Key Takeaways
- Advertising a winding up petition in The Gazette is a mandatory legal step that notifies creditors and the public about a company’s possible liquidation.
- You must publish the winding up notice in The Gazette at least seven days after serving the petition and not less than seven days before the hearing date.
- Failure to advertise a winding up petition correctly can halt the court proceedings and may prevent a winding up order from being made.
- The petition notice must include specific information, such as the company name, registered number, court details, petition date and hearing date.
- If you do not follow the correct process and timing for advertising a winding up petition, your petition may be dismissed or challenged by the company or other parties.
- You can check if a company has a winding up petition against it by searching The Gazette and the court register of winding up petitions.
- Steps for publishing a winding up petition include preparing the statutory notice, submitting it to The Gazette online, and ensuring it meets all court rules.
- It is possible to restrain or challenge the publication of a winding up petition, usually by applying for an injunction in court.
- Taking no action when faced with a winding up petition risks costly legal consequences, including the loss of company assets or business closure.
- Our firm is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 130 five-star reviews and a 4.9/5 rating from satisfied clients.
Contact our expert team for a Free Consultation on 0207 459 4037.
When Must You Advertise a Winding Up Petition in The Gazette UK?
Advertising a winding up petition in The Gazette is a strict legal requirement in England and Wales. If notice is not published at the correct time, or lacks key information, the court may refuse to make a winding up order. This often leads to costly delays and wasted fees for creditors and directors alike.
Publishing in The Gazette notifies other creditors, banks, suppliers, and the general public about the potential liquidation. It ensures transparency and gives all interested parties an opportunity to support or oppose the petition before any order is made by the court.
Early Gazette advertising protects stakeholder rights, meets statutory obligations, and avoids disputes over procedure. Failing to advertise leaves your petition open to challenge and can deny other creditors their lawful entitlement to participate.
When Must You Publish a Winding Up Petition Notice in The Gazette?
The timing for advertising a winding up petition is set by The Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, specifically Rule 7.10. You must advertise:
- At least 7 clear business days after serving the petition on the company
- Not less than 7 clear business days before the scheduled court hearing
“Clear business days” exclude weekends and public holidays. Missing these statutory deadlines is a frequent and fatal error, leading to wasted hearing fees and potential dismissal of your case.
You may also find our guide on where should you issue a winding-up petition? useful for selecting the right court for your case.
What Information Must Be Included in a Gazette Winding Up Petition Notice?
A valid Gazette notice must contain precise details dictated by the Insolvency Rules 2016 to be accepted by the court. These requirements are not discretionary and omissions frequently lead to costly delays:
- Correct company name and registered number (as shown at Companies House)
- Petitioner’s name and address
- Date petition was filed with the court and the court reference or claim number
- Full details of the hearing — court name, date, and time
- Concise summary of the grounds for the petition (for example, non-payment of a £30,000 trade debt)
- Instructions for other creditors or parties wishing to support or oppose
Every statutory detail must be present. Robust compliance eliminates preventable objections and shows the court you have managed the process diligently.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Advertise a Winding Up Petition in The Gazette
- Serve the Petition: Ensure a sealed copy of the winding up petition is served at the company’s registered office by a permitted method (usually first-class post or personal service).
- Prepare the Notice: Draft your advertisement, double-checking that all statutory details (including company details, case number, and hearing date) are complete and correct.
- Calculate Key Dates: Identify when notice can first be advertised (7 business days after service) and the latest possible date (7 business days before the hearing).
- Submit to The Gazette: Register or log in at www.thegazette.co.uk, select “Petition to Wind Up a Company”, upload your notice, and pay the publishing fee (currently £93).
- Retain Confirmation: Save the Gazette’s publication email confirmation and keep official records of the public notice for court evidence.
- Match All Filings: Make sure everyone involved (your lawyers, the Gazette, and the court) uses the same details without any inconsistencies.
Our expert insolvency team can file, publish, and monitor high-risk petitions with rapid turnaround to help you meet strict court deadlines.
How to Ensure Court Register and Gazette Notices Match Exactly
For your petition to progress, the details in The Gazette and the court register must be identical. The Insolvency Rules 2016 (particularly Rules 7.10 and 7.11) make matching details a legal requirement. Any discrepancies—even a one-day difference in the petition date or a minor typo—can trigger court queries or objections from the respondent company.
Court and Gazette records must match on company name, number, petition date, and hearing details. Double-check every document before publication.
What Are the Legal Consequences of Failing to Advertise a Winding Up Petition Correctly?
Failure to comply with Gazette notice rules often leads to:
- Striking out or dismissal of the petition by the Companies Court
- Adjournment and wasted costs on new hearing fees
- Debtor companies successfully challenging the process, preventing recovery of debts
Our specialist team routinely supports clients through urgent re-advertisement or handling challenges from debtor companies, minimising costs and disruption.
Can a Winding Up Petition Be Challenged or Restrained After Advertisement?
Companies can apply for an injunction to stop further advertisement of a winding up petition where justified. Common grounds include:
- The alleged debt is genuinely disputed on substantial legal grounds
- Breach of strict statutory timeframes or service errors
- Abuse of process such as advertisement before expiry of compliance periods
You may also find our article on how to stop a winding-up petition useful if you are considering urgent protective action.
How Do You Check If a Company Has a Winding Up Petition Against It?
To determine if there is a winding up petition active against a company:
- The Gazette: Visit www.thegazette.co.uk and search by company name or registration number.
- Companies Court Register: Contact the High Court or relevant regional court with the company’s details for a current list of petitions.
- Credit Referencing Agencies: These agencies often update clients about insolvency filings and Gazette advertisements.
Our real-time monitoring and legal follow-up services help creditors and suppliers stay informed and act quickly to protect their interests.
What Laws and Deadlines Apply to Advertising a Winding Up Petition?
Advertisement of winding up petitions is a statutory procedure governed by:
- Rule 7.10 of the Insolvency (England & Wales) Rules 2016: Notice must be advertised at least 7 clear business days after service and at least 7 clear business days before the hearing.
- Rule 7.11: Specifies all information which must be included in the notice.
Missed deadlines or information errors usually require adjournment or full dismissal—the court cannot overlook defects, regardless of circumstance.
Our Winning Approach to Advertising Winding Up Petitions
Our process ensures you act quickly and with accuracy:
- Fast, fixed-fee review of Gazette notices and statutory compliance
- Secure document and signature exchange on our GDPR-compliant portal
- Real-time WhatsApp or email status updates from our solicitors at every stage
- Step-by-step compliance checklist to eliminate error risks
- Immediate support for settlement, withdrawal, or opposition to a petition after advertisement
- No-win-no-fee review for select insolvency litigation and defences
We pride ourselves on top client feedback and consistently deliver cost-effective, court-tested results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Gazette and why is it used for winding up petitions?
The Gazette is the official public record of the UK government. It is required by law for advertising winding up petitions so that creditors and the public have notice and can intervene before court decisions.
How much does it cost to advertise a winding up petition in The Gazette?
As of 2025, the standard publishing fee is £93 per notice, payable online through the Gazette website when you upload your advert.
Can I advertise a winding up petition myself or do I need a solicitor?
You may submit a winding up petition notice directly, but using a solicitor is highly recommended. Our expert lawyers provide fixed-fee review and submission to ensure every legal requirement is met.
How do I correct an error in a published Gazette winding up notice?
Contact The Gazette immediately upon spotting the error. Correction usually needs court approval and may require re-advertisement, so fast legal advice is vital.
Does a winding up petition become public record after Gazette publication?
Yes, all winding up petitions advertised in The Gazette are accessible and searchable by anyone, creating a public record.
Can a winding up notice be withdrawn after advertisement?
A petition can be withdrawn or dismissed by the court. It is best practice to also advertise withdrawal in The Gazette to update the record and notify creditors.
What is the court register of winding up petitions and who can access it?
The Companies Court maintains a register accessible upon request by anyone wishing to check the status of a petition, typically via company name or number.
How can creditors respond after seeing a Gazette petition notice?
Creditors can file a notice of support, attend the court hearing, or lodge a formal objection. Acting quickly maximises chances for recovery or influencing the outcome.
Are there differences between compulsory and voluntary winding up petition adverts?
Yes. Only compulsory winding up petitions require Gazette advertising. Voluntary liquidations follow a separate and usually less-public process.
Who monitors compliance with Gazette and court register rules?
The Companies Court, its judges, and any affected creditors monitor and challenge non-compliance. The court itself may raise queries or demands for strict proof.
Get Expert Help With Winding Up Petition Gazette Notices
Advertising a winding up petition in The Gazette is a critical legal step for creditors and directors in insolvency proceedings. Strict rules, tight timeframes, and exact documentation mean that mistakes can cost you the right to pursue your claim or defend your business. Our team of specialist lawyers ensures every deadline is met, every notice complies with statutory rules, and every document aligns between court and Gazette.
Take the uncertainty out of the process with expert, court-tested support and fixed-fee guidance. For strategic advice or urgent help with Gazette publication, book a Free Consultation with our lawyers at 0207 459 4037.
