The Insolvency (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2011

Rule 8

SCHEDULE 1

PART 5A of the Insolvency Rules (Northern Ireland) 1991

“PART 5A DEBT RELIEF ORDERS

CHAPTER 1 Preliminary

Scope of this part: introductory and interpretation

5A.1.   The Rules in this Part apply in relation to debt relief orders and applications for debt relief orders under Part 7A of the Order.

Completion and sending of documents electronically and in hard copy

5A.2.   In Rules 5A.5, 5A.7, 5A.8, 5A.10, 5A.16, 5A.20 and 5A.24, a document—

(a) is sent by electronic means, if it is sent initially and received at its destination by means of electronic equipment for the processing (which expression includes digital compression) or storage of data and entirely created, transmitted, conveyed and received by wire, by radio, by optical means or by other electromagnetic means but does not include electronic facsimile transmission or mobile telephonic text messaging;

(b) is completed in electronic form, if it is a document which is created, and sent, by electronic means; and

(c) is hard copy, if it is a document completed and sent on paper and capable of being read (but is not the product of an electronic facsimile transmission).

Excluded debts

5A.3.— (1) For the purposes of Part 7A of the Order and this Part of the Rules—

“excluded debt” means—

(a)

any fine imposed for an offence and any obligation (including an obligation to pay a lump sum or to pay costs) arising under an order made in family proceedings or any obligation arising under a maintenance calculation made under the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991(1)

(b)

any obligation arising under a confiscation order made under Article 4 or 5 of the Criminal Justice (Confiscation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990(2) or under Parts 2, 3 or 4 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002(3);

(c)

any debt or liability to which a debtor is or may become subject in respect of any sum paid or payable to the debtor as a student by way of a loan and which he receives before or after a debt relief order is made in respect of him; and

(d)

any debt which consists of a liability to pay damages for negligence, nuisance or breach of a statutory, contractual or other duty, or to pay damages by virtue of Part II of the Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987(4), being in either case damages in respect of the death of or personal injury (including any disease or other impairment of physical or mental condition) to any person.

(2) In paragraph (1),

“fine” and “family proceedings” have the meanings given by Article 255(8).

“loan” means a loan made pursuant to—

(a)

regulations made under Article 3(1) of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998(5), or

(b)

the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990(6), or that Order as it continues in force by virtue of any savings made, in connection with its repeal by the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, by an order made under Article 1(3) of that Order,

including any interest on the loan and any penalties or charges incurred in connection with it.

Application for a debt relief order – information to be in the application

5A.4.— (1) In addition to the matters referred to in Article 208B(2)(a) and (b) of the Order and subject to paragraphs (5) to (11), an application for a debt relief order under Article 208A must also state the matters set out in paragraphs (2) to (4) as they subsist at the date of the application.

(2) The application must state—

(a) the debtor’s surname, forenames and occupation (if any);

(b) the debtor’s gender and date of birth;

(c) the debtor’s places of residence during the three years preceding the date of the application;

(d) any name or names used by the debtor for any purpose, if different from the above;

(e) the name, address and nature of any business carried on by the debtor, including any business carried on by—

(i) a firm or partnership of which the debtor is a member;

(ii) an agent or manager for the debtor or for such firm or partnership;

(f) any other liabilities (including those imposed by an order of the court) to which the debtor is subject;

(g) the address of the creditor to whom each debt is owed;

(h) the total amount of the debtor’s monthly income from any source (see Rule 5A.12(1));

(i) the sources of that income and the amount from each source;

(j) particulars of the expenditure which the debtor claims is necessary to meet the monthly reasonable domestic needs of the debtor and the debtor’s family, including the object and the amount of that expenditure (see Rule 5A.12(2));

(k) the total amount available from any source to meet the claimed monthly reasonable domestic needs of the debtor and his family (see Rule 5A.12(2)); and

(l) particulars of the debtor’s property and its total estimated value (see Rule 5A.13 and 5A.14).

(3) The debtor must also state in the application—

(a) whether or not the debtor at the date of the application—

(i) has given a preference to any person during the period of two years prior to and ending with the application date;

(ii) has entered into a transaction with any person at an undervalue during the period of two years prior to and ending with the application date;

(iii) is domiciled in Northern Ireland;

(iv) at any time during the period of three years ending with the application date,

(aa) was ordinarily resident,

(bb) had a place of residence, or

(cc) carried on business,

in Northern Ireland;

(v) is an undischarged bankrupt;

(vi) is subject to a debt relief order;

(vii) has been subject to a debt relief order in the six years preceding the date of the application;

(viii) is subject to an interim order or a voluntary arrangement under Chapter 2 of Part 8 of the Order;

(ix) is subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or undertaking or debt relief restrictions order or undertaking; or

(x) has made an excessive pension contribution, which must be construed in accordance with Article 315A of the Order; and

(b) whether at the date of the application—

(i) a bankruptcy petition has been presented by the debtor or by a creditor against the debtor;

(ii) a bankruptcy petition has been presented by the debtor, but the court has referred the debtor for the purpose of making an application for a debt relief order;

(iii) an administration order under Part 6 of the Judgments Enforcement Order (see Article 208F) is in force in respect of the debtor; and

(iv) any other legal action has been taken against the debtor in respect of any of the debtor’s existing debts.

(4) In the application, the debtor must also—

(a) consent to checks being made by the official receiver for the purpose of verifying that the debtor complies with the conditions to which the making of a debt relief order is subject;

(b) state that the debtor is unable to pay his debts;

(c) request a debt relief order; and

(d) indicate the date on which the application is completed.

(5) The debtor must submit to the approved intermediary such information and such documents by reference to which the information in the application, including information about each debt, the amount of the debt and the name and address of the creditor, may be substantiated.

(6) In making the application, the debtor must in every case deduct from the amount of the debt all trade and other discounts which are available to the debtor, except any discount for immediate, early or cash settlement.

(7) Subject to paragraph (8), where a debt was incurred or is payable in a currency other than sterling, the amount of the debt must be converted into sterling at the official exchange rate prevailing on the application date.

(8) The official exchange rate is the middle exchange rate on the London foreign exchange market at the close of business, as published for the date in question or, in the absence of any such published rate for the date in question, such rate as the official receiver determines.

(9) Where a debt consists of unpaid payments of a periodical nature, the amount of the debt must consist of any amounts due and unpaid up to the date of the application.

(10) Where at the application date any payment was accruing due, the debt must consist of so much as would have fallen due at that date, if accruing from day to day.

(11) A debtor may include a debt of which payment is not yet due at the date of the application, provided that it is for a liquidated sum payable at some certain future time.

Application for a debt relief order

5A.5.— (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an application for a debt relief order must be completed and sent to the official receiver in electronic form and by electronic means.

(2) An application in electronic form sent by electronic means must be treated as not having been submitted unless and until its receipt has been acknowledged by the official receiver in the same form and by the same means.

(3) In the event of any malfunction or error in the operation of the electronic form or means referred to, the official receiver must notify the competent authorities and approved intermediaries—

(a) that approved intermediaries may, for a specified period, complete and send applications in hard copy form; and

(b) of the postal address to which such applications are to be sent and any terms or conditions to which their use is subject.

Approved Intermediary

5A.6.— (1) The approved intermediary, as and when requested by a debtor who proposes to make an application for a debt relief order through him, must create an application for a debt relief order in the name of the debtor.

(2) The approved intermediary through whom the application for a debt relief order is to be made may assist the debtor—

(a) to identify what information is required to complete the application;

(b) based upon the documentation and information supplied by the debtor, to ascertain whether—

(i) the debtor appears to have debts not exceeding the prescribed amount;

(ii) the debtor’s surplus income does not exceed the prescribed amount; and

(iii) the value of the debtor’s property does not exceed the prescribed amount; and

(c) to ensure that the application (if any) is completed in full.

(3) The approved intermediary must draw the debtor’s attention to—

(a) all the conditions to which an application for, and the making of, a debt relief order is subject;

(b) the possible consequences of the making by the debtor of any false representation or omission in the debtor’s application; and

(c) the fact that verification checks will be made for the purpose of verifying that the debtor complies with the conditions to which the making of a debt relief order is subject and the requirement for the debtor to consent to such checks being made.

(4) If and when instructed to do so by the debtor, the approved intermediary must send the application to the official receiver on behalf of the debtor.

Notice to be given by official receiver to Enforcement of Judgments Office of application for a debt relief order

5A.7.   The official receiver must, immediately on receipt of an application for a debt relief order, complete and send notice to the Enforcement of Judgments Office in electronic form and by electronic means stating,

(a) the name and current address of the debtor;

(b) any previous addresses listed by the debtor in his application;

(c) the date of, and the reference number allocated to, the debtor’s application;

(d) the debtor’s date of birth; and

(e) the debtor’s national insurance number.

Notice to be given by official receiver to Enforcement of Judgments Office of cancellation of application for debt relief order

5A.8.   —In the event of an application for a debt relief order being cancelled prior to its being considered by the official receiver in accordance with Article 208C, the official receiver must, as soon as reasonably practicable, complete and send notice to the Enforcement of Judgments Office in electronic form and by electronic means stating—

(a) the name and current address of the debtor;

(b) any previous addresses by the debtor in his application;

(c) the date of, and the reference number allocated to, the debtor’s application;

(d) the debtor’s date of birth;

(e) the debtor’s national insurance number; and

(f) the date on which the application was cancelled.

Form, manner and reasons for refusal of application for debt relief order

5A.9.— (1) The official receiver must notify the debtor of his decision to refuse an application for a debt relief order in accordance with this Rule.

(2) The official receiver must send a notice in writing to the debtor stating—

(a) that the official receiver has decided to refuse the debtor’s application, and

(b) the reason for which it has been refused.

Notice to be given by official receiver to Enforcement of Judgments Office of decision to refuse an application for a debt relief order

5A.10.   —The official receiver must complete and send notice of any decision to refuse an application for a debt relief order to the Enforcement of Judgments Office in electronic form and by electronics means stating—

(a) the name and current address of the debtor;

(b) any previous addresses listed by the debtor in his application;

(c) the date of, and the reference number allocated to, the debtor’s application;

(d) the debtor’s date of birth;

(e) the debtor’s national insurance number; and

(f) the date on which the official receiver decided to refuse the application.

Prescribed verification checks – conditions in paragraphs 1 to 8 of Schedule 2ZA

5.A.11.— (1) In this Rule, “credit reference agency” means a person licensed to carry on a business comprising the furnishing of information relevant to the financial standing of individuals.

(2) For the purposes of paragraphs (4) and (5) of Article 208D and the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 to 8 of Schedule 2ZA, the prescribed verification checks are those searches or enquiries specified in relation to the condition in paragraphs (3) to (8).

(3) For the purpose of verifying a debtor’s connection with Northern Ireland on the application date, verification checks made in, or with, one or more of the following—

(a) the electoral registers for the areas in Northern Ireland in which the debtor in, and at the date of, the debtor’s application, claims to reside or to carry on business or to have resided or carried on business;

(b) the Department’s records of bankruptcy orders made;

(c) the register of individual voluntary arrangements;

(d) the register of debt relief orders;

(e) the bankruptcy restrictions register;

(f) the debt relief restrictions register;

(g) a credit reference agency.

(4) For the purpose of verifying that a debtor—

(a) is not, on the determination date—

(i) an undischarged bankrupt;

(ii) subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or undertaking;

(iii) subject to a debt relief restrictions order or undertaking;

(iv) subject to an individual voluntary arrangement; or

(b) has not been the subject of a debt relief order in the period of 6 years ending with the determination date,

verification checks made in one or more of the records and registers specified in paragraph (5).

(5) The records and registers referred to in paragraph (4) are—

(a) the Department’s records of bankruptcy orders made;

(b) the register of individual voluntary arrangements;

(c) the register of debt relief orders;

(d) the bankruptcy restrictions register; and

(e) the debt relief restrictions register.

(6) For the purpose of verifying—

(a) that the debtor is not, on the determination date, subject to an interim order;

(b) whether a debtor’s or creditor’s bankruptcy petition has been presented against the debtor prior to the determination date;

(c) where a bankruptcy petition has been presented against the debtor prior to the determination date, whether proceedings in relation to the petition have finally been disposed of before the determination date;

(d) where a bankruptcy petition has been presented against the debtor prior to the determination date, the status of the proceedings in relation to the petition and whether the court has referred the debtor under Article 248A(2) for the purpose of making an application for a debt relief order;

(e) where a creditor’s bankruptcy petition has been presented against the debtor prior to the determination date, the status of the proceedings in relation to the petition and whether the person who presented the petition has consented to the making of the application for a debt relief order,

verification checks made in, or with one or more of the sources specified in paragraph (7).

(7) The sources are—

(a) the Department’s records of deposits under Article 3 of the Insolvency (Deposits) Order (Northern Ireland) 1991(7) paid prior to presentation of a bankruptcy petition;

(b) the court’s records;

(c) a credit reference agency.

(8) For the purpose of verifying that—

(a) the amount of the debtor’s overall indebtedness;

(b) the amount of the debtor’s monthly surplus income; or

(c) the total value of the debtor’s property;

does not exceed the prescribed amount, verification checks made with a credit reference agency.

Determination of debtor’s monthly surplus income

5A.12.— (1) For the purposes of this Part, the income of a debtor comprises every payment in the nature of income which is from time to time made to him or to which he from time to time becomes entitled, including any payment in respect of the carrying on of any business or in respect of any office or employment and (despite anything in Article 12 or 13 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999(8)any payment under a pension scheme.

(2) In determining the monthly surplus income of a debtor, the official receiver must take into account any contribution made by any member of the debtor’s family to the amount necessary for the reasonable domestic needs of the debtor and his family.

Determination of value of a debtor’s property

5A.13.— (1) Subject to Rule 5A.14, the official receiver in determining whether the condition in paragraph 8 of Schedule 2ZA to the Order is met must regard as a debtor’s property for the purposes of this Part—

(a) all property belonging to or vested in the debtor on the determination date, and

(b) any property which by virtue of paragraphs (2) and (3) or Rule 5A.14 is comprised in or is treated as falling within sub-paragraph (a).

(2) References in this Part to property, in relation to a debtor, include references to any power exercisable by him over or in respect of property except in so far as the power is exercisable over or in respect of property which is not or is deemed not for the time being to be the property of the debtor and cannot be exercised for the benefit of the debtor, and a power exercisable over or in respect of property is deemed for the purposes of this Part to vest in the person entitled to exercise it at the time of the transaction or event by virtue of which it is exercisable by that person (whether or not it becomes so exercisable at that time).

(3) For the purposes of any such provision in this Part, property belonging to or vested in the debtor so belongs or vests in him subject to the rights of any person other than the debtor (whether as a secured creditor of the debtor or otherwise) in relation to it.

Particular descriptions of property to be excluded for the purpose of determining the value of a person’s property

5A.14.— (1) For the purposes of Rule 5A.13, the official receiver must disregard—

(a) subject to paragraph (2), a single domestic motor vehicle belonging to or vested in the debtor provided that—

(i) it has been especially adapted for use by him because he has a physical impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities; or

(ii) the maximum potential realisable value of the vehicle is less than the prescribed amount;

(b) subject to paragraph (3), such tools, books and other items of equipment as are necessary to the debtor for use personally by him in his employment, business or vocation;

(c) such clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment and provisions as are necessary for satisfying the basic domestic needs of the debtor and his family;

(d) property held by the debtor on trust for any other person; or

(e) any right of the debtor under an approved pension arrangement scheme within the meaning of Article 12 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

(2) Where—

(a) a vehicle is to be disregarded by the official receiver by virtue of paragraph (1)(a)(i) (adapted vehicle); and

(b) it appears to the official receiver that the realisable value of the vehicle exceeds the cost of a reasonable replacement for it,

the official receiver must disregard only the value of a reasonable replacement.

(3) Where—

(a) property is to be disregarded by the official receiver by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) or (c) (tools of trade, household effects, etc); and

(b) it appears to the official receiver that the realisable value of the whole or any part of that property exceeds the cost of a reasonable replacement for that property or that part of it,

the official receiver must disregard only the value of a reasonable replacement.

(4) For the purposes of this Rule—

(a) the prescribed amount is £1000; and

(b) property is a reasonable replacement for other property if it is reasonably adequate for meeting the needs met by the other property.

(5) This Rule has effect subject to the provisions of any statutory provisions not contained in these Rules or in the Order under which any property is to be excluded from belonging to or being vested in the debtor for the purposes of the determination of a debt relief order.

Making of debt relief order – form of debt relief order

5A.15.   A debt relief order must be in writing and include the following particulars—

(a) the name and address of the debtor;

(b) the date of, and the reference number allocated to, the debtor’s application;

(c) a list of the debtor’s qualifying debts as at the application date, specifying the amount owed and the creditor’s name, address and reference (if any); and

(d) the date on which the order was made.

Other steps to be taken by official receiver or debtor upon making of the order

5A.16.   In addition to giving a copy of the order to the debtor, the official receiver must—

(a) notify the approved intermediary through whom the debtor’s application was made, of the making and date of the order;

(b) send a copy of the order in electronic form by electronic means to the Enforcement of Judgments Office; and

(c) cause an entry to be made in the register of debt relief orders in accordance with Rule 6A.3A.

Prescribed information to be notified to creditor on making of debt relief order

5A.17.   The official receiver must notify each creditor to whom a qualifying debt specified in the order is owed, of—

(a) the making, the date and the reference number of the order and its effect;

(b) the matters to which a creditor may object under Article 208K; and

(c) the name, address and telephone number of the official receiver sending the notice and the address to which any objection under that Article may or must be sent.

Creditor’s objection

5A.18.— (1) In this Rule, “creditor” means a person specified in a debt relief order as a creditor to whom a specified qualifying debt is owed.

(2) A creditor who wishes to object to—

(a) the making of an order;

(b) the inclusion of the debt in the list of the debtor’s qualifying debts; or

(c) the details of the debt specified in the order,

must object in writing to the official receiver in accordance with this Rule.

(3) For an objection to be considered by the official receiver, it must be made during the moratorium period relating to the order and within 28 days of the date on which the creditor was notified of the making of the order and must include—

(a) the name and address of the creditor;

(b) the name of the debtor and the reference number of the order;

(c) which of the matters under Article 208K the creditor objects to;

(d) a statement indicating at least one or more of the grounds listed in paragraph (4), upon which the creditor relies;

(e) a statement indicating the facts upon which the creditor relies, and

(f) information and documents in support of the grounds and the facts upon which the creditor relies.

(4) The grounds are that—

(a) there is an error in, or an omission from, something specified in the debt relief order;

(b) a bankruptcy order has been made in respect of the debtor;

(c) the debtor has made a proposal under Chapter 2 of Part 8 of the Order;

(d) the official receiver should not have been satisfied that—

(i) the debts specified in the order were qualifying debts of the debtor as at the application date;

(ii) the conditions specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2ZA to the Order were met;

(iii) the conditions specified in Part 2 of that Schedule were met or that any failure to meet such condition did not prevent him from making the order;

(iv) the condition in paragraph 7 of that Schedule was not met at any time after the order was made;

(v) the condition in paragraph 8 of that Schedule was not met at any time after the order was made.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(d)(iv) and (v) above, paragraphs 7 and 8 of Schedule 2ZA to the Order are to be read as if references to the determination date were references to the time in question.

Official receiver’s response to objection

5A.19.— (1) For the purpose of this Rule—

“the creditor” means the creditor specified in a debt relief order as a creditor to whom a qualifying debt is owed and who has made an objection in relation to that order under the Order and the Rules;

“the debt relief order” means the debt relief order in which the creditor is specified;

“the debtor” means the person subject to the debt relief order.

(2) If, after considering an objection in accordance with Article 208K, the official receiver is minded to revoke or amend the debt relief order, he must send to the debtor particulars of—

(a) the objection;

(b) the grounds and facts upon which the creditor relies; and

(c) the address to which the debtor’s comments must be sent,

and invite the debtor to comment on them.

(3) Before deciding whether to revoke or amend the debt relief order, the official receiver must consider any comments by the debtor, provided they are made within 21 days after the particulars were sent to the debtor.

(4) The official receiver must—

(a) within 14 days of coming to a decision specified in Article 208K(5)—

(i) send notice to the creditor under and in accordance with Rule 5A.20 of either the revocation or amendment of the debt relief order under Article 208L; or

(ii) under Rule 5A.23(b), if he would not otherwise be treated as such, treat the creditor as a person interested in any application made under Article 208M by the official receiver to the court for directions or an order in relation to any matter arising in connection with the debt relief order, to whom notice of the official receiver’s application must be sent; or

(iii) send notice to the creditor of the official receiver’s decision to take other steps in relation to the debtor and the steps he proposes to take; or

(b) notify the creditor of the official receiver’s decision to do none of the above.

Procedure to be followed when revoking or amending a debt relief order

5A.20.— (1) Subject to Rule 5A.30, the official receiver must as soon as reasonably practicable after deciding to revoke a debt relief order—

(a) send notice of the decision to revoke to—

(i) the debtor;

(ii) any creditor specified in the debt relief order as a creditor to whom a qualifying debt is owed; and

(iii) the Enforcement of Judgments Office; and

(b) upon the revocation taking effect, provided that information concerning a debt relief order has not been deleted under Rule 6A.3B, cause the entry in the register of debt relief orders relating to the debt relief order to be amended accordingly.

(2) The notice of the decision to revoke to be sent to the debtor and any creditors under paragraph (1)(a)(i) and (a)(ii) must—

(a) identify the debtor and the date and reference number of the debt relief order;

(b) state the reasons for revocation; and

(c) specify the date (whether under paragraph (5) or (7) of Article 208L) on or from which the revocation has effect.

(3) The notice of the decision to revoke to be sent to the Enforcement of Judgments Office under paragraph (1)(a)(iii) must be completed and sent to the Enforcement of Judgments Office in electronic form and by electronic means and must state—

(a) the name and current address of the debtor;

(b) the date and reference number of the debt relief order; and

(c) the date on or from which the revocation has effect.

(4) Where—

(a) a revocation is to take effect from a specified date; and

(b) the official receiver thinks it appropriate to revoke the order under paragraph (7) of Article 208L with immediate effect at any time before that date,

any debtor or creditor to whom notice of the specified date has already been sent pursuant to paragraph (1), and the Enforcement of Judgments Office must be notified by the official receiver of the earlier date on which the revocation has effect.

(5) The notification of the earlier date on which revocation is to take effect to be given to the Enforcement of Judgments Office under paragraph (4) must take the form of the completion and sending to that Office by electronic means of a copy of the electronic form sent to that Office under paragraph (3), with the substitution of the earlier date on which the revocation is to take effect.

(6) Upon amendment of a debt relief order, the official receiver must as soon as reasonably practicable after the amendment—

(a) send notice of the amendment to—

(i) the debtor;

(ii) any creditor specified in the debt relief order as a creditor to whom a qualifying debt is owed; and

(iii) the Enforcement of Judgments Office

(b) in the notice of amendment to be sent to the debtor and any creditor under sub-paragraphs (a)(i)and (a)(ii)—

(i) identify the debtor and the date and reference number of the debt relief order;

(ii) specify the amendment;

(iii) specify the date on which the amendment was made; and

(iv) state the reasons for it;

(c) in the notice of the amendment to be sent to the Enforcement of Judgments Office under sub-paragraph (a)(iii), which must be completed and sent in electronic form and by electronic means, state—

(i) the name and current address of the debtor;

(ii) the date and reference number of the debt relief order;

(iii) the amendment; and

(iv) the date on which the amendment was made; and

(d) cause the entry in the register of debt relief orders relating to the amended debt relief order to be amended accordingly.

Notification of official receiver by debtor of matters in Article 208J(3) or (5)

5A.21.— (1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the debtor becomes aware of—

(a) an error in, or omission from, the information supplied to the official receiver in, or in support of, the application, he must notify the official receiver of—

(i) the nature of the error or omission; and

(ii) the reason for it;

(b) a change in his circumstances between the application date and the determination date that would affect (or would have affected) the determination of the application, he must notify the official receiver of—

(i) the nature of the change; and

(ii) the date of the change.

(2) Where a debt relief order is made and—

(a) there is an increase in the debtor’s income during the moratorium period applicable to the order, the debtor must notify the official receiver, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of the increase, of—

(i) the amount of the increase;

(ii) the reason for it;

(iii) the date of the increase; and

(iv) its expected duration;

(b) the debtor acquires any property or any property is devolved upon him during that period, the debtor must notify the official receiver, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of the acquisition or the devolution, of—

(i) the nature of the acquisition or devolution;

(ii) the date of the acquisition or devolution;

(iii) the reason for it; and

(iv) its value;

(c) the debtor becomes aware of any error in or omission from any information supplied by him to the official receiver after the determination date, the debtor must notify the official receiver, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date on which the debtor becomes aware of it, of—

(i) the nature of the error or omission;

(ii) the reason for it; and

(iii) the date on which the debtor becomes aware of it.

Persons at risk of violence – debt relief orders, debt relief restrictions orders and debt relief restrictions undertakings

5A.22.— (1) For the purposes of this Rule—

“debtor” means a person subject to a debt relief order, or a debt relief restrictions order or a debt relief restrictions undertaking; and

“current address” means in relation to any debtor the address of his current place of residence and any address at which he currently carries on business.

(2) This Rule applies in any case where disclosure or continuing disclosure to other persons (whether to the public generally or to specific persons) of the current address or whereabouts of a debtor might reasonably be expected to lead to violence against him or against a person who normally resides with him as a member of his family.

(3) The court may, subject to paragraph (5)—

(a) on the application of a debtor subject to a debt relief order or the official receiver in respect of such a debtor, order that—

(i) the details in respect of the debtor to be entered onto the register of debt relief orders under Rule 6A.3A must not include details of the debtor’s current address; or

(ii) the details of the debtor’s current address kept on the register of debt relief orders under Rule 6A.1(1A) must be removed from such register;

(b) on the application of a debtor subject to a debt relief restrictions order or the official receiver in respect of such a debtor, order that—

(i) details of the debtor’s current address must be removed from any part of the court file of the proceedings in relation to the debtor which is open to inspection and be kept on a separate file not open to inspection;

(ii) the full title of the proceedings must be amended by the removal of the details of the debtor’s current address from the description of the debtor;

(iii) the details in respect of the debtor to be entered onto the debt relief restrictions register under Rule 6A.5A must not include details of the debtor’s current address; or

(iv) the details of the debtor’s current address kept on the debt relief restrictions register under Rule 6A.1(2)(b) must be removed from such register;

(c) on the application of a debtor subject to a debt relief restrictions undertaking or the official receiver in respect of such a debtor, order that—

(i) the details of the debtor’s current address must be excluded from the details in respect of the debtor to be entered onto the debt relief restrictions register under Rule 6A.5A; or

(ii) the details of the debtor’s current address kept on the debt relief restrictions register under Rule 6A.1(2)(b) must be removed from such register.

(4) Where the court makes an order under paragraph (3), it may further order that—

(a) the full title of any proceedings; or

(b) the details in respect of the debtor kept on or to be entered onto the registers referred to in that paragraph,

as the case may be, must instead include such other details of the debtor’s addresses or whereabouts as the court thinks just, including details of any address at which the debtor has previously resided or carried on business.

(5) In any case where an application is made by a debtor under or by virtue of this Rule, the application must be accompanied by an affidavit referring to this Rule and containing sufficient evidence to satisfy the court, that this Rule applies to or in respect of that debtor.

Application to the High Court under Article 208M

5A.23.   Where an application is made to the court under Article 208M—

(a) by a person who is dissatisfied by any act, omission or decision of the official receiver in connection with a debt relief order or an application for a debt relief order, if the person making the application—

(i) is the debtor, notice of the application to the court must be sent to the official receiver and to any creditor specified in the debt relief order or in the application for a debt relief order; or

(ii) is a person other than the debtor, notice of the application to the court must be sent to the official receiver and to the debtor;

(b) by the official receiver for directions or an order in relation to any matter arising in connection with a debt relief order or an application for such an order, notice of the application must be sent by the official receiver to the debtor and to any person appearing to the official receiver to have an interest in the application.

Extension of moratorium period

5A.24.   Where the moratorium period applicable to a debt relief order is extended—

(a) notice of the extension, and the period for which it is extended, must be sent,

(i) where extended by the court, to the official receiver, who must send a copy to the debtor subject to the debt relief order and to the creditors specified in it;

(ii) where extended by the official receiver, to the debtor subject to the debt relief order and to the creditors specified in it;

(b) the official receiver must also complete and send notice of the extension to the Enforcement of Judgments Office in electronic from and by electronic means stating,

(i) the name and current address of the debtor;

(ii) the date and reference number of the debt relief order;

(iii) the date on which the period by which the moratorium has been extended will end;

(iv) whether the moratorium was extended by the court or the official receiver;

(v) the date on which the extension was made; and

(c) the official receiver must cause to be entered in the register of debt relief orders that—

(i) such an extension has been made in relation to the debtor;

(ii) the date on which the extension was made;

(iii) its duration; and

(iv) the date of the anticipated end of the moratorium period.

Referral of debtor, by the High Court, to intermediary under Article 248A

5A.25.   If, on the hearing of a debtor’s bankruptcy petition, the court refers the debtor to an approved intermediary under Article 248A for the purposes of making an application for a debt relief order, as soon as reasonably practicable after the making of the order of referral—

(a) the court must send to the debtor a sealed copy of the order of referral, and

(b) the debtor must send to the approved intermediary a copy of the order and copies of the debtor’s petition and statement of affairs.

Creditor’s bankruptcy petition – where creditor consents to making of application for a debt relief order

5A.26.— (1) This Rule applies where prior to the determination of an application, a creditor’s petition for bankruptcy has been presented against a debtor and the proceedings in relation to that petition remain before the court.

(2) In this Rule,

“the petition” means the creditor’s bankruptcy petition; and

“the debt” means the debt to which the creditor’s bankruptcy petition relates.

(3) If, on the hearing of the petition, the petitioner consents to the making by the debtor of an application for a debt relief order in respect of the debt—

(a) the court must—

(i) refer the debtor to an approved intermediary (within the meaning of Part 7A) for the purpose of making an application for a debt relief order in relation to the debtor and the debt noting the consent of the creditor on the order for referral;

(ii) stay the proceedings on the petition in relation to the debt on such terms and conditions as it thinks just; and

(b) the debtor must send to the approved intermediary as soon as reasonably practicable after the making of the order of referral,

(i) a sealed copy of the order, and

(ii) copies of the petition and (if any), of the creditor’s statutory demand.

(4) The approved intermediary must, on receipt of the order and the copies, as soon as reasonably practicable after the application for a debt relief order has been made, send them to the official receiver endorsed with the name of the debtor and the number of the application to which they relate.

(5) If, following the reference by the court, a debt relief order is made in relation to the debt, the petition must be dismissed in relation to it unless the court otherwise directs.

Application for leave under Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

5A.27.— (1) An application by a person—

(a) in relation to whom a moratorium period under a debt relief order applies, or

(b) in respect of whom a debt relief restrictions order or undertaking is in force,

for leave (“the applicant for leave”), under Article 15 of the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002(9), to act as director of, or to take part or be concerned in the promotion, formation or management of a company, must be supported by an affidavit complying with this Rule.

(2) The affidavit must identify the company and specify—

(a) the nature of its business or intended business, and the place or places where that business is, or is to be, carried on;

(b) whether it is, or is to be, a private or a public company;

(c) the persons who are, or are to be, principally responsible for the conduct of its affairs (whether as director, shadow directors, managers or otherwise);

(d) the manner and capacity in which the applicant for leave proposes to take part or be concerned in the promotion or formation of the company or, as the case may be, its management; and

(e) the emoluments and other benefits to be obtained from the directorship.

(3) If the company is already in existence, the affidavit must specify the date of its incorporation and the amount of its nominal and issued share capital; and if not, it must specify the amount, or approximate amount, of its proposed commencing share capital, and the sources from which that capital is to be obtained.

(4) Where the applicant for leave intends to take part or be concerned in the promotion or formation of a company, the affidavit must contain an undertaking by the applicant for leave that he will, within not less than 5 business days of the company being incorporated, file in court a copy of its memorandum of association and certificate of incorporation under section 15 of the Companies Act.

(5) The court must fix a venue for the hearing of the application, and must give notice to the applicant for leave accordingly.

Application for leave under Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 – report of official receiver

5A.28.— (1) The applicant for leave must, not less than 28 days before the hearing date, give to the official receiver, notice of the venue, accompanied by copies of the application and the affidavit under Rule 5A.27.

(2) The official receiver may, not less than 14 days before the hearing date, file in court a report of any matters which he considers ought to be drawn to the court’s attention. A copy of the report must be sent by him, as soon as reasonably practicable after it is filed, to the applicant for leave.

(3) The applicant for leave may, not later than 5 business days before the hearing date, file in court a notice specifying any statements in the official receiver’s report which he intends to deny or dispute.

(4) If he gives notice under paragraph (3), he must send copies of it, not less than 4 business days before the hearing date, to the official receiver.

(5) The official receiver may appear on the hearing of the application, and may make representations and put to the applicant for leave such questions as the court may allow.

Application for leave under Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 – court’s order on application

5A.29.— (1) If the court grants the application for leave under Article 15 of the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, its order must specify that which by virtue of the order the applicant has leave to do.

(2) The court may at the same time, having regard to any representations made by the official receiver on the hearing of the application, exercise in relation to the moratorium period or the debt relief order to which the applicant for leave is subject, any power which it has under Article 208M.

(3) Whether or not the application is granted, copies of the order must be sent by the court to the applicant and the official receiver.

Death of debtor at a time when a moratorium period under a debt relief order applies in relation to him

5A.30.— (1) This Rule applies where a debtor dies at a time when a moratorium period under a debt relief order applies in relation to him

(2) The official receiver must, as soon as reasonable practicable after receiving notice of the death of the debtor—

(a) revoke the debt relief order;

(b) cause a note of the fact and the date of the death to be entered on the register of debt relief orders under Rule 6A.6; and

(c) send notice of the revocation—

(i) to any creditor specified in the debt relief order as a creditor to whom a qualifying debt is owed;

(ii) to the Enforcement of Judgments Office; and

(iii) to the personal representatives of the deceased debtor.

(3) In the notice of revocation, the official receiver must—

(a) identify the debtor;

(b) state the reason for the revocation; and

(c) specify the date on which the revocation took effect.

(4) In the notice of revocation sent to the Enforcement of Judgments Office, the debtor must be identified by stating—

(a) their name;

(b) the address at which they resided prior to their death; and

(c) the date and reference number of the debt relief order.”

(1)

S.I. 1991/2628 (N.I. 23)

(2)

S.I. 1990/2588 (N.I. 17)

(3)

2002 c. 29

(4)

S.I. 1987/2049 (N.I. 20)

(5)

S.I. 1998/1760 (N.I. 14)

(6)

S.I. 1990/1506 (N.I. 11)

(7)

S.R. 1991 No. 384

(8)

S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11)

(9)

S.I. 2002/3150 (N.I. 4)