40real case studies
18CPD events
20learning videos
14legislation milestones
4qualifications covered
Starting your insolvency career
Everything you need to know about qualifications, career paths and what to expect working in UK insolvency.
Insolvency qualifications
JIEB
Joint Insolvency Examination Board
The primary qualification to become a licensed insolvency practitioner. Two papers — personal and corporate insolvency. Considered one of the hardest professional exams in the UK.
Body
ICAEW / IPA / ICAS
Duration
1–3 years study
Cost
~£2,000–3,000
CPI
Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency
For insolvency support staff not seeking full IP status. Covers day-to-day case handling. Highly regarded by IP firms.
Body
INSOL International
Duration
6–12 months
Cost
~£500–800
Cert Ins
Certificate in Insolvency
ICAEW foundation level qualification. A solid starting point for those new to insolvency or considering the JIEB. Covers core corporate and personal concepts.
Body
ICAEW
Duration
3–6 months
Cost
~£400–600
ACA / ACCA
Chartered Accountancy
Many IPs hold ACA or ACCA alongside JIEB. Provides a strong foundation in accounting and finance. Not required but opens senior doors at larger firms.
Body
ICAEW / ACCA
Duration
3–5 years
Cost
~£4,000–8,000
Career progression
1
Case Administrator / Support Staff
0–2 yrs
Day-to-day admin — filing forms, drafting letters, managing creditor queries, maintaining case records. Usually studying CPI or Certificate in Insolvency.
2
Case Handler / Assistant Manager
2–4 yrs
Running straightforward cases with supervision. Drafting progress reports, managing asset realisations, dealing with HMRC. Studying JIEB.
3
Case Manager / Manager
4–7 yrs
Running complex cases independently. Taking initial client meetings. Supervising junior staff. JIEB qualified or close.
4
Senior Manager / Associate Director
7–10 yrs
Managing a team of case handlers. Business development. Liaison with banks and referrers. IP licence obtained or in progress.
5
Licensed Insolvency Practitioner
10+ yrs
Taking appointments in your own name. Signing off all case decisions. Full regulatory responsibility. Most IPs are directors or partners of their firm.
Useful resources
R3
Trade body for IPs. Excellent free technical resources.
IPA
Offers the CPI qualification and student membership.
ICAEW Insolvency
Free guidance, SIPs and technical resources.
JIEB
Official Joint Insolvency Examination Board information.
Insolvency Service
Official guidance on all insolvency processes.
INSOL / CPI
Information about the Certificate of Proficiency.
Legislation timeline
1948
Companies Act 1948
Consolidated company law including early provisions on winding up and liquidation — the foundation the 1986 Act would build on.
1977
Cork Committee Appointed
Review Committee on Insolvency Law and Practice appointed under Sir Kenneth Cork. Its 1982 report fundamentally shaped modern UK insolvency law.
1982
Cork Report Published
Over 400 recommendations for reform. Its central thesis — the rescue culture: viable businesses and jobs should be saved, not simply wound up.
1986
Insolvency Act 1986
The cornerstone of UK insolvency law. Introduced administration, CVA, IVA and modernised CVL, MVL, compulsory liquidation and bankruptcy. Still primary legislation today.
1986
CDDA 1986
Company Directors Disqualification Act. Established the director disqualification regime — IPs must report conduct in every insolvent case. Disqualification periods 2–15 years.
1986
Insolvency Rules 1986
Procedural rules underpinning the 1986 Act. Set detailed requirements for all insolvency processes. Replaced entirely by the 2016 Rules.
2002
Enterprise Act 2002
Most significant reform since 1986. Abolished administrative receivership for new floating charges, introduced the prescribed part for unsecured creditors, reduced bankruptcy discharge to 12 months.
2016
Insolvency Rules 2016
Replaced 1986 Rules entirely. Introduced deemed consent, creditor opt-out regime, updated fee approval requirements, modernised forms and electronic communications. In force from 6 April 2017.
2020
CIGA 2020
Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act. Introduced the standalone moratorium, the restructuring plan and restrictions on suppliers terminating contracts on insolvency.
2021
Pre-Pack Restrictions
Administration (Restrictions on Disposal) Regulations. From 30 April 2021 pre-pack sales to connected parties require independent evaluator or creditor approval.
2026
Statutory Redundancy Pay Cap
From 6 April 2026 the weekly pay cap increased to £751. Maximum statutory redundancy payment increased to £22,530.