Bartram & Co (Lutterworth) Limited: High Court Hearing Analysis

Bartram & Co (Lutterworth) Limited (04059700) is scheduled for a remote hearing at the Insolvency and Companies Court on 20 July 2026. This case (CR-2026-002701) presents a specific procedural conflict for creditors and corporate finance advisers: the company is currently subject to a proposal to strike off under s.1000 of the Companies Act 2006. When an active High Court application intersects with a pending dissolution, counterparties must act immediately to prevent the entity from ceasing to exist before the legal matter concludes.

High Court hearing details

| Detail | Specification |

| :--- | :--- |

| Case Name | Bartram & Co (UK) Ltd (Re: Bartram & Co (Lutterworth) Limited) |

| Case Number | CR-2026-002701 |

| Court | Insolvency and Companies Court |

| Date | 20 July 2026 |

| Time | 10:30am |

| Venue | Remotely via MS Teams |

| Case Type | Application |

Procedural conflict: ICC applications and pending dissolution

Incorporated in August 2000, this real estate agency (SIC 68310) has operated for over two decades. Its current status on the Companies House register as 'active - proposal to strike off' is a critical red flag. The Registrar initiates a compulsory strike-off when they believe a company is no longer operating, often triggered by overdue accounts or confirmation statements.

For creditors, a pending strike-off during an active ICC application creates a severe recovery risk. If the company is dissolved, its assets pass to the Crown as bona vacantia, and any pending litigation or insolvency proceedings are halted. To proceed with an application, whether it is a dispute over a statutory demand, a director's misfeasance claim, or a precursor to a winding up petition search, a creditor must formally object to the strike-off to keep the company on the register.

Scenario: Halting dissolution to enforce a claim

Consider a composite scenario involving a commercial landlord pursuing rent arrears from a retail tenant. The tenant ceases trading and ignores Companies House filing requirements, triggering a compulsory strike-off notice in The Gazette. The landlord, holding an unsatisfied statutory demand, prepares an application to the Insolvency and Companies Court.

Before the court will hear the application, the landlord's solicitor must file an objection to the strike-off with the Registrar, supplying evidence of the impending legal action. Once the strike-off is suspended, the landlord can proceed with the hearing and, if successful, secure a winding-up order to appoint an official receiver. If the landlord fails to object in time and the company is dissolved, they face the costly and complex process of applying for a court order to restore the company to the register under s.1029 of the Companies Act 2006 before they can recover any funds.

Creditor intervention framework

When a debtor is listed in the ICC cause list while facing a strike-off, professional advisers should execute the following verification steps:

1. Lodge a formal objection: Immediately file an objection with Companies House to suspend the pending strike-off, citing the active ICC application (CR-2026-002701) as grounds.

2. Review existing security: Conduct a company charge check to identify any registered debentures or fixed charges. If a secured lender holds a floating charge, they may appoint an administrator out of court, bypassing the ICC application entirely.

3. Investigate related petitions: Determine if the current application is a precursor to or defence against a winding-up petition under s.124 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

4. Establish automated tracking: Implement free company monitoring to receive immediate alerts if the strike-off is suspended, a new Gazette notice is published, or directors attempt to resign.

Defensible due diligence

Traditionally, monitoring a distressed counterparty requires paralegals or credit controllers to manually refresh the Companies House register, cross-reference daily PDF cause lists from the Rolls Building, and search The Gazette for strike-off notices. This fragmented approach creates a high risk of missing a critical filing, particularly the narrow objection window for a compulsory strike-off.

Corp Intel automates this risk assessment. By aggregating court cause lists, Gazette notices, and Companies House data into a single timeline, professionals receive immediate, actionable alerts. Instead of discovering a strike-off notice weeks after publication, advisers are notified the day the status changes, providing maximum time to file an objection and protect their client's position.

FAQ

What does 'proposal to strike off' mean during an active court case?

It indicates the Registrar intends to dissolve the company, usually for failing to file statutory returns. If litigation is ongoing, a creditor or applicant must formally object to the strike-off to ensure the company remains a legal entity capable of being sued or wound up.

Can a company be wound up if a strike-off is already pending?

Yes. A winding-up order supersedes a strike-off. However, the petitioning creditor must usually object to the strike-off to suspend the dissolution process while the court hears the winding-up petition.

How do professionals attend a remote ICC hearing on MS Teams?

Public and professional access to remote hearings is managed by the court listing office. Interested parties must email the relevant Rolls Building or regional justice centre clerk in advance, citing the case number (e.g., CR-2026-002701) to request the video link.

What is the difference between an 'application' and a 'petition' in the ICC?

A petition is a formal request to the court to wind up a company or declare an individual bankrupt. An application covers procedural matters, such as injunctions to restrain advertisement of a petition, setting aside a statutory demand, or seeking directions for a liquidator.

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This report summarises entries on the published court cause list. Presentation of a petition or application is not a determination of insolvency; the outcome is a matter for the court. Companies believing they are named incorrectly should email contact@corp-intel.co.uk.

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