Penningtons Manches senior associate achieves sought-after insolvency practitioner accreditation

Posted: 20/03/2019

Penningtons Manches senior associate Rebecca Andrews-Walker, a specialist insolvency solicitor, has achieved dual qualification, having attained insolvency practitioner status following her success in the November 2018 Joint Insolvency Examination Board exams (JIEB). This was Rebecca’s first time sitting at these rigorous assessments.

The JIEB is the highest level of professional insolvency qualification available, and must be passed by anyone wishing to become a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP). The exams are notoriously difficult, even for those already working within an insolvency firm, in order to ensure that only the highest calibre of professionals are able to become IPs. They demand dedication and a huge amount of work, covering the full spectrum of corporate and personal insolvency together with accountancy components.

Held once a year, this was the first time that candidates were examined on the newly structured papers, and using computer based assessment. Until the latest sitting, the exams had consisted of three papers, liquidations, administrations and personal insolvency, but there are now only two papers, corporate and insolvency, and candidates must pass both in order to become fully accredited.

Rebecca is a member of Penningtons Manches’ commercial dispute resolution team and is based in the firm’s Oxford office. She advises on the full breadth of insolvency matters, assisting individuals, companies and insolvency practitioners, and has a particular interest in contentious personal insolvency. In due course she intends to apply for her Insolvency Practitioner Licence, but will be non-appointment taking. She is looking forward to using the specialist knowledge gained during her exams to provide her clients with the very best advice, both legally and holistically.

Rustam Dubash, head of the firm’s commercial dispute resolution team, commented: “We are thrilled for Rebecca. She has embraced a gruelling examination process in order to gain a rare dual-qualification in an industry where she demonstrates passion and commitment. Of all candidates in November 2018, only 32 passed both papers at the first attempt, so this result is a testament to her tenacity and determination. Rebecca can now offer clients an unrivalled understanding, not just of insolvency law, but of their position as a whole.”

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