Bio
Tim Ward helps clients to achieve their objective of protecting the "business environment" by bringing public interest winding up proceedings on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to wind up live companies who are trading contrary to the public interest and disqualifying directors.
Tim works extensively on behalf the Insolvency Service and helps them achieved their aims.
Tim has dealt with numerous public interest winding up proceedings to stop companies trading in an "objectionable" manner (such as operating landbanking schemes who mis-sell land as an investment to the public or filing of false accounts and fraudulently obtaining credit).
Tim also brings civil proceedings against directors of insolvent companies to disqualify them from acting as a director.
He also deals with Section 6 and 8 Company Director Disqualification Act 1986 proceedings to disqualify individuals from acting as directors of companies.
Contentious Insolvency, Fraud and Asset Recovery
Tim also acts for the Official Receiver in respect of asset recovery matters involving corporate and personal insolvencies. These matters range from misfeasance, TUVs, preference payments, void dispositions and DLA recoveries.
Highlights
Tim dealt with contested public interest winding up petitions in respect of a large landbanking scheme, requiring expert surveyors' evidence to counter the claims made about the likelihood of planning permission being obtained and of any subsequent residential developments, as well as valuations of the land in question. He also dealt with the director disqualification proceedings arising out of the those landbanking companies (and a connected company) obtaining disqualification undertakings whilst running the contested petitions at the same time.
In another contested public interest winding up matter, Tim successfully questioned the locus of a contributory (shareholder) to oppose the petition where the company was insolvent (Secretary of State v World Future Ltd 6 March 2013 [2013] EWHC 723 (Ch)).
Public Inquiries and Investigations
Tim is also a member of Gowling WLG's Public Inquiries and Investigations team, with extensive experience advising public bodies, arm's length organisations, and senior officials involved in complex and high-profile inquiries. He has played a leading role in supporting a senior witness from an arm's length body across all phases of a major public inquiry. This has included managing the Rule 9 process, drafting statements, coordinating responses to requests for evidence, overseeing document review and disclosure exercises, and working closely with the Partner and Counsel teams.
Working closely with the Inquiry's legal team and supporting the firm's lead partner, Tim ensures that strategic, procedural, and reputational considerations are carefully balanced. His work involves navigating sensitive evidential issues, managing communications at senior levels, and ensuring the client's position is clearly and effectively represented throughout correspondence with the inquiry and hearings. Tim brings a solid and assured approach to complex public inquiry and investigatory matters, underpinned by strong organisational and analytical skills.