Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002

Termination: winding-up by court

50 Introduction

(1) Section 51 applies where a petition is presented under section 124 of the Insolvency Act 1986 for the winding up of a commonhold association by the court.

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) an “insolvent commonhold association” is one in relation to which a winding-up petition has been presented under section 124 of the Insolvency Act 1986,

(b) a commonhold association is the “successor commonhold association” to an insolvent commonhold association if the land specified for the purpose of section 34(1)(a) is the same for both associations, and

(c) a “winding-up order” is an order under section 125 of the Insolvency Act 1986 for the winding up of a commonhold association.

51 Succession order

(1) At the hearing of the winding-up petition an application may be made to the court for an order under this section (a “succession order”) in relation to the insolvent commonhold association.

(2) An application under subsection (1) may be made only by—

(a) the insolvent commonhold association,

(b) one or more members of the insolvent commonhold association, or

(c) a provisional liquidator for the insolvent commonhold association appointed under section 135 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

(3) An application under subsection (1) must be accompanied by—

(a) prescribed evidence of the formation of a successor commonhold association, and

(b) a certificate given by the directors of the successor commonhold association that its memorandum and articles of association comply with regulations under paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 3.

(4) The court shall grant an application under subsection (1) unless it thinks that the circumstances of the insolvent commonhold association make a succession order inappropriate.

52 Assets and liabilities

(1) Where a succession order is made in relation to an insolvent commonhold association this section applies on the making of a winding-up order in respect of the association.

(2) The successor commonhold association shall be entitled to be registered as the proprietor of the freehold estate in the common parts.

(3) The insolvent commonhold association shall for all purposes cease to be treated as the proprietor of the freehold estate in the common parts.

(4) The succession order—

(a) shall make provision as to the treatment of any charge over all or any part of the common parts;

(b) may require the Registrar to take action of a specified kind;

(c) may enable the liquidator to require the Registrar to take action of a specified kind;

(d) may make supplemental or incidental provision.

53 Transfer of responsibility

(1) Where a succession order is made in relation to an insolvent commonhold association this section applies on the making of a winding-up order in respect of the association.

(2) The successor commonhold association shall be treated as the commonhold association for the commonhold in respect of any matter which relates to a time after the making of the winding-up order.

(3) On the making of the winding-up order the court may make an order requiring the liquidator to make available to the successor commonhold association specified—

(a) records;

(b) copies of records;

(c) information.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may include terms as to—

(a) timing;

(b) payment.

54 Termination of commonhold

(1) This section applies where the court—

(a) makes a winding-up order in respect of a commonhold association, and

(b) has not made a succession order in respect of the commonhold association.

(2) The liquidator of a commonhold association shall as soon as possible notify the Registrar of—

(a) the fact that this section applies,

(b) any directions given under section 168 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45) (liquidator: supplementary powers),

(c) any notice given to the court and the registrar of companies in accordance with section 172(8) of that Act (liquidator vacating office after final meeting),

(d) any notice given to the Secretary of State under section 174(3) of that Act (completion of winding-up),

(e) any application made to the registrar of companies under section 202(2) of that Act (insufficient assets: early dissolution),

(f) any notice given to the registrar of companies under section 205(1)(b) of that Act (completion of winding-up), and

(g) any other matter which in the liquidator’s opinion is relevant to the Registrar.

(3) Notification under subsection (2)(b) to (f) must be accompanied by a copy of the directions, notice or application concerned.

(4) The Registrar shall—

(a) make such arrangements as appear to him to be appropriate for ensuring that the freehold estate in land in respect of which a commonhold association exercises functions ceases to be registered as a freehold estate in commonhold land as soon as is reasonably practicable after he receives notification under subsection (2)(c) to (f), and

(b) take such action as appears to him to be appropriate for the purpose of giving effect to a determination made by the liquidator in the exercise of his functions.