David Cousen

Senior Member of the Commercial Litigation Department and Head of the Personal Insolvency Department

David started his career with a small provincial law firm in 1979 and moved to Manchester, joining Leak Almond and Parkinson (now Cobbetts) in 1985. He has gained extensive experience in many areas of law and has specialised in Commercial Litigation for over 25years and, in addition, personal insolvency over the last 10 years.

During his career, David has dealt with (and continues to deal with) many contentious matters. including, emergency freezing injunctions, professional negligence claims (non medical), breach of contract, intellectual property disputes (passing off, trade mark and copyright infringements), boundary disputes, defamation (libel and slander), personal and corporate insolvency, director disqualification applications, building disputes, personal guarantees, partnership and shareholder disputes.

The Personal Insolvency Department is very much David's domain and he deals with all aspects of personal insolvency, primarily acting for people already in financial difficulties (bankrupt / defending bankruptcy proceedings or in an IVA). To a lesser extent, he also acts for Insolvency Practitioners and therefore has a good understanding of both sides of the various arguments that arise. Much of his work is aimed at helping people who are asset rich but cash poor and whilst already bankrupt, wish to recover or protect their assets either by pursuing an annulment or rescission of their bankruptcy order or by buying back assets, usually their home. He also undertakes cases relating to Transactions at an Undervalue, Preference, Suspension of Automatic Discharge, Bankruptcy Restriction l Income Payment Orders and Bankruptcy Offences. The department is rapidly expanding and is seen as key area within the development of the firm.


E: david.cousen@fdl-law.co.uk