Finance Act 2004

[F1272CFormer scheme administrator etc to retain liabilityU.K.

(1)This section applies in relation to a liability which, by reason of section 272A(4), is not assumed by P (in which case “the relevant day” is to be read in accordance with section 272A(3)).

(2)This section also applies in relation to a liability which, by reason of section 272B(2), is not assumed by Q (in which case “the relevant day” is to be read in accordance with section 272B(5)).

(3)The liability is to be retained or assumed by the person who is, or the persons who are, the scheme administrator immediately before the relevant day (unless dead or having ceased to exist).

(4)If there is no scheme administrator immediately before the relevant day, the liability is to be retained or assumed by the person who was, or the persons who were, the scheme administrator when there last was a scheme administrator before the relevant day (unless dead or having ceased to exist).

(5)Nothing in section 271 prevents a person from having (and continuing to have) the liability by reason of subsection (3) or (4).

(6)Subsection (7) applies if—

(a)no-one has the liability by reason of subsection (3) or (4),

(b)no-one who has the liability by reason of subsection (3) or (4) can be traced, or

(c)the person who has, or all the persons who have, the liability by reason of subsection (3) or (4) are in serious default (as determined in accordance with section 272(6)).

(7)The liability is to be assumed by the person or persons determined in accordance with section 272(4).

(8)Section 272(5) applies in relation to a person who assumes the liability by reason of subsection (7) as it applies in relation to a person who assumes a liability by reason of section 272.

(9)Nothing in this section prevents any person from being subject to the liability apart from this section (in addition to any person who is subject to the liability by reason of this section), and in particular the liability continues to be a liability of the scheme administrator for the purposes of section 271(2).

(10)If a person assumes the liability under section 271(2) at a time after P or Q's appointment as, or as one of the persons who are, the scheme administrator has ceased, the person who has, or the persons who have, the liability by reason of subsection (3) or (4) is, or are, released from the liability.

(11)A person who has, or persons who have, the liability by reason of subsection (3) or (4) may apply to an officer of Revenue and Customs to be released from the liability.

(12)Section 271(6) to (13) applies in relation to an application under subsection (11) as it applies in relation to an application under section 271(5).]