Who are R3? R3 is the trade association for the UK’s insolvency, restructuring, advisory and turnaround professionals. They represent insolvency practitioners, lawyers, turnaround and restructuring experts, students and others in the profession. The insolvency, restructuring and turnaround profession is a vital part of the UK economy. The profession rescues businesses and jobs, creates the confidence to trade and lend by returning money fairly to creditors after insolvencies, investigates and disrupts fraud, and helps indebted individuals get back on their feet. Creditor guides R3 has produced a set of guides for unsecured creditors which explain the rights of creditors during an insolvency process. These can be accessed below. To understand the role of a committee comprised primarily of creditors that may be established in the course of the insolvency proceedings, see Creditors’ Committees: A Guide for Creditors (E&W) (March 2023). Insolvency process Questions covered Administration • In what circumstances does a company find itself in administration? • How can a company be placed into administration? • What is the purpose of administration? • What are the powers

The R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals has published its Quarterly Business Health Report for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, reporting that both the number of UK businesses entering insolvency-related processes and the number of new company registrations declined compared with the previous quarter and the same period in 2025. Based on Creditsafe data, the report recorded 6,854 insolvency-related activities, representing a 6% year-on-year decrease and a 5% quarter-on-quarter decrease, and 184,873 new company registrations, representing a 6% year-on-year decrease and a 2% quarter-on-quarter decrease. The report also states that construction recorded the highest number of insolvency-related activities, followed by accommodation and food services and wholesale and retail, although all three sectors recorded year-on-year declines. It further highlights increases in insolvency-related activity among financial and insurance businesses and in the real estate sector during the first half of 2026. Regionally, Greater London recorded the highest number of both new company registrations and insolvency-related activities, while all UK regions recorded year-on-year declines in start-up activity and most regions also recorded reductions in insolvency-related activity.

R3 has published a report on late payment pressures affecting UK businesses for Q1 2026. Based on Creditsafe data, the report shows that overdue invoices rose to 17.48 million, with 1.57 million businesses carrying overdue bills, indicating growing cashflow strain. The Quarterly Business Health report also highlights that while insolvency-related activity fell 6% year on year, it increased by 9% compared to Q4 2025, reflecting mounting financial pressure amid rising costs and economic uncertainty. Late payments remain a key risk factor for business failure, with construction identified as the most distressed sector and notable regional increases.

R3, in collaboration with technology company Alph4, has published a report examining the current and potential impact of AI (artificial intelligence) and automation in the restructuring and insolvency sector. Based on a member survey and practitioner interviews, the report addresses current AI usage, automation opportunities, data security, professional indemnity insurance and regulatory concerns. It concludes that firms investing in technology literacy and establishing clear governance frameworks—using AI to enhance rather than replace professional judgement—are best positioned to benefit.

The Association for Business Recovery Professionals (R3) has responded to the Insolvency Service's first major update on the Personal Insolvency Framework Review since August 2023. The update proposes mandatory upfront debt advice, technology integration, and terminology reforms to reduce stigma. R3's Personal Insolvency Committee Chair, Nicky Fisher, welcomed the proposals but stressed that careful implementation is essential to maintain creditor confidence. The review seeks to modernise the insolvency framework to reflect current economic conditions while ensuring robust protections remain in place for both creditors and debtors.

The Association of Business Recovery Professionals (R3) has formally submitted its response to the Scottish Government’s Stage 3 consultation on statutory debt solutions. The response covers key areas including sequestration, the minimal asset process (MAP), protected trust deeds, and the debt arrangement scheme (DAS).

The R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals has published its response to the Insolvency Service’s consultation on corporate civil enforcement reforms. R3 broadly supports targeted reforms that enhance the effectiveness, proportionality and enforceability of civil enforcement powers. However, it cautions against measures that add complexity, divert resources from addressing serious misconduct, or fail to incorporate sufficient safeguards.

Construction analysis: The impact of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) on municipal buildings has taken a significant and unfortunate turn in that over one hundred schools have been closed due to the presence of RAAC. More schools may be closed in the near future. Written by William O’Brien, solicitor, at Devonshires.

The Russian Arbitration Center (RAC) has published its 2025 annual report, highlighting a significant increase in the aggregate value of claims, steady caseload growth and a consistently high rate of enforcement of arbitral awards. In 2025, the RAC received 456 new claims, of which 443 were accepted and administered a total of 566 cases. Domestic disputes accounted for the majority, with 397 cases compared to 46 international arbitrations. The aggregate value of new claims rose to RUB 70.9 billion. Disputes were mainly concentrated in the sectors of professional, scientific and technical activities, construction, and trade. Of the 392 cases referred to arbitral tribunals, 86% resulted in arbitral awards, while 8% were resolved on agreed terms and 6% were terminated. Most cases were decided by a sole arbitrator. Proceedings lasted, on average, 190 days under the standard procedure and 96 days under the expedited procedure. The report also notes an approximate 100% enforcement rate of RAC awards in Russian courts, with enforcement applications exceeding challenges.

Transport emergency arrangements used by the main organisations in the UK nuclear industry.

Red/Amber/Green in a risk assessment.

Rail Accident investigation Branch