Guidance

Phoenix companies and the role of the Insolvency Service

This guide explains the role of the insolvency service in investigating phoenixism

• From: The Insolvency Service
• Published: 7 October 2015
• Last updated: 16 April 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 16 April 2025

     Phoenix companies text replaced

  2. 24 March 2017

     Improved information on re-using a company name

  3. 7 October 2015

     First published.

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Phoenix companies and the role of the Insolvency Service

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Phoenixing, or phoenixism, are terms used to describe when the same business or directors trade successively through a series of companies which liquidate or dissolve leaving debts unpaid.

Abusive phoenixism is when individuals use companies repeatedly to evade debts or for fraudulent purposes.