Per Astrup Madsen

Partner
Per Astrup Madsen

Per Astrup Madsen is head of DLA Piper Denmark’s Finance Group in Copenhagen and provides advice on all aspects of insolvency law, including restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings.  

Per is a certified arbitrator and insolvency lawyer and 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. He has a right of audience before the Danish Supreme Court and is recognised by IFLR1000, Chambers and The Legal 500 within restructuring and insolvency.  

Per has been appointed by the bankruptcy courts as a trustee or restructuring administrator in more than 500 proceedings on the restructuring or bankruptcy of enterprises, including the Copenship Group, Informationsteknik Scandinavia A/S and Tribe Hotels etc. He has acted for clients including Danish foundation Verner Overgaards Familiefond, Danish bank Sparekassen Sjælland and the Export & Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) (formerly the Danish Growth Fund). 

Per acts for both distressed enterprises, creditors and buyers throughout all phases of an insolvency process. He advises distressed enterprises on restructuring and on the potential liability for continued operations and potentially voidable transactions. Per negotiates with creditors on composition, merger, sale, etc., and acts as an advisor in matters involving a claim for damages against the management of an enterprise. Furthermore, he provides assistance to distressed enterprises through the Early Warning programme sponsored by the EU and the Danish Government. 

Per advises creditors on the handling of non-performing loans and collection of receivables. He acts for mortgagees and other chargees and advises on cross-border issues relating to insolvency law, including  as regards taking possession of assets subject to company charges and receivables charges as well as secured claims. He also advises purchasers in connection with the acquisition of business activities or assets from a bankruptcy estate. Furthermore, Per represents advisors faced with a claim for avoidance or a claim for damages or compensation.

Per is an active member of DLA Piper’s global Hospitality & Leisure sector team. 

He has also authored the article ”Petitions for bankruptcy, third party payments and avoidance under the Danish Bankruptcy Act” (published in Danish only), Erhvervsjuridisk Tidsskrift (a Danish journal of commercial law) in 2022.  

Qualifications
Education
Certified arbitrator, the education programme for arbitrators operated by the Association of Danish Law Firms
2015
Certified insolvency lawyer, the Danish Association of Insolvency Lawyers
2013
Admitted to the Danish Bar
2004
Master of Law, University of Copenhagen
2001
Specialised subject exam, the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law, University of Oslo
2001
Memberships

The appeals committee of the Danish Football Association (DBU), division 2 

The Danish Association of Insolvency Lawyers 

The International Bar Association (IBA) 

International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL International) 

The Danish Association of Litigation Attorneys  

The panel of insolvency attorneys set up by the Danish Debt Collection Agency within the judicial district of the Maritime and Commercial High Court 

Admissions
Right of audience before the Danish Supreme Court
2009
Experience
Recent highlights

Per has been appointed trustee and restructuring administrator in the following matters: 

  • The bankruptcy estates of the Copenship Group 
  • Beltsupply A/S under konkurs (in bankruptcy) 
  • Informationsteknik Scandinavia A/S under konkurs (in bankruptcy) 
  • Kids Multibrands of Denmark ApS under rekonstruktion (in restructuring) 
  • Fredensborg Golf Club under rekonstruktion (in restructuring) 
  • Bios Ambulance Denmark Services A/S under konkurs (in bankruptcy) 
  • Fine Wine Invest ApS under konkurs (in bankruptcy) 
Career highlights

Partner, DLA Piper Denmark, since 2017 

Partner, LETT (DLA Piper Denmark), 2011-2017 

Partner, Nordia, 2008-2011 

Attorney, Nordia, 2005-2008  

Attorney, Poul Schmith/Kammeradvokaten (the legal advisor to the Danish Government), 2004-2005 

Assistant Attorney, Poul Schmith/Kammeradvokaten (the legal advisor to the Danish Government), 2001-2004 

Rankings
IFLR1000

Per Astrup Madsen is recognized as ’Notable Practitioner’ by IFLR1000 within ‘Restructuring and Insolvency’.

"Responsive, to the point an a “can do” attitude" .

"Excellent lawyer".

Chambers

Per is recognized by Chambers within 'Restructuring/Insolvency'.

"DLA Piper has a strong ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters in an efficient way."

"The team is straightforward and very easy to work with. They are able to deal with many different matters at the same time and will always help us in any given situation."

"I found the team to be very capable, responsive and respectful of each other. DLA Piper has an outstanding team over there."

"Per Astrup Madsen is particularly active in litigation relating to insolvencies. He is well known for being frequently appointed as bankruptcy trustee and administrator."

Legal 500

Per Astrup Madsen is recognized by the Legal 500 within 'Insolvency'.

"Per Astrup Madsen is very experienced and able to handle complex matters."

"DLA Piper is large in Denmark and has an international approach to the tasks that no other law firm has in Denmark. In addition, their network ensures an international perspective. DLA Piper is among the leading lawyers in M&A and Insolvency."

"Per Astrup Madsen is always straight to the point and never accepts half a solution."

Insights

Petitions for bankruptcy, third party payments and avoidance under the Danish Bankruptcy Act” (published in Danish only), Erhvervsjuridisk Tidsskrift (a Danish journal of commercial law), no. 2, 2022.