DLB Investigations Ltd Faces Winding-Up Petition
A winding-up petition was presented against Market Harborough-based DLB Investigations Ltd on 22 October 2026, according to records filed at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions under case number CR-2026-008238. Presentation of a petition is the earliest formal stage of compulsory liquidation proceedings under the Insolvency Act 1986 and does not constitute a judicial finding of insolvency.
Creditors and counterparties monitoring exposure can cross-reference the filing against the Corp Intel daily cause list. Details on the petitioner, instructing solicitors, and claimed debt remain restricted at this pre-advertisement stage.
Petition details
- Company name: DLB Investigations Ltd
- Court reference: CR-2026-008238
- Filing date: 22 October 2026
- Case type: Companies - Petition - Winding Up Petition
- Filing registry: Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions (CE-File public search)
- Petitioner identity: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Debt value: [Check the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Hearing details: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
Company snapshot
Public records maintained by Companies House show the business incorporated on 7 March 2012 as a private limited company under company number 07979675.
- Registered office: C/O Mayfield & Co 6, Harborough Innovation Centre, Airfield Business Park, Market Harborough, England, LE16 7WB
- Company status: Active
- SIC code: 80300 (Investigation activities)
- Financial statements: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
Further corporate filings and historical lodgements can be reviewed directly on the DLB Investigations Ltd company profile.
Directors and ownership
Companies House records document the following appointments and beneficial ownership entries for DLB Investigations Ltd:
- Sally Anne Booker: Appointed company secretary on 7 March 2012. Appointed director on 4 January 2014. Public records state British nationality, country of residence as England, and month and year of birth as November 1973.
- David Laurence Booker: Appointed director on 6 April 2015. Public records state British nationality, country of residence as England, and month and year of birth as September 1968. He previously served as director from 7 March 2012 until resigning on 17 January 2014.
On the register of Persons with Significant Control (PSC):
- Mr David Laurence Booker: Notified on 6 April 2016 as holding 25% to 50% of shares and 25% to 50% of voting rights.
- Mrs Sally Anne Booker: Notified on 6 April 2016 as holding 25% to 50% of shares and 25% to 50% of voting rights.
These entries reflect factual register filings. An entry on the public register carries no implication of personal responsibility or wrongdoing concerning the court petition.
Recent filings and Gazette activity
No recent statutory notices concerning this petition have appeared in The Gazette. Under the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, a petitioner must serve the petition on the registered office and observe statutory waiting periods before gazetting.
| Step | Statutory timeline | Record status |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Registry presentation | Day 0 (22 October 2026) | Confirmed (CR-2026-008238) |
| Service on company | Typically within 5-14 business days | Confidential / In progress |
| Gazette advertisement | Minimum 7 business days after service | None published |
| Court hearing | Usually 6-10 weeks post-filing | [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor) |
What this means for suppliers, creditors and counterparties
The presentation of a winding-up petition triggers critical legal restrictions. Under section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986, any disposition of company property, transfer of shares, or alteration in the status of members made after the date of presentation is void if a winding-up order is subsequently granted, unless validated by the court.
Commercial counterparties should apply a structured risk-ranking approach:
1. Freeze credit terms: Shift unfulfilled orders or outstanding contracts to cash-on-delivery or advance payment.
2. Review retention of title: Confirm whether goods supplied under ongoing contracts remain covered by valid retention-of-title clauses.
3. Assess payment risk: Payments received from the company after 22 October 2026 carry clawback risk if the court does not issue a section 127 validation order.
4. Check security registrations: Review registered charges or debentures to evaluate priority over unsecured assets.
For example, if an equipment supplier delivers £15,000 of materials on open account 10 days after a petition is presented, and the company later enters compulsory liquidation, the liquidator may demand the return of funds paid or treat the delivered goods as part of the general liquidation pool. Running an independent winding up search prior to major credit extensions mitigates this exposure.
For conveyancers, lawyers and lenders
For property transactions, loan originations, and asset refinancing, conducting a formal company search immediately before exchange or completion is a mandatory standard of practice. Overlooking a live petition risks the entire transaction being declared void under section 127. When formal proof of an unencumbered search is required for transaction bibles or lender compliance, professionals [Get a Winding Up Search Certificate →](#offers-certificate) before clearing funds.
To identify risks on other entities across an enterprise group or supply chain, legal teams can execute a winding up petition search to identify early filings before public gazetting.
How to investigate further
Traditional due diligence requires checking Companies House WebCHeck, monitoring The Gazette, and contacting court listings manually. While register updates can lag by days, automated intelligence tools aggregate petition signals from the Royal Courts of Justice and regional registries as soon as cases are logged.
Creditors needing regular tracking of DLB Investigations Ltd or wider counterparty portfolios should set up free company monitoring to receive instant notifications when new filings, charges, or Gazette notices are registered.
FAQ
What does a winding-up petition mean for a company?
A petition is an application made to the court, typically by an unpaid creditor alleging a debt exceeding £750 under section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986, requesting an order to place the company into compulsory liquidation. It is not an order; the matter must be determined by a judge.
How soon does a petition appear in The Gazette?
A petitioner cannot advertise the petition in The Gazette until at least seven business days have passed following formal service on the company's registered office, unless granted specific court permission.
Can a company trade after a petition is presented?
A company can legally continue to trade, but section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 makes asset disposals void retrospectively if a winding-up order is made. Banks commonly freeze accounts once made aware of a petition to avoid validation liabilities.
What happens at the first court hearing?
The court may grant a winding-up order, dismiss the petition if the debt has been satisfied or is genuinely disputed, or adjourn proceedings to allow settlement negotiations or an administration application.
Disclaimer
This report summarises a petition recorded at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions. Presentation of a petition 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.