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Disclaimer meaning

What does Disclaimer mean?
In practice, a disclaimer is the statutory power used in insolvency to renounce “onerous property” (typically an onerous lease, unprofitable contract or burdened asset) so the insolvent estate ceases to incur ongoing liabilities. It is exercised by notice (and, in some cases, with the court’s permission). In England & Wales and Scotland, liquidators and trustees in bankruptcy may disclaim under the Insolvency Act 1986 (liquidations: section 178; bankruptcy: section 315). Northern Ireland has equivalent provisions in the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. In the UK, the Crown may disclaim property vesting as bona vacantia (Companies Act 2006, section 1013). In Ireland, liquidators and the Official Assignee have comparable powers under the Companies Act 2014 and the Bankruptcy Act 1988. A valid disclaimer ends the company’s/bankrupt’s rights, interests and liabilities in or in respect of the property from the disclaimer date, but does not (except so far as necessary to release the insolvent estate) affect the rights or liabilities of others, such as landlords, guarantors, subtenants or mortgagees. Counterparties usually prove as unsecured creditors. Interested parties may apply for a vesting order within statutory time limits. In Scottish personal insolvency, the analogous concept is often termed “abandonment”, with similar practical effect.
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View the related Checklists about Disclaimer

CHECKLISTS
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CHECKLISTS
Tenant checklist on landlord insolvency (England and Wales): rent, deposits, insurance, breaches, rent review/renewal, superior landlord issues (forfeiture, disclaimer, CRAR), and communications with insolvency office-holders.

This Checklist outlines the key matters a tenant should weigh up if the landlord becomes insolvent. A tenant must continue to fulfil its obligations under the lease, and should promptly contact the insolvency practitioner, as the tenant will need the information set out below. Swift contact is important because guidance on payments and other particulars will be required. Who should rent be paid to? Rent must still be paid in line with the lease. Where the landlord is in administration, liquidation or bankruptcy, or a receiver has been appointed over the property, payment should be made to the administrator, liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy or receiver, as applicable. Under a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), rent may instead be due to the CVA supervisor, subject to the CVA terms. The insolvency practitioner will usually serve notice on the tenant confirming where rent must be sent. Is the landlord holding a rent deposit? You should consider whether the rent deposit deed has been drafted so the deposit is held...

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NEWS
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NEWS
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NEWS
Post-disclaimer vesting orders: court lacks jurisdiction on trustee’s application; surplus only via third party—Sleight v Crown Estate Commissioners (IA 1986 ss 315, 320, England and Wales)

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PRACTICE NOTES
Post-death variations of Wills and intestacy: Q&A on formalities, parties, timing, trusts, minors, anti-avoidance, and IHT/CGT/SDLT under English and Welsh law

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PRACTICE NOTES
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PRACTICE NOTES
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PRECEDENTS
Template UK Financial Promotion Disclaimer for Relevant Persons (FSMA 2000 s21; FPO 2005 Arts 12, 19, 49)

This [ insert document name ] has not been sanctioned by an authorised person in line with section 21(2)(b) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000...

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PRECEDENTS
Administrative receivership commercial property sale contract (England and Wales): freehold/leasehold; Standard Commercial Property Conditions; occupational leases; no title guarantee; VAT/TOGC; TUPE; environmental liability; overseas entities

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PRECEDENTS
Website linking policy template: inbound linking consent or conditions, framing and trade mark restrictions, and disclaimer for our links to third-party sites

Hyperlinking to us You must not link to our website without our explicit written permission. If you intend to create a link to our website, please supply the following: the URL of every web page from which you plan to link to our website; the URL of every web page on this website that you plan to link to; and the reason for the link, and we will review your request in due course. We only review direct approaches from website owners. We will not respond to intermediaries. Please send such requests to [ insert email address ]...

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View the related Q&As about Disclaimer

Q&As
Intestacy: Sibling Disclaimer—Accrual or Statutory Trusts?

As outlined in Practice Note: Intestacy—summary and Entitlement on intestacy—flowchart, the order of entitlement on intestacy is set out within section 46 of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (AEA 1925)...

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Q&As
Assignment of part: effect of tenant's disclaimer on assignee

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Q&As
Disclaimed Headlease (No Vesting): Subtenant Exit & Dilapidations

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