The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

“Relevant time” under Articles 312, 313

314.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Article, the time at which an individual enters into a transaction at an undervalue or gives a preference is a relevant time if the transaction is entered into or the preference given—

(a) in the case of a transaction at an undervalue, at a time within the 5 years immediately preceding the day of the presentation of the bankruptcy petition on which the individual is adjudged bankrupt,

(b) in the case of a preference which is not a transaction at an undervalue and is given to a person who is an associate of the individual (otherwise than by reason only of being his employee), at a time within the 2 years immediately preceding that day, and

(c) in any other case of a preference which is not a transaction at an undervalue, at a time within the 6 months immediately preceding that day.

(2) Where an individual enters into a transaction at an undervalue or gives a preference at a time mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph (1) (not being, in the case of a transaction at an undervalue, a time less than 2 years before the expiration of the period of 5 years mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)), that time is not a relevant time for the purposes of Articles 312 and 313 unless the individual—

(a) is insolvent at that time, or

(b) becomes insolvent in consequence of the transaction or preference;

but the requirements of this paragraph are presumed to be satisfied, unless the contrary is shown, in relation to any transaction at an undervalue which is entered into by an individual with a person who is an associate of his (otherwise than by reason only of being his employee).

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), an individual is insolvent if—

(a) he is unable to pay his debts as they fall due, or

(b) the value of his assets is less than the amount of his liabilities, taking into account his contingent and prospective liabilities.