Paul French

Paul French is an enthusiastic, user friendly and incredibly quick barrister who is able to use his academic knowledge to provide responsive, practical and helpful advice. His practice covers all areas of personal, corporate and partnership insolvency, from the matrimonial home in bankruptcies to multi-million pound administrations, whether litigious, advisory or technical.

• Acts regularly in all types of asset recovery actions, in particular transactions at an undervalue, preferences, transactions defrauding creditors, post-petition dispositions and wrongful trading claims.
• Advises on technical issues, especially IVAs and CVAs, Debt Management Plans, whether in live cases or regarding points of principle and/or the drafting of standard conditions.
• Involved in preparing technical guidance from R3 and the Recognised Professional Bodies issued to insolvency practitioners.
• Motivated individual who works well on his own or as part of a team, in conjunction with instructing solicitors and, where appropriate the client (whether professional or lay).
• Undertakes both Direct Access work (from other professionals) and Public Access work (from members of the public).

PUBLICATIONS

Co-editor         Bankruptcy and Personal Insolvency Law Reports (Jordans)

General Editor Lawson: Individual Voluntary Arrangements (loose-leaf) (Jordans, loose-leaf)

Co-author        Insolvency and the Enterprise Act 2002 (Jordans, 2003). 

 

Client recommendations

‪Richard Gore‪

Director, Dispute Resolution Lawyer, Head of the Digital Media and Technology Sector and Accredited Commercial Mediator

‪Excellent barrister. Thorough consideration of the subject matter and good advocacy skills. Highly recommended. ”

 

Legal Directory Recommendations

Chambers UK 2015

Restructuring/Insolvency

Paul French

Now works as an independent barrister and is highly regarded as a leading insolvency practitioner. He receives praise for his friendly manner and his expertise in highly complex cases.

Strengths: "He has a strong technical insolvency practice; he is very flexible and approachable." "He is very friendly, gives straightforward, practical advice and knows his stuff." 

 

Chambers UK 2014

Restructuring/Insolvency

“Excellent technical expertise, and he gets the ear of the judge.” “He has an encyclopedic mind. If you have a case which involves knotty points of law, then Paul is your man. That is the sort of thing that he really thrives on.”

 

Chambers UK 2013

Restructuring/Insolvency

Paul French not only has an “encyclopedic knowledge of the law,” but is also a barrister who “charms the judge.” Sources observe that they would “struggle to find anyone in the country who knows insolvency as well as he does.” Interviewees go on to say that he is “good with clients, very friendly and highly accessible.”

 

Chambers UK 2012

Insolvency

Paul French is “a fount of knowledge in relation to personal insolvency,” and combines being “extremely practical and helpful” with being “very academic and responsive.”

 

Chambers UK 2011

Insolvency

The “incredibly quick” Paul French, who has particular experience in bankruptcy and personal pension schemes. Clients appreciate his “enthusiasm and his fantastic brain.”

 

Chambers UK 2010

Commercial

Paul French does a solid job for his clients, who describe him as “approachable, knowledgeable and very experienced.”

Insolvency

Paul French has particular prowess in bankruptcy and personal pension schemes. He is hailed by one source as “a brilliant barrister with an encyclopedic knowledge of complex personal insolvency law.” Others find him “quick-thinking and good under pressure.”

 

Chambers UK 2009

Commercial

Paul French is highly recommended for his work in general commercial litigation. “User friendly and proficient in technical matters”, he counts banks and debtors amongst his regular clients.

Insolvency

The “highly talented” Paul French is “incredibly tenacious, enthusiastic and creative in providing solutions to problems.” He is developing a great reputation as an erudite lawyer who is exceptionally strong in personal insolvency. Noted for his “keen attention to detail and encyclopaedic knowledge of case law,” he provides commercial advice and is considered a “pleasure to deal with.”

 

Legal 500 2013

Insolvency

“understanding and insightful’

 

Legal 500 2012

Insolvency

Guildhall Chambers fields an impressive insolvency team - featuring Paul French, who is recommended in this area.

 

Legal 500 2011

Insolvency

Paul French ‘his knowledge of law and, in particular case law, is legendary’.

 

Legal 500 2010

Insolvency

Paul French 'prepares thoroughly and has an outstanding knowledge of case law'.

 

Legal 500 2009

Insolvency

Paul French “is highly-rated for individual and corporate insolvency.”

 

Legal 500 2008

Insolvency

Paul French “is our counsel of choice for insolvency – a good brain and great to deal with.”