IntroductoryN.I.

Title and commencementN.I.

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on such day or days as the Department may by order appointF1.

InterpretationN.I.

2.—(1) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33) applies to this Order as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

(2) In this Order—

• “administrative receiver” has the meaning given by Article 5(1) of [F2the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989];

• [F3 “ CMA ” means the Competition and Markets Authority; ]

• [F4 “ company ” means—

  (a)

  a company registered under the Companies Act 2006 in Northern Ireland, or

  (b)

  a company that may be wound up under Part 6 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (unregistered companies);]

• [F5 “ the Companies Acts ” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Companies Act 2006; ]

• [F6 “ the Companies Acts ” has the meaning given in section 2 of the Companies Act 2006;  ]

• F7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• F8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• F9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “the Department” means the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment;

• [F10 “ director ” includes any person occupying the position of director by whatever name called; ]

• F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• [F12 “ officer ” has the same meaning as in the Companies Acts (see section 1173(1) of the Companies Act 2006); ]

• “the official receiver” means, in relation to the winding up of a company or the bankruptcy of an individual, any officer of the Department who by virtue of Article 355 or 357 of [F13the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989] is authorised to act as the official receiver in relation to that winding up or bankruptcy;

• F14...

• [F15“overseas company” is a company which is incorporated or formed outside Northern Ireland;]

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

• [F16 “ the registrar ” means the registrar of companies for Northern Ireland; ]

• F17 [ “regulations” means—

  (a)

  in Article 13D, regulations made by the Secretary of State, and

  (b)

  in other provisions of this Order, regulations made by the Department subject (except in Article 23(3)) to negative resolution;]

• “shadow director”, in relation to a company, means a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the company are accustomed to act [F18, but so that a person is not deemed a shadow director by reason only that the directors act—

  (a)

  on advice given by that person in a professional capacity;

  (b)

  in accordance with instructions, a direction, guidance or advice given by that person in the exercise of a function conferred by or under a statutory provision;

  (c)

  in accordance with guidance or advice given by that person in that person's capacity as a Minister of the Crown (within the meaning of the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975)];

• “statutory provision” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(f) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33).

(3) Article 6 of [F19the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989] (interpretation for Parts II to VII of that Order) applies as regards references to a company's insolvency and to its going into liquidation; and references to acting as an insolvency practitioner are to be read in accordance with Article 3 of that Order.

[F20( 4 ) Any reference to provisions, or a particular provision, of the Companies Acts or the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 includes the corresponding provisions or provision of corresponding earlier legislation.]

[F21( 5 ) Subject to the provisions of this Article, expressions that are defined for the purposes of the Companies Acts [F22(see section 1174 of, and Schedule 8 to, the Companies Act 2006)] have the same meaning in this Order.]

(6) Any reference to acting as receiver—

(a)includes acting as manager or as both receiver and manager, but

(b)does not include acting as administrative receiver.

Disqualification orders: generalN.I.

3.—(1) In the circumstances specified in this Order a court may, and under[F23 Articles 9 and 13A] shall, make against a person a disqualification order, that is to say an order that, for a period specified in the order—

(a)he shall not be a director of a company, act as receiver of a company's property or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take part in the promotion, formation or management of a company unless (in each case) he has the leave of the High Court, and

(b)he shall not act as an insolvency practitioner.

(2) In each Article which gives to a court power or, as the case may be, imposes on it the duty to make a disqualification order there is specified the maximum (and, in [F24Articles 9 and 11A] , the minimum) period of disqualification which may or (as the case may be) must be imposed by means of the order and, unless the court otherwise orders, the period of disqualification so imposed shall begin at the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the order.

(3) Where a disqualification order is made against a person who is already subject to such an order or to a disqualification undertaking, the periods specified in those orders or, as the case may be, in the order and the undertaking shall run concurrently.

(4) A disqualification order may be made on grounds which are or include matters other than criminal convictions, notwithstanding that the person in respect of whom it is to be made may be criminally liable in respect of those matters.

Disqualification undertakings: generalN.I.

4.—(1) In the circumstances specified in Articles [F258A, 10, 11, 11C and 11E] the Department may accept a disqualification undertaking, that is to say an undertaking by any person that, for a period specified in the undertaking, the person—

(a)will not be a director of a company, act as receiver of a company's property or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take part in the promotion, formation or management of a company unless (in each case) he has the leave of the High Court, and

(b)will not act as an insolvency practitioner.

(2) The maximum period which may be specified in a disqualification undertaking is 15 years; and the minimum period which may be specified in a disqualification undertaking under Article 10 [F26or 11C] is two years.

(3) Where a disqualification undertaking by a person who is already subject to such an undertaking or to a disqualification order is accepted, the periods specified in those undertakings or (as the case may be) the undertaking and the order shall run concurrently.

(4) In determining whether to accept a disqualification undertaking by any person, the Department may take account of matters other than criminal convictions, notwithstanding that the person may be criminally liable in respect of those matters.

Disqualification for general misconduct in connection with companiesN.I.

Disqualification on conviction of offence punishable only on indictment or either on conviction on indictment or on summary convictionN.I.

5.—(1) The court may make a disqualification order against a person where he is convicted of an offence punishable only on conviction on indictment or either on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction (whether on indictment or on summary conviction) in connection with the promotion, formation, management, liquidation or striking off of a company, with the receivership of a company's property or with his being an administrative receiver of a company.

[F27(1A) In paragraph (1), “company” includes overseas company.]

(2) “The court” for this purpose means—

(a)the High Court, or

(b)the court by or before which the person is convicted of the offence, or

(c)in the case of a summary conviction, any other court of summary jurisdiction acting for the same petty sessions district.

(3) The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is—

(a)where the disqualification order is made by a court of summary jurisdiction, 5 years, and

(b)in any other case, 15 years.

Disqualification for persistent default under companies legislationN.I.

6.—(1) The High Court may make a disqualification order against a person where it appears to it that he has been persistently in default in relation to provisions of the companies legislation requiring any return, account or other document to be filed with, delivered or sent, or notice of any matter to be given, to the registrar.

(2) On an application to the High Court for an order to be made under this Article, the fact that a person has been persistently in default in relation to such provisions as are mentioned in paragraph (1) may (without prejudice to its proof in any other manner) be conclusively proved by showing that in the 5 years ending with the date of the application he has been adjudged guilty (whether or not on the same occasion) of 3 or more defaults in relation to those provisions.

(3) A person is to be treated under paragraph (2) as being adjudged guilty of a default in relation to any such provision if—

(a)he is convicted (whether on indictment or on summary conviction) of an offence consisting in a contravention of that provision (whether on his own part or on the part of any company), or

(b)a default order is made against him, that is to say an order under any of the following provisions—

(i)[F28section 452 of the Companies Act 2006] (order requiring delivery of company accounts),

(ii)[F29section 456 of the Companies Act 2006] (order requiring preparation of revised accounts),

[F30(iii)section 1113 of the Companies Act 2006 (enforcement of company's filing obligations),]

(iv)Article 51 of [F31the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989] (enforcement of receiver's or manager's duty to make returns), or

(v)Article 144 of [F32that Order] (corresponding provision for liquidator in winding up),

in respect of any such contravention of that provision (whether on his own part or on the part of any company).

[F33(3A) In this Article “the companies legislation” means the Companies Acts and Parts 2 to 7 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (company insolvency and winding up).]

[F34(3B) In this Article “company” includes overseas company.]

(4) The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is 5 years.

Disqualification for fraud, etc., in winding upN.I.

7.—(1) The High Court may make a disqualification order against a person if, in the course of the winding up of a company, it appears that he—

(a)has been guilty of an offence for which he is liable (whether he has been convicted or not) under [F35section 993 of the Companies Act 2006] (fraudulent trading), or

(b)has otherwise been guilty, while an officer or liquidator of the company or receiver of the company's property or administrative receiver of the company, of any fraud in relation to the company or of any breach of his duty as such officer, liquidator, receiver or administrative receiver.

(2) In this Article “officer” includes a shadow director.

(3) The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is 15 years.

Disqualification on summary conviction of offenceN.I.

8.—(1) An offence counting for the purposes of this Article is one of which a person is convicted (either on indictment or on summary conviction) in consequence of a contravention of any provision of the companies legislation requiring a return, account or other document to be filed with, delivered or sent, or notice of any matter to be given, to the registrar (whether the contravention is on the person's own part or on the part of any company).

(2) Where a person is convicted by a court of summary jurisdiction of an offence mentioned in paragraph (1), the court by which he is convicted, or any other court of summary jurisdiction acting for the same petty sessions district, may make a disqualification order against him if the circumstances specified in paragraph (3) are present.

(3) Those circumstances are that, during the 5 years ending with the date of the conviction, the person has had made against him, or has been convicted of, in total not less than 3 default orders and offences counting for the purposes of this Article and those offences may include that of which he is convicted as mentioned in paragraph (2) and any other offence of which he is convicted on the same occasion.

(4) For the purposes of this Article “default order” means the same as in Article 6(3)(b).

[F36(4A) In this Article “the companies legislation” means the Companies Acts and Parts 2 to 7 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (company insolvency and winding up).]

[F37(4B) In this Article “company” includes overseas company.]

(5) The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is 5 years.

[F38Disqualification for certain convictions abroadN.I.

8A—(1) If it appears to the Department that it is expedient in the public interest that a disqualification order under this Article should be made against a person, the Department may apply to the High Court for such an order.

(2) The High Court may, on an application under paragraph (1), make a disqualification order against a person who has been convicted of a relevant foreign offence.

(3) A “relevant foreign offence” is an offence committed outside Northern Ireland—

(a)in connection with—

(i)the promotion, formation, management, liquidation or striking off of a company (or any similar procedure),

(ii)the receivership of a company's property (or any similar procedure), or

(iii)a person being an administrative receiver of a company (or holding a similar position), and

(b)which corresponds to an indictable offence under the law of Northern Ireland.

(4) Where it appears to the Department that, in the case of a person who has offered to give a disqualification undertaking—

(a)the person has been convicted of a relevant foreign offence, and

(b)it is expedient in the public interest that the Department should accept the undertaking (instead of applying, or proceeding with an application, for a disqualification order),

the Department may accept the undertaking.

(5) In this Article, “company” includes an overseas company.

(6) The maximum period of disqualification under an order under this Article is 15 years.]

Disqualification for unfitnessN.I.

Duty of High Court to disqualify unfit directors of insolvent companiesN.I.

9.—(1) The High Court shall make a disqualification order against a person in any case where, on an application under this Article, it is satisfied—

(a)that he is or has been a director of a company which has at any time become insolvent (whether while he was a director or subsequently), and

(b)that his conduct as a director of that company (either taken alone or taken together with his conduct as a director of [F39one or more other companies or overseas companies] ) makes him unfit to be concerned in the management of a company.

[F40(1A) In this Article references to a person's conduct as a director of any company or overseas company include, where that company or overseas company has become insolvent, references to that person's conduct in relation to any matter connected with or arising out of the insolvency.]

(2) For the purposes of this Article F41..., a company becomes insolvent if—

(a)the company goes into liquidation at a time when its assets are insufficient for the payment of its debts and other liabilities and the expenses of the winding up,

[F42(b)the company enters administration, or]

(c)an administrative receiver of the company is appointed;

F43...

[F44(2A) For the purposes of this Article, an overseas company becomes insolvent if the company enters into insolvency proceedings of any description (including interim proceedings) in any jurisdiction.

(2B) In this Article and Article 10, “director” includes a shadow director.]

(3) Under this Article the minimum period of disqualification is 2 years, and the maximum period is 15 years.

Disqualification order or undertaking; and reporting provisionsN.I.

10.—(1) If it appears to the Department that it is expedient in the public interest that a disqualification order under Article 9 should be made against any person, an application for the making of such an order against that person may be made—

(a)by the Department, or

(b)if the Department so directs in the case of a person who is or has been a director of a company which is being, or has been, wound up by the High Court, by the official receiver.

(2) Except with the leave of the High Court, an application for the making under Article 9 of a disqualification order against any person shall not be made after the expiration of [F453 years] from the day on which the company of which that person is or has been a director became insolvent.

(3) If it appears to the Department that the conditions mentioned in Article 9(1) are satisfied as respects any person who has offered to give the Department a disqualification undertaking, the Department may accept the undertaking if it appears to the Department that it is expedient in the public interest that the Department should do so (instead of applying, or proceeding with an application, for a disqualification order).

(4) If it appears to the office-holder responsible under this Article, that is to say—

(a)in the case of a company which is being wound up by the High Court, the official receiver,

(b)in the case of a company which is being wound up otherwise, the liquidator,

[F46(c)in the case of a company which is in administration, the administrator, or]

(d)in the case of a company of which there is an administrative receiver, that receiver,

that the conditions mentioned in Article 9(1) are satisfied as respects a person who is or has been a director of that company, the office-holder shall forthwith report the matter to the Department.

(5) The Department or the official receiver may require the liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver of a company, or the former liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver of a company—

(a)to furnish the Department or, as the case may be, the official receiver with such information with respect to any person's conduct as a director of the company, and

(b)to produce and permit inspection of such books, papers and other records relevant to that person's conduct as such a director,

as the Department or the official receiver may reasonably require for the purpose of determining whether to exercise, or of exercising, any function under this Article.

[F47(6) Paragraphs (1A) and (2) of Article 9 apply for the purposes of this Article as they apply for the purposes of that Article.]

[F48Disqualification of director on finding of unfitness]N.I.

11.—(1) If it appears to the Department F49... that it is expedient in the public interest that a disqualification order should be made against a person who is, or has been, a director or shadow director of a company, the Department may apply to the High Court for such an order.

F50(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Where it appears to the Department F51... that, in the case of a person who has offered to give the Department a disqualification undertaking—

(a)the conduct of the person in relation to a company of which the person is or has been a director or shadow director [F52(either taken alone or taken together with his conduct as a director or shadow director of one or more other companies or overseas companies),] makes him unfit to be concerned in the management of a company, and

(b)it is expedient in the public interest that the Department should accept the undertaking (instead of applying, or proceeding with an application, for a disqualification order),

the Department may accept the undertaking.

(4) The High Court may make a disqualification order against a person where, on an application under this Article, it is satisfied that his conduct in relation to the company [F53(either taken alone or taken together with his conduct as a director or shadow director of one or more other companies or overseas companies)] makes him unfit to be concerned in the management of a company.

[F54(4A) Paragraph (1A) of Article 9 applies for the purposes of this Article as it applies for the purposes of that Article.]

(5) The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is 15 years.

[F55Persons instructing unfit directorsN.I.

Order disqualifying person instructing unfit director of insolvent companyN.I.

11A—(1) The High Court may make a disqualification order against a person (“P”) if, on an application under Article 11B, it is satisfied—

(a)either—

(i)that a disqualification order under Article 9 has been made against a person who is or has been a director (but not a shadow director) of a company, or

(ii)that the Department has accepted a disqualification undertaking from such a person under Article 10(3), and

(b)that P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the person.

That person is referred to in this Article as “the main transgressor”.

(2) For the purposes of this Article, P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor if any of the conduct—

(a)for which the main transgressor is subject to the order made under Article 9, or

(b)in relation to which the undertaking was accepted from the main transgressor under Article 10(3),

was the result of the main transgressor acting in accordance with P's directions or instructions.

(3) But P does not exercise the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor by reason only that the main transgressor acts on advice given by P in a professional capacity.

(4) Under this Article the minimum period of disqualification is 2 years and the maximum period is 15 years.

Application for order under Article 11AN.I.

11B—(1) If it appears to the Department that it is expedient in the public interest that a disqualification order should be made against a person under Article 11A, the Department may—

(a)make an application to the High Court for such an order, or

(b)in a case where an application for an order under Article 9 against the main transgressor has been made by the official receiver, direct the official receiver to make such an application.

(2) Except with the leave of the High Court, an application for a disqualification order under Article 11A must not be made after the end of the period of 3 years beginning with the day on which the company in question became insolvent (within the meaning given by Article 9(2)).

(3) Paragraph (5) of Article 10 applies for the purposes of this Article as it applies for the purposes of that Article.

Disqualification undertaking instead of an order under Article 11AN.I.

11C—(1) If it appears to the Department that it is expedient in the public interest to do so, the Department may accept a disqualification undertaking from a person (“P”) if—

(a)any of the following is the case—

(i)a disqualification order under Article 9 has been made against a person who is or has been a director (but not a shadow director) of a company,

(ii)the Department has accepted a disqualification undertaking from such a person under Article 10(3), or

(iii)it appears to the Department that such an undertaking could be accepted from such a person (if one were offered), and

(b)it appears to the Department that P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the person.

That person is referred to in this Article as “the main transgressor”.

(2) For the purposes of this Article, P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor if any of the conduct—

(a)for which the main transgressor is subject to the disqualification order made under Article 9,

(b)in relation to which the disqualification undertaking was accepted from the main transgressor under Article 10(3), or

(c)which led the Department to the conclusion set out in paragraph (1)(a)(iii),

was the result of the main transgressor acting in accordance with P's directions or instructions.

(3) But P does not exercise the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor by reason only that the main transgressor acts on advice given by P in a professional capacity.

(4) Paragraph (5) of Article 10 applies for the purposes of this Article as it applies for the purposes of that Article.

Order disqualifying person instructing unfit director: other casesN.I.

11D—(1) The High Court may make a disqualification order against a person (“P”) if, on an application under this Article, it is satisfied—

(a)either—

(i)that a disqualification order under Article 11 has been made against a person who is or has been a director (but not a shadow director) of a company, or

(ii)that the Department has accepted a disqualification undertaking from such a person under Article 11(3), and

(b)that P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the person.

That person is referred to in this Article as “the main transgressor”.

(2) The Department may make an application to the High Court for a disqualification order against P under this Article if it appears to the Department that it is expedient in the public interest for such an order to be made.

(3) For the purposes of this Article, P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor if any of the conduct—

(a)for which the main transgressor is subject to the order made under Article 11, or

(b)in relation to which the undertaking was accepted from the main transgressor under Article 11(3),

was the result of the main transgressor acting in accordance with P's directions or instructions.

(4) But P does not exercise the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor by reason only that the main transgressor acts on advice given by P in a professional capacity.

(5) Under this Article the maximum period of disqualification is 15 years.

Disqualification undertaking instead of an order under Article 11DN.I.

11E—(1) If it appears to the Department that it is expedient in the public interest to do so, the Department may accept a disqualification undertaking from a person (“P”) if—

(a)any of the following is the case—

(i)a disqualification order under Article 11 has been made against a person who is or has been a director (but not a shadow director) of a company,

(ii)the Department has accepted a disqualification undertaking from such a person under Article 11(3), or

(iii)it appears to the Department that such an undertaking could be accepted from such a person (if one were offered), and

(b)it appears to the Department that P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the person.

That person is referred to in this Article as “the main transgressor”.

(2) For the purposes of this Article, P exercised the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor if any of the conduct—

(a)for which the main transgressor is subject to the disqualification order made under Article 11,

(b)in relation to which the disqualification undertaking was accepted from the main transgressor under Article 11(3), or

(c)which led the Department to the conclusion set out in paragraph (1)(a)(iii),

was the result of the main transgressor acting in accordance with P's directions or instructions.

(3) But P does not exercise the requisite amount of influence over the main transgressor by reason only that the main transgressor acts on advice given by P in a professional capacity.]

[F56Further provision about disqualification undertakings]N.I.

Variation etc. of disqualification undertakingN.I.

12.—(1) The High Court may, on the application of a person who is subject to a disqualification undertaking—

(a)reduce the period for which the undertaking is to be in force, or

(b)provide for it to cease to be in force.

(2) On the hearing of an application under paragraph (1), the Department shall appear and call the attention of the Court to any matters which seem to the Department to be relevant, and may give evidence or call witnesses.

F57[( 3 )  Paragraph (2) does not apply to an application in the case of an undertaking given under Article 13B, and in such a case on the hearing of the application whichever of the [F58CMA] or a specified regulator (within the meaning of Article 13E) accepted the undertaking—

(a)shall appear and call the attention of the Court to any matters which appear to it to be relevant;

(b)may give evidence or call witnesses.]

Matters for determining unfitness of directorsN.I.

F5913.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F60Disqualification for competition infringementsN.I.

Competition disqualification orderN.I.

13A.—(1) The High Court shall make a disqualification order against a person if the following two conditions are satisfied in relation to him.

(2) The first condition is that an undertaking which is a company of which he is a director commits a breach of competition law.

(3) The second condition is that the High Court considers that his conduct as a director makes him unfit to be concerned in the management of a company.

(4) An undertaking commits a breach of competition law if it engages in conduct which infringes any of the following—

(a)the Chapter 1 prohibition (within the meaning of the Competition Act 1998) (prohibition on agreements, etc. preventing, restricting or distorting competition);

(b)the Chapter 2 prohibition (within the meaning of that Act) (prohibition on abuse of a dominant position);

(c)Article 81 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (prohibition on agreements, etc. preventing, restricting or distorting competition);

(d)Article 82 of that Treaty (prohibition on abuse of a dominant position).

(5) For the purpose of deciding under paragraph (3) whether a person is unfit to be concerned in the management of a company the High Court—

(a)shall have regard to whether paragraph (6) applies to him;

(b)may have regard to his conduct as a director of a company in connection with any other breach of competition law;

(c)shall not have regard to the matters mentioned in Schedule 1.

(6) This paragraph applies to a person if as a director of the company—

(a)his conduct contributed to the breach of competition law mentioned in paragraph (2);

(b)his conduct did not contribute to the breach but he had reasonable grounds to suspect that the conduct of the undertaking constituted the breach and he took no steps to prevent it;

(c)he did not know but ought to have known that the conduct of the undertaking constituted the breach.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6)(a) it is immaterial whether the person knew that the conduct of the undertaking constituted the breach.

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(a) or (c) references to the conduct of an undertaking are references to its conduct taken with the conduct of one or more other undertakings.

(9) The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is 15 years.

(10) An application under this Article for a disqualification order may be made by the [F61CMA] or by a specified regulator.

(11) Section 60 of the Competition Act 1998 (c. 41) (consistent treatment of questions arising under United Kingdom and [F62EU] law) applies in relation to any question arising by virtue of paragraph (4)(a) or (b) as it applies in relation to any question arising under Part 1 of that Act.

Competition undertakingsN.I.

13B.—(1) This Article applies if—

(a)the [F63CMA] or a specified regulator thinks that in relation to any person an undertaking which is a company of which he is a director has committed or is committing a breach of competition law,

(b)the [F63CMA] or the specified regulator thinks that the conduct of the person as a director makes him unfit to be concerned in the management of a company, and

(c)the person offers to give the [F63CMA] or the specified regulator (as the case may be) a disqualification undertaking.

(2) The [F63CMA] or the specified regulator (as the case may be) may accept a disqualification undertaking from the person instead of applying for or proceeding with an application for a disqualification order.

(3) A disqualification undertaking is an undertaking by a person that for the period specified in the undertaking he will not—

(a)be a director of a company;

(b)act as receiver of a company's property;

(c)in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take part in the promotion, formation or management of a company;

(d)act as an insolvency practitioner.

(4) But a disqualification undertaking may provide that a prohibition falling within paragraph (3)(a) to (c) does not apply if the person obtains the leave of the High Court.

(5) The maximum period which may be specified in a disqualification undertaking is 15 years.

(6) If a disqualification undertaking is accepted from a person who is already subject to a disqualification undertaking under this Order or to a disqualification order the periods specified in those undertakings or the undertaking and the order (as the case may be) run concurrently.

(7) Paragraphs (4) to (8) of Article 13A apply for the purposes of this Article as they apply for the purposes of that Article but in the application of paragraph (5) of that Article the reference to the High Court shall be construed as a reference to the [F64CMA] or a specified regulator (as the case may be).

Competition investigationsN.I.

13C.—(1) If the [F65CMA] or a specified regulator has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a breach of competition law has occurred it may carry out an investigation for the purpose of deciding whether to make an application under Article 13A for a disqualification order.

(2) For the purposes of such an investigation sections 26 to 30 of the Competition Act 1998 (c. 41) apply to the [F65CMA] and the specified regulators as they apply to the [F65CMA] for the purposes of an investigation under section 25 of that Act.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies if as a result of an investigation under this Article the [F65CMA] or a specified regulator proposes to apply under Article 13A for a disqualification order.

(4) Before making the application the [F65CMA] or regulator (as the case may be) shall—

(a)give notice to the person likely to be affected by the application, and

(b)give that person an opportunity to make representations.

Co-ordinationN.I.

13D.—(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations for the purpose of co-ordinating the performance of functions under Articles 13A to 13C (relevant functions) which are exercisable concurrently by two or more persons.

(2) Section 54(5) to (7) of the Competition Act 1998 (c. 41) applies to regulations made under this Article as it applies to regulations made under that section and for that purpose in that section—

(a)references to Part 1 functions shall be read as references to relevant functions;

[F66(aa)the reference in subsection (6A)(b) to notice under section 31(1) of the Competition Act 1998 that the regulator proposes to make a decision within the meaning given by section 31(2) of that Act is to be read as notice under Article 13C(4) that the specified regulator proposes to apply under Article 13A for a disqualification order;]

(b)references to a regulator shall be read as references to a specified regulator; and

(c)a competent person also includes any of the specified regulators.

(3) Regulations made under this Article shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament and section 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36) shall apply accordingly.

(4) Regulations may contain such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.

InterpretationN.I.

13E.—(1) This Article applies for the purposes of Articles 13A to 13D.

(2) Each of the following is a specified regulator for the purposes of a breach of competition law in relation to a matter in respect of which it has a function—

(a)the Office of Communications;

(b)the Northern Ireland Authority for [F67Utility] Regulation;

(c)the Civil Aviation Authority.

(3) Conduct includes omission.

(4) Director includes shadow director.]

Other cases of disqualificationN.I.

Participation in wrongful tradingN.I.

14.—(1) Where the High Court makes a declaration under Article 177 or 178 of [F68the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989] that a person is liable to make a contribution to a company's assets, then, whether or not an application for such an order is made by any person, the Court may, if it thinks fit, also make a disqualification order against the person to whom the declaration relates.

(2) The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is 15 years.

[F69(3) In this Article “company” includes overseas company.]

Undischarged bankruptsN.I.

15.—[F70(1) It is an offence for a person to act as director of a company or directly or indirectly to take part in or be concerned in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the leave of the court, at a time when any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (1A) apply to the person.

(1A) The circumstances are—

(a)the person is an undischarged bankrupt—

(i)in Northern Ireland, or

(ii)in England and Wales or Scotland,

(b)a bankruptcy restrictions order or undertaking is in force in respect of the person under—

(i)the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or

(ii)the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 or the Insolvency Act 1986,

(c)a debt relief restrictions order or undertaking is in force in respect of the person under—

(i)the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or

(ii)the Insolvency Act 1986,

(d)a moratorium period under a debt relief order applies in relation to the person under—

(i)the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or

(ii)the Insolvency Act 1986.

(1B) In paragraph (1) “the court” means—

(a)for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (a)(i), (b)(i), (c)(i) and (d)(i) of paragraph (1A), the High Court,

(b)for the purposes of paragraph (1A)(a)(ii)—

(i)the court by which the person was adjudged bankrupt, or

(ii)in Scotland, the court by which sequestration of the person's estate was awarded or, if awarded other than by the court, the court which would have jurisdiction in respect of sequestration of the person's estate,

(c)for the purposes of paragraph (1A)(b)(ii)—

(i)the court which made the order,

(ii)in Scotland, if the order has been made other than by the court, the court to which the person may appeal against the order, or

(iii)the court to which the person may make an application for annulment of the undertaking,

(d)for the purposes of paragraph (1A)(c)(ii)—

(i)the court which made the order, or

(ii)the court to which the person may make an application for annulment of the undertaking,

(e)for the purposes of paragraph (1A)(d)(ii), the court to which the person would make an application under section 251M(1) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (if the person were dissatisfied as mentioned there).]

(2) The leave of the High Court shall not be given unless notice of intention to apply for it has been served on the official receiver and the official receiver shall, if he is of opinion that it is contrary to the public interest that the application should be granted, attend on the hearing of the application and oppose it.

[F71(3) In this Article “company” includes a company incorporated outside Northern Ireland that has an established place of business in Northern Ireland.]

Failure to pay under administration orderN.I.

16.—(1) The following has effect where an administration order under Part VI of the Judgments Enforcement (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 6) is revoked.

(2) A person to whom Article 86 of that Order of 1981 (default of debtor) applies by virtue of an order under paragraph (1) of that Article shall not, except with the leave of the High Court, act as director or liquidator of, or directly or indirectly take part in or be concerned in the promotion, formation or management of, a company.

Persons disqualified in Great BritainN.I.

17.  A person subject to a disqualification order or a disqualification undertaking under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (c. 46)—

(a)shall not be a director of a company, act as receiver of a company's property or in any way either directly or indirectly be concerned or take part in the promotion, formation or management of a company unless (in each case) he has leave of the High Court; and

(b)shall not act as an insolvency practitioner.

[F72Determining unfitness etc.: matters to be taken into accountN.I.

17A—(1) This Article applies where the High Court must determine—

(a)whether a person's conduct as a director of one or more companies or overseas companies makes the person unfit to be concerned in the management of a company;

(b)whether to exercise any discretion it has to make a disqualification order under any of Articles 5 to 7, 8A, 11 or 14;

(c)where the Court has decided to make a disqualification order under any of those Articles or is required to make an order under Article 9, what the period of disqualification should be.

(2) This Article also applies where the Department must determine—

(a)whether a person's conduct as a director of one or more companies or overseas companies makes the person unfit to be concerned in the management of a company;

(b)whether to exercise any discretion the Department has to accept a disqualification undertaking under any of Articles 8A, 10 or 11.

(3) In making any such determination in relation to a person, the High Court or the Department must—

(a)in every case, have regard in particular to the matters set out in paragraphs 1 to 4 of Schedule 1;

(b)in a case where the person concerned is or has been a director of a company or overseas company, also have regard in particular to the matters set out in paragraphs 5 to 7 of that Schedule.

(4) In this Article “director” includes a shadow director.

(5) Paragraph (1A) of Article 9 applies for the purposes of this Article as it applies for the purposes of that Article.

(6) The Department may by order modify Schedule 1; and such an order may contain such transitional provision as may appear to the Department to be necessary or expedient.

(7) An order under paragraph (5) is subject to affirmative resolution.]

Consequences of contraventionN.I.

OffencesN.I.

18.  If a person acts in contravention of a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking, or in contravention of Article 15, 16(2) or 17, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine, or both; and

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for not more than 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both.

Personal liability for company's debts where person acts while disqualifiedN.I.

19.—(1) A person is personally responsible for all the relevant debts of a company if at any time—

(a)in contravention of a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking or in contravention of Article 15 or 17 he is involved in the management of the company, or

(b)as a person who is involved in the management of the company, he acts or is willing to act on instructions given without the leave of the High Court by a person whom he knows at that time to be—

(i)the subject of a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking,

(ii)the subject of a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (c. 46), or

(iii)an undischarged bankrupt.

(2) Where a person is personally responsible under this Article for the relevant debts of a company, he is jointly and severally liable in respect of those debts with the company and any other person who, whether under this Article or otherwise, is so liable.

(3) For the purposes of this Article the relevant debts of a company are—

(a)in relation to a person who is personally responsible under paragraph (1)(a), such debts and other liabilities of the company as are incurred at a time when that person was involved in the management of the company, and

(b)in relation to a person who is personally responsible under paragraph (1)(b), such debts and other liabilities of the company as are incurred at a time when that person was acting or was willing to act on instructions given as mentioned in that paragraph.

(4) For the purposes of this Article, a person is involved in the management of a company if he is a director of the company or if he is concerned, whether directly or indirectly, or takes part, in the management of the company.

(5) For the purposes of this Article a person who, as a person involved in the management of a company, has at any time acted on instructions given without the leave of the High Court by a person whom he knew at that time to be—

(a)the subject of a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking, or

(b)the subject of a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (c. 46), or

(c)an undischarged bankrupt,

is presumed, unless the contrary is shown, to have been willing at any time thereafter to act on any instructions given that person.

[F73Compensation orders and undertakingsN.I.

Compensation orders and undertakingsN.I.

19A—(1) The High Court may make a compensation order against a person on the application of the Department if the Court is satisfied that the conditions mentioned in paragraph (3) are met.

(2) If it appears to the Department that the conditions mentioned in paragraph (3) are met in respect of a person who has offered to give the Department a compensation undertaking, the Department may accept the undertaking instead of applying, or proceeding with an application, for a compensation order.

(3) The conditions are that—

(a)the person is subject to a disqualification order or disqualification undertaking under this Order, and

(b)conduct for which the person is subject to the order or undertaking has caused loss to one or more creditors of an insolvent company of which the person has at any time been a director.

(4) An “insolvent company” is a company that is or has been insolvent and a company becomes insolvent if—

(a)the company goes into liquidation at a time when its assets are insufficient for the payment of its debts and other liabilities and the expenses of the winding up,

(b)the company enters administration, or

(c)an administrative receiver of the company is appointed.

(5) The Department may apply for a compensation order at any time before the end of the period of two years beginning with the date on which the disqualification order referred to in paragraph (3)(a) was made, or the disqualification undertaking referred to in that paragraph was accepted.

(6) In the case of a person subject to a disqualification order under Article 11A or 11D, or a disqualification undertaking under Article 11C or 11E, the reference in paragraph (3)(b) to conduct is a reference to the conduct of the main transgressor in relation to which the person has exercised the requisite amount of influence.

Amounts payable under compensation orders and undertakingsN.I.

19B—(1) A compensation order is an order requiring the person against whom it is made to pay an amount specified in the order—

(a)to the Department for the benefit of—

(i)a creditor or creditors specified in the order;

(ii)a class or classes of creditor so specified;

(b)as a contribution to the assets of a company so specified.

(2) A compensation undertaking is an undertaking to pay an amount specified in the undertaking—

(a)to the Department for the benefit of—

(i)a creditor or creditors specified in the undertaking;

(ii)a class or classes of creditor so specified;

(b)as a contribution to the assets of a company so specified.

(3) When specifying an amount the High Court (in the case of an order) and the Department (in the case of an undertaking) must in particular have regard to—

(a)the amount of the loss caused;

(b)the nature of the conduct mentioned in Article 19A(3)(b);

(c)whether the person has made any other financial contribution in recompense for the conduct (whether under a statutory provision or otherwise).

(4) An amount payable by virtue of paragraph (2) under a compensation undertaking is recoverable as if payable under a court order.

(5) An amount payable under a compensation order or compensation undertaking is provable as a bankruptcy debt.

Variation and revocation of compensation undertakingsN.I.

19C—(1) The High Court may, on the application of a person who is subject to a compensation undertaking—

(a)reduce the amount payable under the undertaking, or

(b)provide for the undertaking not to have effect.

(2) On the hearing of an application under paragraph (1), the Department must appear and call the attention of the Court to any matters which the Department considers relevant, and may give evidence or call witnesses.]

Supplementary provisionsN.I.

Application for disqualification orderN.I.

20.—(1) A person intending to apply for the making of a disqualification order by the High Court shall give not less than 10 days' notice of his intention to the person against whom the order is sought; and on the hearing of the application the last-mentioned person may appear and himself give evidence or call witnesses.

(2) An application to the High Court for the making against any person of a disqualification order under any of Articles 5 to 7 may be made by the Department or the official receiver, or by the liquidator or any past or present member or creditor of any company [F74or overseas company] in relation to which that person has committed or is alleged to have committed an offence or other default.

(3) On the hearing of an application made by[F75 a person falling within paragraph (4)] the applicant shall appear and call the attention of the High Court to any matters which seem to be relevant, and may give evidence or call witnesses.

F76[(4) The following fall within this paragraph—

(a)the Department;

(b)the official receiver;

(c)the [F77CMA];

(d)the liquidator;

(e)a specified regulator (within the meaning of Article 13E).]

Application for leave under an order or undertakingN.I.

21.—[F78(1)] On the hearing of an application for leave for the purposes of Article 3(1)(a) or 4(1)(a), the Department shall appear and call the attention of the High Court to any matters which seem to the Department to be relevant, and may give evidence or call witnesses.

F79[(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to an application for leave for the purposes of Article 3(1)(a) if the application for the disqualification order was made under Article 13A.

(3) In such a case and in the case of an application for leave for the purposes of Article 13B(4) on the hearing of the application whichever of the [F80CMA] or a specified regulator (within the meaning of Article 13E) applied for the order or accepted the undertaking (as the case may be)—

(a)must appear and draw the attention of the Court to any matters which appears to it to be relevant;

(b)may give evidence or call witnesses.]

Register of disqualification orders and undertakingsN.I.

22.—(1) Where—

(a)a disqualification order is made, or

(b)any action is taken by a court in consequence of which such an order or a disqualification undertaking is varied or ceases to be in force, or

(c)leave is granted by the High Court for a person subject to such an order to do any thing which otherwise the order prohibits him from doing, or

(d)leave is granted by the High Court for a person subject to such an undertaking to do anything which otherwise the undertaking prohibits him from doing,

the clerk of the court shall furnish to the Department and to the Secretary of State such particulars as may be prescribed and regulations may prescribe the time within which, and the form and manner in which, such particulars are to be furnished.

(2) The Department shall, from the particulars so furnished continue to maintain the register of disqualification orders, and of cases in which leave has been granted as mentioned in paragraph (1)(c)F81. . . .

F82[(3) The Department shall include in the register such particulars as it considers appropriate of—

(a)disqualification undertakings accepted by it under Article [F838A, 10, 11, 11C or 11E] ;

(b)disqualification undertakings accepted by the [F84CMA] or a specified regulator under Article 13B;

(c)cases in which leave has been granted as mentioned in paragraph (1)(d).]

(4) When an order or undertaking of which entry is made in the register ceases to be in force, the Department shall delete the entry from the register and all particulars relating to it which have been furnished to the Department under this Article or any previous corresponding provision and, in the case of a disqualification undertaking, any other particulars the Department has included in the register.

(5) The register shall be open to inspection on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.

(6) The Department may furnish to the Secretary of State such particulars as the Department considers appropriate of disqualification undertakings accepted by it under Article 10 or 11.

(7) Regulations under this Article may extend the preceding provisions of this Article, to such extent and with such modifications as may be specified in the regulations, to disqualification orders made and disqualification undertakings accepted under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (c. 46).

Miscellaneous and generalN.I.

Admissibility in evidence of statementsN.I.

23.—(1) In any proceedings (whether or not under this Order), any statement made in pursuance of a requirement imposed by or under Articles [F858A to 14, 17A] or 19 [F86to 19C] or Schedule 1 or by or under rules made for the purposes of this Order under [F87the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989], may be used in evidence against any person making or concurring in making the statement.

(2) However, in criminal proceedings in which any such person is charged with an offence to which this paragraph applies—

(a)no evidence relating to the statement may be adduced, and

(b)no question relating to it may be asked,

by or on behalf of the prosecution, unless evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of that person.

(3) Paragraph (2) applies to any offence other than—

(a)an offence which is—

(i)created by rules made for the purposes of this Order under [F88the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989], and

(ii)designated for the purposes of this paragraph by such rules or by regulations;

(b)an offence which is—

(i)created by regulations made under any such rules, and

(ii)designated for the purposes of this paragraph by such regulations; or

(c)an offence under Article 10 of the Perjury (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (NI 19) (false statements made otherwise than on oath).

(4) Regulations under paragraph (3)(a)(ii) shall after being made be laid before the Assembly.

[F89Legal professional privilegeN.I.

23A.  In proceedings against a person for an offence under this Order nothing in this Order is to be taken to require any person to disclose any information that he is entitled to refuse to disclose on grounds of legal professional privilege.]

Interaction with [F90the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989]N.I.

24.—(1) Articles 4, [F918A to 14, 17A] , 18, 19 [F92to 19C] and 23 and Schedule 1, and Articles 3 and 21 as they apply for the purposes of those provisions, are deemed included in Parts II to VII of [F93the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989] for the purposes of the following Articles of that Order—

• Article 359 (power to make insolvency rules);

• Article 361 (fees orders);

• Article 364 (orders extending provisions about insolvent companies to insolvent partnerships);

• Article 366 (modifications of such provisions in their application to recognised banks).

(2) Article 378 of that Order (Crown application) applies to Articles 4, [F918A to 14, 17A] , 18, 19 [F92to 19C] and 23 and Schedule 1, and Articles 3 and 21 as they apply for the purposes of those provisions, as it does to the provisions of that Order which are there mentioned.

[F94Bank insolvencyN.I.

24A  Section 121 of the Banking Act 2009 provides for this Act to apply in relation to bank insolvency as it applies in relation to liquidation.]

[F95Bank administrationN.I.

24B  Section 155 of the Banking Act 2009 provides for this Act to apply in relation to bank administration as it applies in relation to liquidation.]

[F96Building society insolvency and special administrationN.I.

24C.  Section 90E of the Building Societies Act 1986 provides for this Act to apply in relation to building society insolvency and building society special administration as it applies in relation to liquidation.]

[F97Application of Order to building societiesN.I.

24D.—(1) This Order applies to building societies as it applies to companies.

(2) References in this Order to a company, or to a director or an officer of a company, include, respectively, references to a building society within the meaning of the Building Societies Act 1986 or to a director or officer, within the meaning of that Act, of a building society.

(3) In relation to a building society the definition of “shadow director” in Article 2(2) applies with the substitution of “building society” for “company”.

F98(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Application of Order to open-ended investment companiesN.I.

F9924E.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application of Order to incorporated friendly societiesN.I.

25 .F100—(1) This Order applies to incorporated friendly societies as it applies to companies.

(2) References in this Order to a company, or to a director or an officer of a company include, respectively, references to an incorporated friendly society within the meaning of the Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40) or to a member of the committee of management or officer, within the meaning of that Act, of an incorporated friendly society.

(3) In relation to an incorporated friendly society every reference to a shadow director shall be omitted.

[F101(3A) In relation to an incorporated friendly society, this Order applies as if Articles 11A to 11E were omitted.]

F102(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F103Application of Order to registered societiesN.I.

25A.—(1) This Order applies to societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 (c. 24) (“registered societies”) as it applies to companies.

(2) In its application to registered societies, this Order shall have effect as follows—

(a)references in this Order to a company, or to a director or an officer of a company shall include, respectively, references to a registered society or to a member of the committee of management or officer, within the meaning of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 (c. 24), of a registered society;

(b)in Article 5(1) “striking off of a company” shall include the cancellation of the registration of a registered society under that Act;

(c)in Articles 6(1) and 8(1) “the companies legislation” shall include that Act;

F104(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)references to the registrar shall have effect as references to the registrar as defined in section 101(1) of that Act;

(f)references to a shadow director shall be omitted.

[F105(g)Articles 11A to 11E are to be disregarded.]

F106(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Transitional provisions, savings, amendments and repealsN.I.

26.—(1) The transitional provisions and savings in Schedule 2 shall have effect for the purposes of this Order.

(2) The statutory provisions specified in Schedule 3 shall have effect subject to the amendments specified there, being amendments consequential on the provisions of this Order.

(3) The Department may by order, subject to negative resolution, make—

(a)any supplementary, incidental or consequential provision, and

(b)any transitory, transitional or saving provision,

which it considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of this Order.

(4) An order under paragraph (3) may—

(a)modify, exclude or apply (with or without modifications) any statutory provision;

(b)make consequential amendments, repeals and revocations of any such provision.

(5) Subject to paragraph (1) and any transitory, transitional or saving provision made under paragraph (3), the statutory provisions specified in Schedule 4 are hereby repealed to the extent specified in column 2 of that Schedule.

SCHEDULES

Article 17A

[F107SCHEDULE 1N.I.DETERMINING UNFITNESS ETC: MATTERS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

F108Matters to be taken into account in all casesN.I.

1  The extent to which the person was responsible for the causes of any material contravention by a company or overseas company of any applicable legislative or other requirement.N.I.

2  Where applicable, the extent to which the person was responsible for the causes of a company or overseas company becoming insolvent.N.I.

3  The frequency of conduct of the person which falls within paragraph 1 or 2.N.I.

4  The nature and extent of any loss or harm caused, or any potential loss or harm which could have been caused, by the person's conduct in relation to a company or overseas company.N.I.

Additional matters to be taken into account where the person is or has been a directorN.I.

5  Any misfeasance or breach of any fiduciary duty by the director in relation to a company or overseas company.N.I.

6  Any material breach of any legislative or other obligation of the director which applies as a result of being a director of a company or overseas company.N.I.

7  The frequency of conduct of the director which falls within paragraph 5 or 6.N.I.

InterpretationN.I.

8  Paragraphs (1A) to (2A) of Article 9 apply for the purposes of this Schedule as they apply for the purposes of that Article.N.I.

9  In this Schedule “director” includes a shadow director.]N.I.

SCHEDULE 2N.I.TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND SAVINGS

1.  In this Schedule, “the commencement date” for the purposes of any provision of this Schedule, means the day appointed under Article 1 for the coming into operation of that provision.N.I.

2.  Where any period of time specified in any provision repealed by Article 26(3) and Schedule 4 is current immediately before the commencement date, this Order has effect as if the corresponding provision had been in operation when the period began to run; and (without prejudice to the foregoing) any period of time so specified and current is deemed for the purposes of this Order—N.I.

(a)to run from the date or event from which it was running immediately before the commencement date, and

(b)to expire (subject to any provision of this Order for its extension) whenever it would have expired if this Order had not been passed;

and any rights, priorities, liabilities, reliefs, obligations, requirements, powers, duties or exemptions dependent on the beginning, duration or end of such a period as above mentioned shall be under this Order as they were or would have been under that repealed provision.

3.  The provision of this Schedule shall have effect without prejudice to sections 28 and 29 of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33).N.I.

N.I.

Schedule 3—Amendments

N.I.

Schedule 4—Repeals