The Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016

Expenses of assisting bankrupt to prepare statement of affairs

10.59.—(1) If the bankrupt cannot personally prepare a proper statement of affairs, the official receiver may, at the expense of the bankrupt’s estate, employ a person or firm to assist in the preparation of the statement.

(2) At the request of the bankrupt, made on the grounds that the bankrupt cannot personally prepare a proper statement, the official receiver may authorise an allowance payable out of the bankrupt’s estate (in accordance with the prescribed order of priority) of all or part of the expenses to be incurred by the bankrupt in employing a person or firm to assist the bankrupt in preparing it.

(3) The bankrupt’s request must be accompanied by an estimate of the expenses involved, and the official receiver must only authorise the employment of a named person or named firm approved by the official receiver.

(4) The official receiver may make the authorisation subject to such conditions (if any) as the official receiver thinks fit relating to the manner in which any person may obtain access to relevant documents and other records.

(5) Nothing in this rule relieves the bankrupt from any obligation relating to the preparation, verification and submission of a statement of affairs, or to the provision of information to the official receiver or the trustee.