On 28 March 2025, Mr Justice Adam Johnson sanctioned a restructuring plan relating to OutsideClinic Limited, the UK’s leading provider of home visit eye and hearing care services.

The Plan raised interesting questions about the treatment of HMRC, resulting in HMRC appearing in court for a second time – under its new policy to appear in court to support restructuring plans rather than simply voting in favour of them – to support the Plan. The meetings of creditors, and in particular one meeting, where only one creditor of four in the class had attended, but where that one creditor alone represented 83% by value of that class, also gave rise to a question about the meaning of ‘a meeting’ for the purpose of Part 26A and whether the court needs to cram down such a class in those circumstances. Written reasons for the decision will follow.

Matthew Weaver KC and Lauren Kreamer, instructed by Shoosmiths LLP, acted for OutsideClinic Limited. Interpath Limited advised in relation to the Plan, and Will Wright and Natasha Harbinson will be the Plan Administrators.