The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Receivership pending appointment of trustee

260.—(1) Between the making of a bankruptcy order and the time at which the bankrupt’s estate vests in a trustee under Articles 278 to 308, the official receiver is the receiver and (subject to Article 341 (special manager)) the manager of the bankrupt’s estate and is under a duty to act as such.

(2) The function of the official receiver while acting as receiver or manager of the bankrupt’s estate under this Article is to protect the estate; and for this purpose—

(a)he has the same powers as if he were a receiver or manager appointed by the High Court, and

(b)he is entitled to sell or otherwise dispose of any perishable goods comprised in the estate and any other goods so comprised the value of which is likely to diminish if they are not disposed of.

(3) The official receiver while acting as receiver or manager of the estate under this Article—

(a)shall take all such steps as he thinks fit for protecting any property which may be claimed for the estate by the trustee of that estate,

(b)is not, except in pursuance of directions given by the Department, required to do anything that involves his incurring expenditure,

(c)may, if he thinks fit (and shall, if so directed by the High Court) at any time summon a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors.

(4) Where—

(a)the official receiver acting as receiver or manager of the estate under this Article seizes or disposes of any property which is not comprised in the estate, and

(b)at the time of the seizure or disposal the official receiver believes, and has reasonable grounds for believing, that he is entitled (whether in pursuance of an order of the High Court or otherwise) to seize or dispose of that property,

the official receiver is not to be liable to any person in respect of any loss or damage resulting from the seizure or disposal except in so far as that loss or damage is caused by his negligence; and he has a lienon the property, or the proceeds of its sale, for such of the expenses of the bankruptcy as were incurred in connection with the seizure or disposal.

(5) This Article does not apply where by virtue of Article 270 (appointment of trustee; special cases) the bankrupt’s estate vests in a trustee immediately on the making of the bankruptcy order.