Firms including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Kirkland & Ellis and Allen & Overy have helped secure a High Court victory for department store Debenhams, after the judge rejected a challenge to a company voluntary agreement (CVA) intended to save it from collapse.

In June, a group of landlords, known collectively as the Combined Property Control Group (CPC) and financially backed by Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley, challenged the CVA on the basis that it treated them unfavourably compared to other unsecured creditors.