The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

[F1Partial authorisation: acting in relation to partnershipsN.I.

349B—(1) A person who is partially authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to companies may nonetheless not accept an appointment to actin relation to a company if at the time of the appointment the person is aware that the company—

(a)is or was a member of a partnership; and

(b)has outstanding liabilities in relation to the partnership.

(2) A person who is partially authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to individuals may nonetheless not accept an appointment to act in relation to an individual if at the time of the appointment the person is aware that the individual—

(a)is or was a member of a partnership other than a Scottish partnership, and

(b)has outstanding liabilities in relation to the partnership.

(3) Subject to paragraph (9), a person who is partially authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to companies may nonetheless not continue to actin relation to a company if the person becomes aware that the company—

(a)is or was a member of a partnership, and

(b)has outstanding liabilities in relation to the partnership,

unless the person is granted permission to continue to act by the High Court.

(4) Subject to paragraph (9), a person who is partially authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to individuals may nonetheless not continue to act in relation to an individual if the person becomes aware that the individual—

(a)is or was a member of a partnership other than a Scottish partnership, and

(b)has outstanding liabilities in relation to the partnership,

unless the person is granted permission to continue to act by the High Court.

(5) The High Court may granta person permission to continue to act for the purposes of paragraph (3) or (4) if it is satisfied that the person is competent to do so.

(6) A person who is partially authorised and becomes aware as mentioned in paragraph (3) or (4) may alternatively apply to the High Court for an order (a “ replacement order ”) appointing in his or her place a person who is fully authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the company or (as the case may be) the individual.

(7) A person may apply to the High Court for permission to continue to act or for a replacement order under—

(a)where acting in relation to a company, this Article or, if it applies, Article 143(5B);

(b)where acting in relation to an individual, this Article or, if it applies, Article 276(2C).

(8) A person who acts as an insolvency practitioner in contravention ofany of paragraphs (1) to (4) is guilty of an offence under Article 348 (acting without qualification).

(9) A person does not contravene paragraph (3) or (4) by continuing to act as an insolvency practitioner during the permitted period if, within the period of 7 business days beginning with the day after the day on which the person becomes aware as mentioned inthe paragraph, the person—

(a)applies to the High Court for permission to continue to act, or

(b)applies to the High Court for a replacement order.

(10) For the purposes of paragraph (9)—

“business day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day which is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971;

“permitted period” means the period beginning with the day on which the person became aware as mentioned in paragraph (3) or (4) and ending on the earlier of—

“replacement order” has the meaning given by paragraph (6).]