Section 146 - Duration of moratorium
382.This section broadly replicates the effect of sections 43(1) to 43(6) of the 1996 Act.
383.Subsection (1) specifies that the moratorium begins when one of the steps specified in section 145 is taken.
384.Subsection (2) specifies that the moratorium ends 28 working days after the regulator has received notice under section 145(2) unless the moratorium is extended as provided for in subsection (3) of this section or cancelled as provided for in subsection (5) of this section. “Working day” is defined by section 275.
385.Subsection (3) allows the regulator to extend the moratorium for a specified period provided that the registered provider’s secured creditors, who the regulator is able to locate following reasonable enquiries, have consented to the extension. There is no limit to the number of extensions that may occur provided the secured creditors consent to those extensions.
386.Subsection (4) requires that, when the moratorium is extended, the regulator must notify the registered provider, and any liquidator, administrator, administrative receiver or receiver appointed in respect of the registered provider or its land, and the HCA.
387.Subsection (5) allows the regulator to cancel the moratorium if it is satisfied that it is unnecessary to make proposals under section 152.
388.Subsection (6) requires the regulator to consult the person who took the step specified in section 145 that triggered the moratorium before cancelling the moratorium as provided for in subsection (5).
389.Subsection (7) requires the regulator to give notice to the registered provider and those of its secured creditors the regulator is able to locate after making reasonable enquiries when the moratorium ends and to provide an explanation of the effects of section 147. The latter requirement does not apply where the regulator has cancelled the moratorium under subsection (5).
390.Subsection (8) sets out that the regulator must notify the HCA when a moratorium ends.
391.Subsection (9) specifies that any further steps taken during a moratorium do not have the effect of either starting a new moratorium or of altering the existing moratorium’s duration as defined in this section.