Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973

Participation of Official Petitioner in proceedings brought by virtue of this Schedule (whether by the Official Petitioner or by a creditor)

17 (1) In the case of proceedings pursuant to a criminal bankruptcy petition or a criminal bankruptcy administration petition, the Official Petitioner shall be entitled—

(a) to attend any meeting of creditors and, before the meeting, to receive any notice or other document required to be sent before such a meeting to any creditor ;

(b) to be a member of any committee of inspection appointed under section 20 of the Act of 1914, but not so as to count towards the number of members mentioned in subsection (2) or (9), or to be subject to removal under subsection (7), of that section ;

(c) to be a party to any such proceedings before any court.

(2) In the case of proceedings pursuant to a criminal bankruptcy petition or a criminal bankruptcy administration petition, the provisions mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) below shall have effect as if any reference to a creditor, or to a creditor who has proved or tendered a proof, included a reference to the Official Petitioner.

(3) The provisions of the Act of 1914 referred to in sub-paragraph (2) above are sections 10 (appointment of special manager), 14(2) and (4) (debtor's statement of affairs), 15(4) and (8) (public examination of debtor), 16(5), (6) and (8) (compositions and schemes of arrangement), 26(7) (discharge of bankrupt), 37 (relation back of trustee's title), 74(1)(e) (report to creditors of debtor's proposal), 80 (appeal to court against act or decision of trustee), and 130(8) (effect of notice of creditor's petition under that section).

(4) Any functions of the Official Petitioner under or by virtue of this Act may be discharged on his behalf by any person acting with his authority.