Peter Hedegaard Knudsen
Peter Hedegaard Knudsen provides advice on aspects of banking law and insolvency law, including issues of credit law and the law mortgages and pledges.
Peter has a right of audience before the Danish High Courts and is recognised by IFLR1000. He is a certified insolvency lawyer and has been appointed to the panel of insolvency attorneys set up by the Danish Debt Collection Agency within the judicial district of the Maritime and Commercial High Court.
Peter has vast knowledge of the financial services sector, and his previous career includes a position as Head of Section with the Association of Local Banks, Savings Banks and Cooperative Banks in Denmark as well as membership of various working groups set up by Finance Denmark. Peter advises banks on the handling of non-performing loans, where payment may be at risk, including in connection with restructuring and bankruptcy. In that respect, he assists in obtaining the best possible safeguarding of position and rights and in raising claims in matters often involving a complex loan and security structure.
Peter also advises banks on their liability as advisors and on regulatory issues. In this context, Peter’s advice extends to financial instruments etc. Moreover, his clients include creditors in general having exposures to enterprises in distress and he advises on e.g. the creation, safeguarding and enforcement of charges and other creditors’ rights. He further acts for banks in relation to disputes, including in proceedings relating to avoidance or damages, and conducts litigation before Danish district and High Courts.
Peter has wide-ranging practical experience and expertise within insolvency law, including bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings, compulsory dissolution and composition with creditors. Within the field of insolvency law, he has special expertise within insurance law, including reinsurance and legal matters relating to non-life insurance companies in distress. In addition, Peter is the trustee of a number of bankruptcy estates.
DLA Piper Denmark is the go-to advisor to the Danish Guarantee Fund for Non-life Insurance Companies and Peter provides advice on issues arising in connection with the bankruptcy of insurance companies.
The Association of Danish Insolvency Lawyers
InsolEurope
Foreningen for Bank- og Finansret (the Danish association for banking and finance law)
The Danish Association of Litigation Attorneys
The International Bar Association (IBA)
The panel of insolvency attorneys set up by the Danish Debt Collection Agency within the judicial district of the Maritime and Commercial High Court
The Copenhagen Bar Association
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Peter acts for the principal creditor in the bankruptcy proceedings against one of Denmark’s major car leasing companies. Peter advises on issues of credit law and the law mortgages and pledges, on property law and indirect taxes as well as on the assessment of management and auditor liability.
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Furthermore, Peter acts for the Danish Guarantee Fund for Non-life Insurance Companies in a number of significant claims adjudication proceedings as a result of bankruptcies in the insurance industry.
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Peter has conducted several precedent-setting cases in particular concerning issues of banking law, including cases relating to the construction of time-barring legislation or concerning the avoidance of top-up financial collateral arrangements (the Collateral Directive).
Partner, DLA Piper Denmark, since 2017
Partner, LETT (DLA Piper Denmark), 2011-2017
Attorney, LETT (DLA Piper Denmark), 2008-2011
Head of Section, The Association of Local Banks, Savings Banks and Cooperative Banks in Denmark, 2006-2008
Attorney, Gorrissen Federspiel, 2001-2006
Peter gives presentations and holds courses for the financial services sector on aspects of banking law, focusing mainly on issues of insolvency law.
"Peter is very DLAP - he is very knowledgeable and understands the issues the client encounters. He has a great personality and is always positive."
"In addition to being a skilled lawyer, he is good at understanding new issues and proposing workable solutions."
Peter is recognized by The Legal 500 within 'Insolvency'.
"Peter Hedegaard Knudsen and Henrik Lund-Koefoed are excellent in familiarising themselves with the specific issues we run into, and they are also good at conveying comprehensible answers."
"The DLA restructuring and insolvency team is great. They are very skilled, business-minded and are always ready to work on finding solutions for the clients and cases they are working on. They are well-connected and ready to use it advantageously for their clients."
