James Whittaker

Partner

James Whittaker is a Partner in the insolvency team, having joined Bermans in 2019 after practicing law at large international law firms since qualifying as a solicitor in 2012.

Prior to qualification, James studied Psychology at the University of Liverpool and then converting to law at the University of Law at Chrisleton.

James has experience acting for and advising companies, individuals, directors, creditors and office-holders within insolvency proceedings in respect of both contentious and non-contentious assignments.

Currently, James has a focus on contentious insolvency proceedings and is regularly instructed to issue and defend applications under the Insolvency Act 1986 and the Insolvency Rules 2016 including:

• Applications for injunctions to restrain presentation of or advertisement of winding up petitions,
• All stages of the creditors’ winding up petition process, including opposing a petition which is disputed in good faith on substantial grounds;
• All stages of the bankruptcy petition process, including applications to set aside statutory demands and disputed bankruptcy petition hearings;
• Full range of office-holder applications arising from the administration of insolvent estates against directors, companies and individuals (including misfeasance/preference/undervalue/void dispositions),
• Acting for Trustees in Bankruptcy against individuals and companies, applications for possession and sale and annulment applications;
• Administration applications include applications to challenge validity of appointment, and administration extension applications;
• Applications for block transfers of office holder appointments.

Outside of work, James likes to spend as much time as possible outside either cycling (having recently completed Haute Route Alps) or walking/camping in the hills of North Wales and the Lake District.  James is also an avid follower of professional cycling, and Liverpool Football Club.

James has been named as a ‘Rising Star’ by The Legal 500 2024 and has been described as “standout individual” and clients said he “has in-depth legal knowledge and excellent judgment.”

E: james.whittaker@bermans.co.uk

T: 0161 827 4605