a result of investigations followed by court proceedings or a negotiated settlement.
As a member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA), I sit on the Board of the IPA and chair its anti-money laundering committee which assists the IPA in its role as a regulator.
I am a co-author of Insolvency Practitioners Appointment, Duties, Powers and Liability published by Edward Elgar Publishing.
Outside of my day-to-day role, I have been trying (and failing) to learn Japanese, but it’s a good excuse for a holiday to Japan!
Email: rlai@menzies.co.uk