Insolvency Act 1986

[F1390BPartial authorisation: acting in relation to partnershipsE+W+S

(1)A person who is partially authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to companies may nonetheless not accept an appointment to act in 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 subsection (9), a person who is partially authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to companies may nonetheless not continue to act in 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 court.

(4)Subject to subsection (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 court.

(5)The court may grant a person permission to continue to act for the purposes of subsection (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 subsection (3) or (4) may alternatively apply to the 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 court for permission to continue to act or for a replacement order under—

(a)where acting in relation to a company, this section or, if it applies, section 168(5B) (member of insolvent partnership: England and Wales);

(b)where acting in relation to an individual, this section or, if it applies, section 303(2C) (member of insolvent partnership: England and Wales).

(8)A person who acts as an insolvency practitioner in contravention of any of subsections (1) to (4) is guilty of an offence under section 389 (acting without qualification).

(9)A person does not contravene subsection (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 in the subsection, the person—

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

(b)applies to the court for a replacement order.

(10)For the purposes of subsection (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 any part of Great Britain;

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

  (a)

  the expiry of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day on which the person applies to the court as mentioned in subsection (9)(a) or (b), and

  (b)

  the day on which the court disposes of the application (by granting or refusing it);

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