Complex Insolvency Investigation Services UK

Complex insolvency investigation services are essential when creditors, landlords and legal teams face deliberate asset dissipation, nominee structures or coordinated insolvency strategies. At Shergroup we mobilise specialist investigators immediately to preserve perishable evidence, trace complex money flows and produce solicitor-ready intelligence that turns suspicion into action. Early intervention is critical: prompt forensic bank tracing, digital forensics and single-visit evidence capture increase the likelihood of successful avoidance proceedings, misfeasance claims or enforcement remedies. Whether you need targeted tracing, rapid operational preservation or a clear evidential roadmap for legal action, Shergroup delivers a pragmatic, legally compliant response tailored to your recovery objectives and timelines.

Why complex insolvency investigations matter for creditors, landlords and litigation

When companies and their controllers use rapid retitling, nominee directors or cross-company transfers to frustrate creditors, time and clarity become the creditor’s most valuable assets. A robust complex insolvency investigation establishes timelines, identifies control nodes and traces how funds or stock have been diverted, providing the evidential base to pursue remedies. That evidence supports issuing a statutory demand, pursuing a County Court Judgment, escalating to High Court Enforcement or commencing insolvency proceedings. Early-stage assessment also helps prioritise preservation measures that protect recoverable value and reduce the risk assets are removed before remedies can be applied.

Shergroup’s approach reduces friction in disclosure and court processes by delivering authenticated, courtroom-ready outputs: timestamped photography, geo-tagged video, Companies House captures and solicitor-formatted witness statements. These outputs help legal teams assess merits quickly and select the most effective recovery pathway—whether enforcement, insolvency applications or negotiated settlement. In many matters we combine investigative intelligence with operational options using our security services and enforcement teams to preserve evidence and secure assets, increasing the chance of tangible recovery for creditors and landlords.

How Shergroup conducts forensic, solicitor-ready investigations

Shergroup applies a multidisciplinary methodology designed to produce admissible, solicitor-ready intelligence. Cases begin with a rapid scoping call to align instructions with counsel, identify preservation priorities and set lawful boundaries for evidence gathering. Investigations then proceed across parallel streams: forensic bank tracing reconstructs transactional flows and reveals nominee accounts; digital forensics preserves device metadata, emails and communication threads; operational teams perform single-visit evidence captures to secure perishable material on site. Every action follows strict chain-of-custody and compliance protocols so that outputs withstand disclosure and courtroom scrutiny.

Typical deliverables include authenticated Companies House captures, detailed bank flowcharts linking trading accounts to ultimate beneficiaries, high-resolution photographic and video logs, and solicitor-formatted witness statements. These are presented as a consolidated audit trail enabling solicitors, insolvency practitioners and enforcement teams to take immediate, evidence-led steps. Where enforcement is required, we coordinate with our own teams or partner with legal advisers to execute controlled repossession and targeted actions such as securing assets subject to a writ of control.

Single-visit evidence capture: preserving perishable material lawfully

Stock, vehicles, plant and perishable records can disappear within hours if not secured. Shergroup’s single-visit evidence capture teams work closely with counsel to plan attendance, ensuring legal and health-and-safety compliance. On arrival we perform dynamic risk assessments, secure the scene and gather geo-tagged photographs, high-definition video and timestamped logs. Forensic device imaging is undertaken where lawful to preserve transactional records and metadata. Every item captured is recorded with chain-of-custody documentation and witness signatures so that evidence remains admissible and auditable throughout ensuing proceedings.

• Pre-attendance alignment with counsel to define lawful scope and objectives.
• Geo-tagged, timestamped photographic and video evidence of premises, stock and plant.
• Forensic imaging of devices when legally authorised to preserve emails, messages and metadata.
• Immediate witness statements and contemporaneous logs to support preservation orders or insolvency filings.

After each visit Shergroup issues an urgent intelligence brief and a full investigative report that recommends next steps—ranging from targeted tracing and secure repossession supported by our security services, to compiling evidence for insolvency, avoidance or misfeasance claims. Speed paired with legal rigour increases your leverage in negotiations and the likelihood of successful enforcement.

Practical techniques to reveal coordinated insolvency strategies

Exposing coordinated strategies designed to frustrate creditors requires synthesising corporate filings, transactional records and on-the-ground verification into a coherent narrative. Shergroup combines Companies House chronology, officer and address linkage, forensic bank tracing and digital footprinting to produce visual flowcharts and appendices that clarify control, timing and asset destinations. Operational checks then confirm whether stock or equipment has been moved, retitled or concealed. This layered approach turns disparate records into a strong narrative of intent and mechanism.

1. Registry chronology: authenticated captures of filings and changes at Companies House to establish suspicious timing.
2. Officer and address linkage: identify nominee directors, service addresses and common control points across networks.
3. Forensic bank tracing: map transfers through trading and nominee accounts to reveal layered flows.
4. Digital footprinting: correlate domains, email aliases and IP data to identify controllers behind shell structures.
5. Operational verification: targeted site visits to confirm asset movement and condition in real time.

When combined, these strands reveal patterns such as simultaneous filings across related entities, rapid retitling of assets or circular intercompany transfers. With targets identified, Shergroup can escalate to High Court Enforcement, arrange focused repossession for matters including commercial rent arrears recovery, or support insolvency practitioners with evidence packages for avoidance actions.

What evidence strengthens avoidance and misfeasance claims?

Strong avoidance and misfeasance claims rely on proving control, sequence and causation between transfers and beneficiaries. Shergroup compiles consolidated evidence bundles that typically include timestamped Companies House screenshots, forensic bank flowcharts linking payments to ultimate beneficiaries, signed witness statements corroborating asset movement, and preserved device metadata showing communications between directors and nominees. Presenting these items as a single, auditable trail increases admissibility and helps counsel decide whether to pursue enforcement, insolvency petitions, negotiated settlement or mediation.

Evidence that is commonly decisive includes: contemporaneous photographic evidence of asset locations, witness statements from employees or third parties, bank payment chains showing transfers shortly before insolvency, and digital logs proving coordination between companies. Shergroup packages this evidence with legal commentary and practical options that allow solicitors and insolvency practitioners to act swiftly and effectively.

Working with solicitors and insolvency practitioners to convert intelligence into action

Investigative intelligence must convert into legal and operational action to achieve recoveries. Shergroup partners closely with solicitors, insolvency practitioners and in-house teams to ensure outputs map directly to procedural options—preservation orders, freezing injunctions, insolvency petitions or enforcement routes. We provide clear, prioritised recommendations outlining remedial options, likely timelines and evidential strengths so advisers can instruct targeted measures such as a writ of control or prepare avoidance litigation.

Benefits of collaboration include solicitor-ready evidence bundles formatted for disclosure, operational coordination for repossession using our security services, and rapid tracing and bank analysis to identify recovery targets. We frequently integrate investigative work with ongoing debt recovery and debt collection processes to deliver pragmatic outcomes that protect commercial interests and reduce time-to-enforcement.

Early red flags of strategic bankruptcy coordination and immediate steps to take

Recognising early warning signs of coordinated insolvency preserves recovery options. Key red flags include simultaneous filings across related companies, abrupt transfers to nominee accounts, last-minute retitling of assets, sudden intercompany payments and rapid removal of stock or equipment. If you spot these indicators, act quickly to preserve evidence and maintain leverage.

Immediate recommended steps:

• Preserve documents and communications: secure emails, invoices and transaction records to prevent deletion and aid disclosure.
• Instruct forensic bank tracing promptly to follow fund flows and identify nominee accounts for potential recovery.
• Arrange timestamped photography and a single-visit evidence capture of premises and stock to preserve condition and location evidence.
• Collect witness statements from staff, suppliers and third parties while recollections remain fresh.
• Consider negotiation or mediation where it preserves value and business continuity, or escalate to insolvency or enforcement when necessary.

Shergroup’s specialist teams can mobilise swiftly to preserve evidence, trace funds and deliver solicitor-ready intelligence so you can decide on enforcement, insolvency action or negotiated settlement with confidence.

Useful Shergroup services related to insolvency investigations

When pursuing recovery, clients commonly combine investigative work with operational and legal services. Shergroup offers complementary capabilities including dedicated tracing, targeted process serving, secure repossession with our security services, and enforcement pathways such as High Court Enforcement or enforcement. Integrating these services with forensic investigations gives you a practical route from discovery to recovery, backed by compliant, solicitor-ready evidence.

Act now: early preservation dramatically improves outcomes. Contact Shergroup for an immediate scoping call and a practical plan to protect your interests and pursue recovery.