Shevy Narendra

Principal Associate

Phone:: +44 (0)20 7822 7153
Email:: shevy.narendra@weightmans.com
Office:: London

Shevy specialises in all aspects of contentious insolvency (personal and corporate), acting for both defendants and claimants in the UK and abroad. She has particular experience in defending directors facing disqualification proceedings and claims brought by liquidators or administrators.

Shevy has a strong track record in defending director disqualification claims by the Insolvency Service on behalf of the Secretary of State. She also defends directors and former directors against claims arising from alleged breaches of director duties, wrongful trading, unlawful dividends, overdrawn directors’ loan accounts, preference and transactions at an undervalue. Shevy regularly achieves successful outcomes for directors defending investigations by liquidators and administrators.

As well as directors, insolvency practitioners, D&O insurers, accountants and other professional advisers instruct Shevy for her combination of technical and specialist insolvency expertise, strategic judgement and practical understanding of the personal and commercial consequences of a claim.

Shevy takes pride in her work and is often complimented on her methodical, responsive and efficient approach. She endeavours to go above and beyond to achieve the best possible commercial outcome for each and every client. Her calm and personable nature enables her to guide clients through what are often difficult and stressful situations.

Shevy regularly advises and acts for:

SMEs, directors and former directors on matters arising out of director disqualification claims by the Insolvency Service on behalf of the Secretary of State, defending liquidator claims and enquiries by HMRC relating to Fraud, Personal Liability Notices (for NIC and Income Tax (PAYE)), including appeals in the First-tier Tax Tribunal; and
insolvency office holders, creditors and other stakeholders on disputes arising out of corporate insolvency
Insurers in respect of subrogated recovery claims if the liquidated company does not have the benefit of policy coverage.
Local authorities and creditors in obtaining an insolvency administration order in relation to the insolvent estate of a deceased person.

Shevy has been involved in the following cases:

successfully defending multiple directors facing court proceedings under the Company Director disqualification Act 1986 and/or discontinuing any proceedings against them by the Insolvency Service on behalf of the Secretary of State
obtaining judgement for several million pounds on behalf of an insolvency practitioner/liquidator of a company on unlawful directors’ loans/breach of directors’ duties/transactions at an undervalue action against several directors
successfully defending multiple winding up petitions, including a petition debt by HMRC for £3.5m and issuing applications for validation orders on an urgent basis
successfully obtaining a £2m judgment against a former accountant in relation to an international fraud case by directors of a property company, including successfully issuing an ex-parte injunction for a worldwide freezing order
acting for the high profile shareholders group action against the Royal Bank of Scotland relating to the £12 billion rights issue in 2008, from pre-action to issue of proceedings

Shevy quickly got over the detail and understood the key aspects of the case. She helped create a detailed and robust response to the information requested and helped me to communicate the complex circumstances in a way that the Insolvency Service would understand and that would help explain the circumstances and history. As a result of the advice guidance and expertise the Insolvency Service wrote to say they were no longer pursuing a director disqualification investigation into the Directorship.
Former company director
The Insolvency Service was seeking a period of disqualification of 4 years in relation to their allegations of trading to the detriment of HMRC. I instructed Shevy and her team in light of their specialist expertise in director disqualification and track record in defending director disqualification claims. Fantastic work was undertaken by Shevy and Bella to the extent that after one substantive response to the section 16 letter, the Insolvency Service discontinued their claim against me.
Company Director
I highly recommend Shevy Narendra and Bella Bodner who provided invaluable advice and strategic guidance from the outset when dealing with the Insolvency Service on behalf of the Secretary of State regarding their claim relating to misuse of a bounce back loan. The team at Weightmans were always responsive and provided an excellent result for me when they were instructed in the middle of defending disqualification court proceedings which I would not have achieved without their expertise in this field.
Company Director
I instructed Shevy and Weightmans to represent me and guide me through the claims of Covid BBL misuse raised by the Insolvency Services. Throughout the process, Shevy provided clear, straightforward advice and always explained my options at each stage. She consistently went the extra mile to support me and made sure I understood the situation and the claims in simple, accessible terms.
Company Director