This article describes Courtchex, which is a winding up search within Business Law

What is a Winding Up Search?

A winding up search is the process of checking whether a company in England and Wales has had any winding up petitions filed against it. In addition to petitions, the search also covers:

• Notices of intention/appointment of an administrator
• Winding up orders
• Moratoriums

This search helps confirm a company’s financial and legal standing, particularly before entering significant transactions.

How is the Search Carried Out?

The search is performed using the official online Court Records at the Insolvency and Companies List (Royal Courts of Justice and the Rolls Building).

If a winding up petition is identified, Dye & Durham contacts the court directly to verify the status:

• Dismissed or withdrawn – no ongoing risk.
• Still active – details of the next hearing date are provided.

Why is a Winding Up Search Important?

• Risk mitigation: Carrying out a search immediately before completion ensures that a company is not subject to a winding up petition, protecting you from entering into agreements with a company that may be insolvent.
• Convenience with Dye & Durham:
  • Avoid the difficulty of getting through to the Companies Court directly, where calls are premium rate and responses are limited.
  • With our online service, you receive a PDF report within 15 minutes, providing clear, written evidence of the results.
  • No subscription is required – orders are charged on a pay-as-you-go basis with no minimum commitments.

How to Order a Winding Up Search

1. Sign up with Dye & Durham to receive your unique user ID and password.
2. Log in to the platform and enter:
   • Company name and number
   • Report recipient’s email
   • Your internal file reference
3. Add multiple searches if needed using the “+” button.
4. Receive confirmation via email with an order ID as proof of submission.
5. Report delivery: Once completed, the report will be emailed to you as a PDF.