R3 Member Spotlight: Katrina Mather

16 April 2025

Katrina is a Barrister with Gatehouse Chambers and has a busy advisory and court practice specialising in insolvency and commercial law. She is ranked as a Leading Junior for insolvency in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, and is interim chair of the R3 London & South East regional committee.

What made you decide to specialise in insolvency law?

I studied insolvency law as part of my undergraduate degree and really enjoyed the technical nature of the law and rules but also the fact that the body of law is based on a coherent and cogent set of values and principles which form the foundations of every insolvency case. From a practical perspective, I like that I am able to practice a technical area of law which still has a human element, be that in the context of a personal insolvency getting to play out my inner frustrated spy interrogating documents and records to find the smoking gun, who did what when or where the assets have gone or in a corporate context when I’m working with IPs, directors and/or shareholders who really care about a business and want the best outcome for everyone concerned. 

Is there a piece of advice you wish you had been given at the start of your career?

There are two very valuable pieces of advice. The first is “say yes”; you do not know where each opportunity is going to lead you and the more you say yes, the more doors you open. The second is somewhat the opposite: “Remember this is just your job”. This does not diminish the importance of the work that any of us do in the profession, but we all need balance. This profession is unpredictable, we all get urgent cases and have to work long hours, so there is very rarely a true equilibrium in the work-life paradigm. But, it is sage advice to remember that work is one part of your life. Your relationships, family, happiness and health are other parts of your life which need and deserve your time and attention.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your current role?

Winning cases is definitely an incredibly rewarding part of my role, particularly when I have been involved in a case from the outset. Advising on prospects, assisting in securing funding if needed, and informing and steering the litigation strategy all contribute to the satisfaction of a successful outcome. However, ‘winning’ does not necessarily look like getting a judgment in favour of my client – and often the best result is keeping a matter out of court and getting a solid commercial deal for the client, rather than them ending up in years of expensive litigation.

How important is regional representation and networking in our profession – and what role do organisations like R3 play in that?

Regional representation within our industry is hugely important. There are issues on a regional level which differ around the country and those issues could potentially be lost if we did not focus on regional representation. I also think the perception that London is the centre of the universe is changing. I frequently work with excellent IPs and solicitors in the North Eastern, Eastern and Midland regions by way of example. These are often some of my best cases. Organisations like R3 are integral in ensuring there are regional networks where insolvency professionals can come together, share knowledge, socialise and lobby for essential changes and reforms.

How do you stay updated and continue to develop your expertise as a barrister in such a fast-evolving area of law?

I rely on technical updates such as those produced by R3 and round ups of the latest judgments which have been handed down. I am very fortunate to be a member of Gatehouse Chambers where we have a collegiate approach to working so I frequently hear about the cases that are being heard in the courts and those which are awaiting judgment. I am the editor of the Gatehouse Chambers insolvency newsletter so that keeps me on my toes in terms of making sure I am up to date! Beyond these sources, I attend industry conferences and am very much looking forward to attending the R3 Annual Conference in Malta.

What do you consider to be your biggest achievement in the profession to date?

I acted as junior counsel in Re Kelcrown, a case that dealt with limitation periods for insolvency applications which is a topic that is becoming ever more present with delays in cases being administered. In Kelcrown, the liquidators had issued an application on the eve of limitation and were required to serve the application 14 clear days before the date fixed for the first hearing. The liquidator then asked the court to adjourn the first hearing because they had not yet obtained ATE (After The Event) insurance. The unilateral adjournment of the first hearing was the equivalent to an extension of time for service analogous to Part 7 of the CPR. It is very difficult to get an extension of time for service of particulars of claim post limitation having expired and the liquidator had effectively achieved this by the back door.

I am also very proud to be the interim Chair of the R3 London & South East committee and do my bit to support R3 and its members.

What’s the one thing you wish people knew about the profession?

I wish that people outside the profession knew more about the good work and outcomes that we achieve as insolvency professionals. Insolvency is often seen as negative and yet a huge amount of our work involves rescuing and helping distressed companies recover, saving jobs and thereby boosting the economy.