Business insolvency advice in Edinburgh
Keep client commitments visible when reviewing cash
An Edinburgh service business may receive retainers or staged payments while owing substantial work to clients. Match the money received with the delivery still required. A bank balance can look healthy even though much of it is needed to complete existing commitments.
If the company faces insolvency, identify customer obligations, payroll and contractual notice periods alongside tax and supplier debt. Scottish legal requirements may apply and need checking before formal steps. A restructuring discussion should address how clients would be served, rather than only how old debts might be reduced.
Speak to an adviser
Quote Edinburgh and tell us your postcode so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
If a notice has a deadline, give us the date and the type of notice at the start of your enquiry.
Support across Edinburgh and the surrounding area
We support company directors in Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, including businesses in the EH1 postcode district. You can also contact us from Leith, Portobello, Musselburgh, Dalkeith. Give us your full trading postcode and company details so the discussion starts with the right business and location.
Initial support is available by telephone and online enquiry. The locations listed describe our service coverage; they are not advertised walk-in offices. Any proposed meeting needs to be arranged in advance.
Client retainers with outstanding delivery obligations
An Edinburgh consultancy may have received retainers for work still to be completed. Match the income already collected to remaining staff and contractor costs. Confirm the company’s registration and the relevant Scottish procedures before selecting a formal route or assuming personal debts follow the same process.
The problem and possible next steps
Pressure from several creditors: put amounts, due dates and any enforcement action into one schedule. A cash-flow review helps distinguish a timing problem from a business that cannot support its debts.
No affordable recovery: take advice on company liquidation before committing more funds. Asset ownership, employees, leases and guarantees all need consideration; simply ceasing trade does not settle these obligations.
For companies registered in Scotland, the relevant Scottish procedure must be checked before formal action. A trading postcode alone does not determine jurisdiction.
For issues involving professional services, see our sector guidance. We consider the business’s actual contracts, costs and liabilities rather than assuming every company in Edinburgh faces the same problem.
Questions from Edinburgh business owners
What if clients have paid for work that is unfinished?
List each commitment, the amount received and the cost to complete it. Explain any restrictions on the funds and seek advice before using them for unrelated liabilities.
Do you help businesses in EH1 and around Edinburgh?
Yes. Our enquiry service covers Edinburgh and nearby areas including Leith, Portobello, Musselburgh. EH1 is one example postcode district, rather than a boundary for advice. Tell us your full postcode and where the company is registered when you contact us.
Can a profitable firm still need insolvency advice?
Yes. Fees recorded as income do not necessarily provide cash for wages, tax or rent. Review unpaid and unbilled work, client disputes and the cost of completing current assignments alongside the business’s total liabilities.
What should I have ready when discussing my Edinburgh company?
Prepare a summary of creditors, cash available, unpaid customer invoices and the next essential payments. Include tax arrears, finance agreements and any personal guarantees. Mention legal notices and their deadlines at the start; you do not need a finished recovery plan to make an initial enquiry.
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