National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990

5 (1) An order may provide for the establishment of an NHS trust with effect from a date earlier than the operational date of the trust and, during the period between that earlier date and the operational date, the trust shall have such limited functions for the purpose of enabling it to begin to operate satisfactorily with effect from the operational date as may be specified in the order.

(2) If an order makes the provision referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above, then, at any time during the period referred to in that sub-paragraph, the NHS trust shall be regarded as properly constituted (and may carry out its limited functions accordingly) notwithstanding that, at that time, all or any of the executive directors have not yet been appointed.

(3) If an order makes the provision referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above, the order may require a Regional, District or Special Health Authority to discharge such liabilities of the NHS trust as—

(a) may be incurred during the period referred to in that sub-paragraph; and

(b) are of a description specified in the order.