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Guidance

Director information hub: Transactions made before insolvency can be recovered

Some company transactions may be challenged if a company enters liquidation or administration.

  1. Antecedent transactions
  2. Recovery and other consequences
  3. Professional advice or guidance

Antecedent transactions

Some transactions made by a company before it goes into liquidation or administration can be challenged by the liquidator or administrator. These are known as antecedent transactions.

For example:

  • a company enters into transactions that favour one creditor over others
  • if someone other than a creditor has benefited from a transaction or gift that has disadvantaged the company’s creditors

Recovery and other consequences

If the administrator or liquidator believes that a transaction could be challenged, they will recover the money or assets for the benefit of all the creditors. 

You could also be disqualified from acting as a company director and there may be other consequences.

Professional advice or guidance

Some companies may dispose of assets or goods prior to entering a formal insolvency process as part of a genuine effort to continue trading and remain in business.

If your company is at risk of insolvency and you are concerned about a potential transaction, you should seek professional advice from an accountant or insolvency practitioner.

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Updates to this page

Published 4 October 2023
Last updated 11 September 2026 Show all updates
  1. New content supplied by the stakeholder.

  2. First published.

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