Insolvency

Three companies providing will and trust writing services were wound up last week after an operation by Company Investigations (CI), a branch of the Insolvency Service.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that pension scheme liabilities are prioritised over other unsecured claims when companies collapse.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has delayed tackling "phoenix" companies until next spring due to industry opposition to reform.

The High Court has ordered the closure of six land banking companies.

The rate of insolvencies among UK businesses fell by 30% last month year-on-year, according to Experian.

Europe must focus on growth as well as cutting spending to reduce national deficits, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says.

A third more companies fell into bankruptcy in 2009 than the year before, according to official statistics released today.

There was a 6% rise in the number of companies in financial distress in Q4 2009, bringing the total to 140,000.

Up to 40,000 businesses could go bust next year, according to a study by Begbies Traynor.

Two of Britain's biggest insurers are poised to slash dividends this week, potentially derailing the stockmarket's blockbuster summer rally, The Times reports.