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What is the difference between voluntary and compulsory liquidation?

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Compulsory Liquidation vs Voluntary Liquidation

While both compulsory liquidation and voluntary liquidation both achieve the same end result - the formal closure of a limited company - the way in which this is done differs. With voluntary liquidation, the process is initiated by the directors or shareholders of the limited company; whereas compulsory liquidation is something which is forced upon a company by order of the courts.

What is the difference between voluntary and compulsory liquidation

When it comes to company liquidation there are two main forms that this can take – voluntary and compulsory. While both involve the formal closure of a limited company, there are several key differences between these two procedures, chiefly regarding the way they are initiated and also the manner in which the liquidator is appointed.

To make matters slightly more complex, there are also two types of voluntary liquidation – Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) and Member's Voluntary Liquidation (MVL). Although these are both classed as voluntary liquidation processes, they are in fact employed in very different circumstances.

While a CVL can be used to voluntarily close an insolvent company (i.e. one which can no longer afford to pay its debts), an MVL is designed for solvent companies (i.e. those with more assets than it has obligations) to close down allowing for profits to be extracted in a tax-efficient manner. 

For the purposes of this article, we will be looking at the insolvent voluntary liquidation procedure, CVL as this more directly compares to the compulsory liquidation process; however, you can read more on MVLs here if you believe this is a more suitable procedure based on your company’s current financial position.

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Compulsory Liquidation – As the name suggests, compulsory liquidation is something with is forced upon a limited company from an outside party. Should you fail to pay a creditor the amount they are owed (providing this is over £750) within 21 days of them formally requesting payment, then they are within their right to petition the courts for your company to be forcibly wound up.

In reality, however, this is an extremely serious and expensive step for a creditor to take; therefore a winding up petition (WUP) is usually considered only as a last resort once all other options to extract payment have been exhausted.

However, once a WUP is served upon your company, you have a very short window to take action if you want to save your company from compulsory liquidation. Notice of the winding up petition will be advertised in the Gazette following a period of seven days, and you then have another seven days to settle the petition, either by paying the amount owed in full, or otherwise come to an alternative payment plan with the petitioning creditor. If this is not done, the petition will be heard at court, and unless you have submitted compelling evidence, a winding up order will be served which will then lead to the compulsory liquidation of your business.

Once a winding up order has been made, there is nothing that can be done to reverse this unless the company's financial position has drastically changed from the point the order was made. An Official Receiver will be appointed to handle the liquidation. All assets will be sold with proceeds being used to pay outstanding creditors. The company will then be formally struck off the Companies House register and will legally cease to exist.

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Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) – Unlike compulsory liquidation, voluntary liquidation by way of a Creditor's Voluntary Liquidation is a process initiated by the directors and shareholders of an insolvent company. A CVL is often turned to when creditor pressure and financial worries get too much for a company to deal with.

A CVL differs from compulsory liquidation in that the directors of the insolvent company choose and appoint the insolvency practitioner themselves rather than having this forced upon them. A huge benefit of opting for a CVL is that you can make the decision when the company should be closed, therefore mitigating any further losses to creditors. Waiting for a creditor to begin winding up action can be a lengthy process. As has already been mentioned, applying for a WUP is expensive and some creditors may not feel it is worth taking this step; all the while your company is still active and the pressures you are facing continue to rise.

A CVL can put a stop to creditor demands and shows you are acting responsibly in your role as a limited company director.

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Voluntary Versus Compulsory Liquidation – Should You Wait to Be Wound Up?

As the director of an insolvent limited company, you have certain legal obligations and responsibilities towards your creditors. One of these is to ensure you act in the best interests of creditors once you become aware that your company is insolvent. This means taking action to minimise losses and not doing anything that could worsen their position.

When you wait for creditors to bring you to court rather than proactively seeking help and advice yourself, you may run a higher risk of being accused of wrongful or fraudulent trading. These are offences that are punishable by fines, personal liability for company debts, and even disqualification from acting as a director in severe cases of misconduct.

In a CVL you'll have time to discuss the liquidation with the insolvency practitioner you'll be appointing as liquidator, meaning you should find the process less stressful as you will be more aware of what you can expect to happen and the timings involved.

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What next?

If you are the director of a limited company which is considering, or being threatened with, liquidation, Real Business Rescue can help. Our team of licensed insolvency practitioners can talk you through your options and explain what each of them means for you and your company, both now and also in the future.

With a network of offices spanning the country, you are never far from expert help and advice. Call our team today to arrange a free no-obligation consultation with one of our licensed insolvency practitioners.

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