“A lot of the work that I do is historic-the maximum sentences change at different points of time. It's really complicated and people get it wrong all the time. That's when having a timeline is really useful.”
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Assistance with the checklist This summary checklist and timeline presuppose that the trustee in bankruptcy (trustee) is ready to file an application to the court for an order for possession and sale of a property in which the bankrupt previously held an interest that now vests in the trustee under section 306 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986). It also assumes the trustee has written to the owners to try to realise their interest without issuing court proceedings, and that it is the appropriate moment to make the application. If the property is of a type within IA 1986, s 283A(1), then unless the trustee takes certain steps before the third anniversary of the bankruptcy order—among them applying to court for a possession and sale order—the trustee’s interest in that property will automatically re-vest in the bankrupt. Accordingly, the trustee must take timely steps in relation to the property...
Under section 279(1) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986) A bankrupt is released from bankruptcy automatically at the expiry of one year starting on the date the bankruptcy order is made, pursuant to section 279(1) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986). In some circumstances, however, it is preferable to apply to the court for an order suspending that automatic discharge. This concise checklist and timetable addresses applications to suspend automatic discharge from bankruptcy, outlining each stage from preparing the application for issue through to the making of the suspension from discharge order, together with matters to be dealt with after the order is made. The checklist and timetable do not apply to criminal bankruptcies under IA 1986, ss 264 and 280, nor to applications by the official receiver (OR) under the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (IR 2016), SI 2016/1024, r 10.104(5) following the adjournment of a public examination. Step/action Time (days) Section/rule 1...
Annulment: payment in full Under section 282 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986), a bankrupt may apply to have their bankruptcy annulled where they can discharge in full, and in particular in their entirety, the bankruptcy estate’s costs, expenses and claims, or, alternatively, provide security for those sums, as applicable. This Checklist and timeline sets out the procedure for annulment applications on this basis, identifying each step sequentially after settlement of the estate’s costs, expenses and claims, from payment through to the making of the annulment order, together with the matters that must be addressed once the order has been made, thereafter. It shows the stages in order. This Checklist and timeline does not apply to, or address, applications brought on the alternative ground in IA 1986, s 282(1)(a), namely a contention that the bankruptcy order should not have been made. For a Checklist and timeline dealing with applications on that alternative basis, see: Summary checklist and timeline for annulment applications where bankruptcy order ought not...
Sriram (acting by her litigation friend, the Official Solicitor) v Revenue and Customs Commissioners and another [2024] EWHC 853 (Ch), [2024] All ER (D) 86 (Apr) What are the practical implications of this case? Creditors should act with care to ensure that service of a statutory demand (and bankruptcy petition) is properly effected, particularly where a debtor seeks to avoid service and has several addresses. Attempts to serve ought to be clearly and contemporaneously recorded. Creditors are required to take all reasonable measures to bring the document or documents to the debtor’s attention. However, this does not oblige them to attend or write to every address associated with the debtor that they know about. The addresses that must be tried will depend on the circumstances of the individual case. A wide, scattergun strategy to service is not expected. By way of example, if a debtor holds multiple properties and there is no reply to a visit or correspondence at one property, that location may not amount to a ‘known’...
In this issue: Banking and Finance case round-up Lending Security Debt capital markets Derivatives Regulation for derivatives lawyers Securitisation and structured products Restructuring Technology in banking & finance transactions Regulation for banking lawyers Scotland Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Useful information Banking and Finance case round-up Banking & Finance—November 2024 case round-up For a summary of the cases we flagged in Banking & Finance during October 2024, refer to News Analysis: Banking & Finance—November 2024 case round-up. Lending Re KRF Services (UK) Ltd [2024] EWHC 2978 (Ch) The judgment addressed a High Court application for an administration order, heard in that court, and centred on two key points of interest: (i) whether the sole director’s resolution to seek an administration order was effective; and (ii) the effect of the sanctions regime. On the first question, the court examined the company’s unamended Model...
Restructuring & Insolvency weekly highlights—29 February 2024 In this issue: Restructuring Corporate insolvency processes Insolvency litigation Directors and insolvency Personal insolvency Industry/sector guides for R&I lawyers Daily and weekly news alerts Key dates for R&I professionals Corporate Rescue and Insolvency (February 2024 edition) Latest Q&A Restructuring New Practice Notes—Part 26A restructuring plan deal debriefs The LexisNexis Restructuring & Insolvency practical guidance team have released four fresh Practice Notes within their ‘Restructuring Plan deal debrief’ series: ‘Part 26A restructuring plan deal debrief—The Good Box Labs Co Ltd (in administration)’, ‘Part 26A restructuring plan deal debrief—CFG Investments SAC’, ‘Part 26A restructuring plan deal debrief—ED&F Man Holdings Ltd’ and ‘Part 26A restructuring plan deal debrief—Hong Kong Airlines Ltd’. These Notes consider the key terms of the Part 26A restructuring plan proposed by NGI Systems & Solutions Ltd for the SME, The Good Box Labs Co Ltd (in administration), in 2023. They also examine the...
This Practice Note reviews the factors the court will take into account and the test it will adopt when considering an application by a trustee in bankruptcy (the trustee) seeking orders for possession and sale of the bankrupt’s home, including accommodation occupied by the bankrupt’s family... For further reading on making possession and sale applications and on the timing of any application, see Practice Notes: Possession and sale applications in respect of a bankrupt’s family home The ‘three-year rule’ in bankruptcy under section 283A of the Insolvency Act 1986 Applications for possession and sale of the family home Where a trustee applies to the court for possession and sale, they will, amongst other things, need both an order for sale and an order for vacant possession. In substance this is a two-stage exercise, yet, in practice, it is usually addressed within a single application. If the property is jointly owned, section 14 of the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees...
This Practice Note introduces freezing injunctions, explaining what they are and the different types that can be applied for. For guidance on making and responding to an application for a freezing injunction, see the following resources listed in this section: Practice Note: Freezing injunctions—the application Practice Note: Freezing injunctions—the draft order Applying for a freezing injunction—checklist Responding to a freezing injunction—checklist Precedent: Affidavit in support of a freezing injunction Precedent: Affidavit in opposition to the continuation of a freezing injunction granted without notice For examples of judgments addressing these principles in more detail, see the following Practice Notes listed below: Freezing injunctions—illustrative decisions Freezing injunctions—key and illustrative decisions (2020–2024) [Archived] What is a freezing injunction? A freezing injunction (or freezing order) is an interim order restraining a respondent from taking assets out of the jurisdiction (ie England and Wales) and/or from dealing with assets wherever they are situated (CPR 25.1(1)(f)). Freezing...
This Practice Note provides a concise overview of bankruptcy and its effect on legal proceedings from a dispute resolution standpoint, summarising key points in practice... What is bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is an insolvency route for individuals. It applies to individuals only. Prior to 6 April 2016—and in contrast to corporate liquidation—only the court had power to make an individual bankrupt. From 6 April 2016, a new bankruptcy applications regime took effect, replacing debtors' bankruptcy petitions, though creditors' petitions remained unaffected. Petitions lodged by debtors before that date were unaffected; now, anyone seeking their own bankruptcy must file an online application decided by an adjudicator—an official of the Insolvency Service—rather than the court. For more detail and background, see News Analysis: New bankruptcy applications regime to come into force. Once a bankruptcy order is made—by the court or by the adjudicator—it releases the debtor from liabilities owed to creditors (subject to certain statutory exceptions) and bars unsecured creditors from starting—or continuing with—any legal process against the bankrupt or their property...
This formal letter serves hereby to notify the bankrupt and any additional co-owner (or occupier) of the relevant property in question that the trustee in bankruptcy (the trustee) intends to realise their beneficial interest in that property. It should generally be sent only once the trustee has resolved to formally issue a court application for possession and sale, or adapted suitably if they do not propose to apply to the court at this stage. Individual letters must be addressed and posted separately to all co-owners/occupiers, ensuring the trustee can be fully confident each has been clearly notified of the position. The precedent is written in neutral terms so as to allow easy adaptation and appropriate modification where required, and is framed on the basis that it is to be sent by the trustee’s solicitor...
In the County Court at [ Name of county court hearing centre ] [ Name of the county court hearing centre in which the original Bankruptcy Order was made ] Case No: [ Full case number as set out on the original Bankruptcy Order ] RE: [ Name of Debtor ] [ Complete name of the bankrupt as shown on the Bankruptcy Order ] 1 On the Trustee’s application [ insert full name and address of Trustee ], and with the agreement of the bankrupt named above...
Court Reference No: [ ENTER COURT REFERENCE ]...
Section 283 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986) In general terms, section 283 states that every asset belonging to the bankrupt, or in which the bankrupt held an interest on the date the bankruptcy order was made, forms the bankruptcy estate. Under IA 1986, s 306, that estate vests in the trustee in bankruptcy (trustee) immediately and automatically on appointment, and stays vested until the trustee deals with it, typically by sale—see Practice Note: What assets vest in the trustee in bankruptcy and what steps does the official receiver or trustee in bankruptcy need to take? Where the estate includes land or a beneficial interest in land, the trustee should ensure that the correct entries are or become noted against the title, whether the title is registered or unregistered. Depending on whether the property is owned solely or jointly, certain entries may (or should) be made automatically; if they are not, the trustee can apply to the Land Registry. For more detail, see Practice Note: Protecting a...
If a lease was granted at undervalue, you are the 3rd owner, and you knew it was at undervalue, if creditors ask for an order returning the property to the original owner you cannot claim relief? Transactions at an undervalue (TUVs) are regulated by the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986). The relevant provisions are: sections 238, 240 and 241 of the IA 1986 for companies sections 339 to 342 of the IA 1986 for individuals These powers are available to trustees in bankruptcy, liquidators (in both compulsory and voluntary liquidations), and administrators. They permit the office-holder to review dealings made by the insolvent person or company in the lead-up to insolvency and to assess whether assets should be recovered for the insolvent estate. In particular, an order under: section 241 of the IA 1986 (for companies), or section 342 of the IA 1986 (for individuals) cannot be made against the other party to a...
This is a ‘new’ lease under the Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995 (LT(C)A 1995) Accordingly, it is presumed that the former tenant remains liable for arrears pursuant to an authorised guarantee agreement (AGA) (in relation to which, see Practice Note: Lease covenants—liability after assignment of a lease or its reversion), and that liability is subject to the provisions of LT(C)A 1995, s 17 (which has been confirmed as not relevant to this Q&A; if required, see Practice Note: Former tenants, guarantors and overriding leases). Upon discharge, the bankrupt is released from all bankruptcy debts under section 281 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986)...
[(1) This section applies where—(a) property is excluded from the bankrupt's estate by virtue of section 417(2)(d) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (property in respect of which an order has been made authorising realisation of the property by an appropriate officer),(b) a confiscation order is made under section 6, 92 or 156 of that Act,(c) the amount payable under the confiscation order is fully paid, and(d) any of the property remains in the hands of the appropriate officer.(2) The property vests in the trustee as part of
[263H Bankruptcy applications to an adjudicator][(1) An individual may make an application to an adjudicator in accordance with this Chapter for a bankruptcy order to be made against him or her.(2) An individual may make a bankruptcy application only on the ground that the individual is unable to pay his or her debts.]
[(1) It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make any false representation or omission in—(a) making a bankruptcy application to an adjudicator, or(b) providing any information to an adjudicator in connection with a bankruptcy application.(2) It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to fail to notify an adjudicator of a matter in accordance with a requirement imposed by or under this Part.(3) It is immaterial for the purposes of an offence under this section whether or not a bankruptcy order is made as a result of the application.(4) It is not a