http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/2002/3150/article/6The Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-03-30Expert Participation2026-03-02 61The High Court may make a disqualification order against a person where it appears to it that he has been persistently in default in relation to relevant provisions of the companies legislation (see paragraph (3ZA)).2On an application to the High Court for an order to be made under this Article, the fact that a person has been persistently in default in relation to relevant provisions of the companies legislation may (without prejudice to its proof in any other manner) be conclusively proved by showing that in the 5 years ending with the date of the application he has been adjudged guilty (whether or not on the same occasion) of 3 or more defaults in relation to those provisions.3A person is to be treated under paragraph (2) as being adjudged guilty of a default in relation to any such provision if—ahe is convicted (whether on indictment or on summary conviction) of an offence consisting in a contravention of that provision (whether on his own part or on the part of any company), aaa financial penalty is imposed on the person by the registrar in respect of such an offence by virtue of regulations under—isection 1132A of the Companies Act 2006, oriisection 39 of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022, orba default order is made against him, that is to say an order under any of the following provisions—isection 452 of the Companies Act 2006 (order requiring delivery of company accounts),iisection 456 of the Companies Act 2006 (order requiring preparation of revised accounts),iiisection 1113 of the Companies Act 2006 (enforcement of company's filing obligations),ivArticle 51 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (enforcement of receiver's or manager's duty to make returns), orvArticle 144 of that Order (corresponding provision for liquidator in winding up),in respect of any such contravention of that provision (whether on his own part or on the part of any company).3ZAIn this Article “relevant provisions of the companies legislation” means—aany provision of the companies legislation requiring any return, account or other document to be filed with, delivered or sent, or notice of any matter to be given, to the registrar,bsections 167M and 167N of the Companies Act 2006 (prohibitions on acting as director where identity not verified or where there has been a failure to notify a directorship), andcsections 790LQ and 790LR of the Companies Act 2006 (persons with significant control: ongoing duties in relation to identity verification).3AIn this Article “the companies legislation” means—athe Companies Acts,bParts 1A to 7 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (company insolvency and winding up), andcPart 1 of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 (registration of overseas entities).3BIn this Article “company” includes overseas company.4The maximum period of disqualification under this Article is 5 years.Words in art. 6(3)(b)(i) substituted (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), arts. 2(2), 3(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 226(3)(a) (with arts. 6, 11, 12)Words in art. 6(3)(b)(ii) substituted (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), arts. 2(2), 3(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 226(3)(b) (with arts. 6, 11, 12)Art. 6(3)(b)(iii) substituted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 205(2)(a) (with art. 10)Words in art. 6(3)(b)(iv) substituted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 205(2)(b) (with art. 10)Words in art. 6(3)(b)(v) substituted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 205(2)(c) (with art. 10)Art. 6(3B) inserted (1.10.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), s. 164(1), Sch. 8 para. 9(6); S.I. 2015/1689, reg. 2(h)Art. 6(3A) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 18.11.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 32(2)(e), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(d)Art. 6(3ZA) inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 18.11.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 32(2)(d), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(d)Art. 6(3)(aa) inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 18.11.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 32(2)(c), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(d)Words in art. 6(1) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 18.11.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 32(2)(a), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(d)Words in art. 6(2) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 18.11.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 32(2)(b), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(d)