Examinership

Protect and restructure your business

Examinership offers a critical lifeline for businesses in financial distress, enabling them to continue operations while undergoing a structured restructuring process. It provides a window of court protection, which is essential for restructuring debts, securing necessary investment, and navigating out of financial difficulties.

At BDO, we guide companies and stakeholders through every stage of the examinership process. Our expertise ensures a structured path to recovery, protecting viable businesses from liquidation and helping to provide a better solution for creditors. Whether you're facing cash flow issues, unsustainable debt, or operational disruption, examinership offers the opportunity for a fresh start — with the right support and guidance.

What is Examinership and how does it work?


Examinership is a court-supervised process designed for companies that are fundamentally viable but in financial distress. During the examinership period, a company receives protection from creditors while it works to restructure its debts and operations. This process can help businesses avoid liquidation and create a more sustainable path forward.

The main goal is to provide a breathing space for the business to reorganise and negotiate with creditors, secure investment, and ultimately restore financial stability. Examinership allows companies to:

  • Protect value by keeping the business operational while restructuring
  • Reduce debt through negotiations with creditors
  • Secure the necessary investment to stabilise and grow the business
  • Maintain control of day-to-day operations under expert supervision

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Our Examinership Services

BDO’s Business Restructuring team brings decades of experience to the table, guiding businesses, directors, and stakeholders through the complexities of the examinership process. We offer comprehensive, end-to-end support, ensuring minimal disruption and clear steps toward a viable future.


Our team conducts a thorough assessment of your business’s financial position, providing strategic recommendations for the restructuring process. We ensure you understand all your options, including the potential for investment and debt reduction.

We help secure necessary funding to stabilise and grow your business, collaborating with our corporate finance specialists to attract investors who are aligned with your recovery strategy.

A key part of the examinership process is the creation of a Scheme of Arrangement, a court-approved plan to restructure your company’s debts. We work closely with your business to develop a realistic, viable plan that can secure a successful outcome and a stable financial future.

We manage all aspects of the examinership procedure, from preparing the Independent Accountant’s Report required by the High Court to reporting on progress throughout the process. We handle the legal, financial, and operational elements so you can focus on running your business.


The role of the Examiner

As the examiner, we take on a key role in overseeing the restructuring process. Our responsibilities include:


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Sourcing investors and assisting with Investment Agreements: Attracting the necessary funding to support the restructuring

Classifying creditors: Organising creditors into different classes for negotiations

Formulating a Scheme of Arrangement: Creating a court-approved plan for debt restructuring

Examining the company’s affairs: If necessary, conducting an in-depth review to ensure the best approach for restructuring

Monitoring performance: Overseeing business performance during the protection period to ensure objectives are being met

Managing creditor meetings: Facilitating transparent and open communication with creditors

Court reporting: Providing detailed progress reports to the court on the status of the restructuring.

Contact BDO today to explore your options and get the expert guidance you need to navigate the Examinership process with confidence.

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Examinership and Creditor Support


At BDO, we also provide valuable support to creditors of companies entering the examinership process. This includes reviewing Independent Accountant’s Reports and identifying potential areas of challenge. By doing so, we ensure that creditors are fully informed and can take the necessary steps to protect their interests. 

Whether you're a director looking for ways to protect your business, or a creditor navigating the process, our team offers the expertise and support needed to make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes.


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Why Choose BDO for Examinership?


At BDO, our approach is centred around achieving sustainable recovery for businesses in financial distress. With our proven track record in guiding businesses through examinerships, we ensure that every client receives:

  • Proven success: A strong history of guiding businesses through the examinership process and helping them achieve sustainable recoveries
  • Expert-led solutions: Our team works closely with directors, investors, and creditors to develop tailored solutions that are both practical and effective
  • Seamless process management: We handle the complexity of the examinership process, managing legal, financial, and operational aspects to allow you to focus on running your business
  • Clear outcomes: Our goal is always to reduce debt, secure investment, and provide a stable financial future for the business

Trust the guidance of our Examinership specialists

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David O'Connor

Partner, BDO Dublin
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Jim Hamilton

Consultant, BDO Dublin
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Peter Doherty

Director, BDO Dublin
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Stephen O'Flaherty

Partner, BDO Limerick
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