The Sounds of the Baskerville

In this milestone episode of The Sounds of the Baskerville, James Flaherty and Chris Baskerville pull back the curtain on two decades of insolvency tales, hard-earned lessons, and the entrepreneurial spirit that keeps small businesses alive. From COVID-era chaos to digital-age dilemmas, they reflect on the top themes that shaped their journey—and yours. Whether you're a seasoned business owner, a...

Episode 99 of The Sounds of the Baskerville equips directors, creditors, and entrepreneurs with the tools to “Get Smart” about cash flow and insolvency risks. Host James Flaherty teams up with insolvency expert Chris Baskerville to reveal why cash is king—and how overlooking a 12-week forecast can leave your business exposed. From the red flags of rounded-sum invoice payments to the dangers of tri...

In this episode of The Sounds of the Baskerville, James Flaherty sits down with trustee Chris Baskerville to unpack the often-overlooked realities of personal insolvency. Together, they explore the lasting effects of the Hayne Royal Commission, which saw bankruptcies fall dramatically from 30,000 a year to just 10,000, and reveal why banks are now leaning toward alternatives over formal bankruptcy...

In this episode of The Sounds of the Baskerville, James Flaherty and insolvency expert Chris Baskerville reveal the high-stakes reality of choosing the right legal support when your business is on the line. Forget the theory—this is a straight-talking, fast-moving look at real disputes, tough settlements, and the dangers of relying on a generalist when you need a specialist. With colourful stories...

In this action-packed episode of The Sounds of the Baskerville, James Flaherty and insolvency expert Chris Baskerville channel a little Wesley Snipes flair to unpack a high-stakes corporate collapse. The case? One trustee company controlling five separate trusts—saving a few hundred dollars a year in compliance costs, but setting the stage for a catastrophic unravelling. When litigation, unpaid de...

Recorded live in Bali at the HAA Assist Collaboration Conference, this high-energy episode of The Sounds of the Baskerville pulls back the curtain on some of Australia’s most audacious financial schemes. James Flaherty and insolvency expert Chris Baskerville share gripping real-world stories—from chasing down millions through last-minute freezing orders to uncovering forged investment documents an...

They call him in when there is a dodgy scheme to be unpicked. Can he get back the money stolen from Mum and Dad investors by fraudsters who game the system? And how does he even know where to look for the assets hidden in odd legal structures, or just missing?  Listen in to Chris Baskerville live in the first of 2 podcasts recorded live at the HA Assist/GM Advisory Collaboration Year Conference in...

In Episode 93 of The Sounds of the Baskerville, James Flaherty and Chris Baskerville take you inside the often-misunderstood world of insolvency—where fairness, strategy, and timing can make or break a recovery. If you've ever wondered how small business liquidations work behind the scenes, this is the episode for you. Chris breaks down the tools available to liquidators to claw back value, protec...

In this timely episode of The Sounds of the Baskerville, James Flaherty and insolvency expert Chris Baskerville unpack ASIC’s latest report on the Small Business Restructuring (SBR) regime—and what it really tells us about the state of Australian businesses post-COVID. With over 3,400 companies having used the SBR process and more than $100 million returned to creditors, the numbers are promising....

The courtroom battle may be won, but the war isn't over. In this powerful sequel episode of The Sounds of the Baskerville, James Flaherty reunites with insolvency specialist Chris Baskerville to explore what comes after securing a $1.5 million court judgment. With the land still unsold and an appeal looming, Chris walks us through the gritty realities of recovering funds on behalf of mum-and-dad i...

In this gripping episode of The Sounds of Baskerville, James Flaherty sits down with insolvency expert Chris Baskerville to unpack a real-life legal drama involving a $1.5 million court battle. Chris reveals the details behind a high-stakes dispute in the Victorian Supreme Court over a failed land deal, where a liquidated company sought the return of investor funds. With sharp insights, contract i...

Science fiction, a water treatment plant, and a guy owing money getting nabbed while belted up in his allocated seat, just before he escapes on a plane. Another eclectic combination of topics packed into just one episode – this time, the latest, number 89, of The Sounds of The Baskerville Podcast . Now in its fifth season, Chris Baskerville continues to delve into insolvency and restructuring, and...

“What does it mean to be match fit?” In the first episode of Season 5 of "Sounds of the Baskerville," hosts Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty, along with special guest Ginette Muller, delve into what need to occur before small business restructuring. The episode kicks off with a discussion on the critical timing for businesses to seek restructuring help, emphasising the dangers of waiting until...

In the second espode of the season 5 prologue of the TSOTB podcast, Patrick Schweizer from ALARES joins Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty to discuss the changes and challenges faced by small businesses. The guys reflect on the past year and share insights on what lies ahead. Despite being recorded a few months ago, the discussion remains highly relevant .Key points from the episode include: The...

In this episode of the "Sounds of the Baskerville" podcast, Patrick Schweizer from ALARES returns to chat with Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty. They discuss the importance of the sorts of alerts you can get from ALARES, which stands for Adverse Legal Action Risk Alert System. Patrick explains what his business does and its role in providing valuable extra insights and reports for credit provi...

Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty discuss the challenges and predictions for the upcoming year. They have made bold predictions before... How do they see the business landscape in 2025? What are the difficulties businesses face during the December-January period, and what is behind the tendency for directors to make significant decisions before the new year? TWhile they once again talk of the n...

Chris and James wrap up 2024, sharing their insights. This will be interesting... What were the events and trends that shaped the business landscape in 2024? Listen in for the takeaways for business owners and their advisors. Key issues: Economic Impact of COVID-19: Chris discusses the ongoing effects of the pandemic on global economies. Government Responses: how governments supported businesses d...

Following on fBuilding on the insights from "Let's Make a Deal," this episode dives deeper into strategies for navigating what can often be a stressful time for directors and creditors. **Understanding Settlements:** Chris shares why resolving an insolvency-related claim through settlement is often better than going to court. What are the costs, risks, and practical methods that can lead to a succ...

In ep 82, "Let's do a Deal" Chris Baskerville talks us through the intricacies of making deals and settlements in the context of business insolvency and litigation. Chris explains why most legal matters are settled before going to trial, although where does court-ordered mediation fit in? How does it help resolving disputes avs going all in and taking on the the risks and costs associated with pro...

Consumer spending, industry trends, rights of creditors, etc. Isn't running a small business hard enough without having to factor all that in? James Flaherty asks Chris Baskerville to look over industry trends and how they can buffet small businesses, the challenges faced by the construction and accommodation sectors, and the importance of restructuring/change to maintain profitability. Chris and...

Chris Baskerville, the managing partner of the Brisbane Office of Jirsch Sutherland, lets us in on why small business restructuring has grown by 300% compared to last year. This trend is crucial for small business owners to understand, as it offers a strong alternative to voluntary administration, which can be costly and complex. There are other things going on at the moment, though! Chris and Jam...

Everyone hates a nasty surprise. That's why Chris Baskerville asked Patrick Schweizer of ALARES to come explain what his business does. Patrick wasn't the nasty surprise, but the near misses and lessons he shares might have been. The key lesson of this episode is knowing what information is out there (and things you may not have immediately thought of) and what can really impact a big financial de...

In the latest episode of the Sounds of The Baskerville Podcast, Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty discuss the most recent insolvency statistics, delving into the headlines to explain what business people need to know about the current situation and the implications of the changes in the Small Business Restructuring law over the past few years. Why do the guys stay on this issue? Because they ar...

Through real-life examples and a touch of humour, this podcast provides a wealth of practical knowledge for anyone considering starting a business or currently encountering business challenges.  Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting, this episode is a must-listen for valuable lessons on staying financially fit and avoiding common traps that can lead to business failure. Delving...

This week, Duncan Perkins from TaxTime Accountants joins Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty to discuss the potential tax headaches that can arise when a side hustle grows into a more significant business venture. Always a lively forum, in this podcast episode, Duncan steps up the tempo on The Sounds of The Baskerville in a fascinating conversation on topics such as investment properties, the tra...