The Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and shall come into operation on 12 April 2007.

Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations “the UNCITRAL Model Law” means the Model Law on cross-border insolvency as adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on 30^th May 1997.

UNCITRAL Model Law to have force of law

3.—(1) The UNCITRAL Model Law shall have the force of law in Northern Ireland in the form set out in Schedule 1 (which contains the UNCITRAL Model Law with certain modifications to adapt it for application in Northern Ireland).

(2) Without prejudice to any practice of the courts as to the matters which may be considered apart from this paragraph, the following documents may be considered in ascertaining the meaning or effect of any provision of the UNCITRAL Model Law as set out in Schedule 1—

(a) the UNCITRAL Model Law;

(b) any documents of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and its working group relating to the preparation of the UNCITRAL Model Law; and

(c) the Guide to Enactment of the UNCITRAL Model Law (UNCITRAL document A/CN.9/442)(1) prepared at the request of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law made in May 1997.

Modification of Northern Ireland insolvency law

4.—(1) Northern Ireland insolvency law (as defined in article 2 of the UNCITRAL Model Law as set out in Schedule 1) and Part 4 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989(2) shall apply with such modifications as the context requires for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of these Regulations.

(2) In the case of any conflict between any provision of Northern Ireland insolvency law or of Part 4 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 and the provisions of these Regulations, the latter shall prevail.

Procedural matters

5.  Schedule 2 (which makes provision about procedural matters in connection with the application of the UNCITRAL Model Law as set out in Schedule 1) shall have effect.

Notices delivered to the registrar of companies

6.  Schedule 3 (which makes provision about notices delivered to the registrar of companies under these Regulations) shall have effect.

Disapplication of Article 3 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

7.  Nothing in Article 3 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989(3) applies to anything done by a foreign representative—

(a) under or by virtue of these Regulations;

(b) in relation to relief granted or cooperation or coordination provided under these Regulations.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on 23 February 2007

Michael J Bohill

A senior officer of the

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

I agree to the making of these Regulations

Signed by the authority of the Lord Chancellor

Bridget Prentice

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs

Dated 27 February 2007