The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Power to make appointments

265.—(1) The power to appoint a person as trustee of a bankrupt’s estate (whether the first such trustee or a trustee appointed to fill any vacancy) is exercisable—

(a) except at a time when a certificate for the summary administration of the bankrupt’s estate is in force, by a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors;

(b) under Articles 268(2), 269(2) or 273(6) by the Department; or

(c) under Article 270, by the High Court.

(2) No person may be appointed as trustee of a bankrupt’s estate unless he is, at the time of the appointment, qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the bankrupt.

(3) Any power to appoint a person as trustee of a bankrupt’s estate includes power to appoint 2 or more persons as joint trustees; but such an appointment must make provision as to the circumstances in which the trustees must act together and the circumstances in which one or more of them may act for the others.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the appointment of any person as trustee takes effect at the time specified in his certificate of appointment.

(5) The appointment of any person as trustee takes effect only if that person accepts the appointment in accordance with the rules.

(6) This Article is without prejudice to the provisions of this Chapter under which the official receiver is, in certain circumstances, to be trustee of the estate.