Sacha Pickering

Overview

I’m a Partner in the Banking, Restructuring & Insolvency team and a member of the Firm’s International Trust Advisory Group. I’m ranked as a notable practitioner in Chambers and Partners, and a leading individual in The Legal 500.

I have over 20 years’ experience as a specialist insolvency and restructuring solicitor.

I deal with all types of restructuring and insolvency issues, including business and asset sales and purchases, antecedent transaction advice and recovery, and all aspects of appointment holders’ and directors’ duties, powers and responsibilities.

I advise on the full range of insolvency procedures from administrations through to complex individual voluntary arrangements and bankruptcy. I advise both insolvency practitioners and directors, companies and other stakeholders. In addition, I advise high-net-worth individuals, trust funds and corporates in relation to financial distress, pre-emptive structuring and contingency planning.

I have advised office holders generally (including KPMG, PwC, BDO, Duff & Phelps and FRP Advisory) in relation to many matters including business and asset sales including by way of pre-pack; realisations by trustees in bankruptcy; directors’ duties; extensions and exits from administrations; recovery of significant and complex book debts; and misfeasance proceedings against directors.

I am ranked in Band 2 for Restructuring and Insolvency in the South West in independent legal guide Chambers. I have also been ranked in Band 3 UK-Wide by Chambers, as well as listed as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500.

Recent experience

Acting for a well-known sports brand in relation to its purchase and restructuring of swimwear brand, Zoggs

Advising the administrators of an international group of renewable energy companies. The parent was incorporated in Jersey, with its centre of main interests in the UK. The operational companies were situated in Chile. Companies within the group were also registered in Guernsey and Singapore and aspects were subject to the law of the State of New York. Ultimately, a $multi-million sale of the parent company’s shares was concluded

Advising various group companies in the Intu Group during 2021 and into 2022, following one of the largest administrations in the UK. Advice related to the ongoing administration of the Intu Group, principally around a true-up process relating to a complex transitional services agreement with the administrators

Acting as UK legal counsel for a major international car manufacturer in relation to significant supply chain issues arising from the removal of funding to the steel supplier due to the collapse of the Greensill Group. Advice included contingency planning, contractual/commercial matters and transitional services

Acting for the liquidators of a significant pharmaceutical group in relation to legal proceedings against former directors and shareholders. Claims related to a complex multi-million pound restructuring plan instigated by the former directors and included allegations of breach of duty and misfeasance, undervalue transactions and transactions defrauding creditors. The claims were successfully concluded following meditation