A winding-up petition is a formal court application seeking the compulsory liquidation of a company. It often follows the non-payment of a statutory demand and engages a defined insolvency process under the Insolvency Act 1986. This article explains how the process works, from statutory demand to petition and court hearing, and outlines the procedural options available to companies at each stage.

Winding up proceedings are one of the most powerful tools available to creditors—but only when used strategically. This insight explains how statutory demands and winding up petitions work, when they are appropriate, and how a measured, commercially focused approach can help secure payment while avoiding unnecessary legal cost and risk.