The Companies (Unfair Prejudice Applications) Proceedings Rules 2009
S.I. 2009/2469 · Made 8 September 2009
Insolvency
Companies
Made 8th September 2009
Laid before Parliament 9th September 2009
Coming into force 1st October 2009
The Lord Chancellor has consulted the Committee existing for the purposes of section 413 of the Insolvency Act 1986f1.
The Lord Chancellor, in the exercise of his powers under section 411 of the Insolvency Act 1986f2, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, and of the Chancellor of the High Court (by the authority of the Lord Chief Justice under section 411(7) of the Insolvency Act 1986) in relation to those rules that affect court procedure, makes the following Rules.
Annotations to the whole text
Footnotes
- f1
-
1986 c.45. Sections 411 and 413 were amended by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c.4), section 15 and Schedule 4, paragraphs 185, 188 and 190.
- f2
-
Section 997 of the Companies Act 2006 applies section 411 of the Insolvency Act 1986 for the purposes of a petition under Part 30 of the former Act.
Contents
- 1Citation, commencement, interpretation and revocation
- 2Preliminary
- 3Presentation of petition
- 4Service of petition
- 5Return of petition
- 6Advertisement of the order
- 7Transitional provision
- Signature
- Schedule Schedule
- Explanatory note
1Citation, commencement, interpretation and revocation
These Rules may be cited as the Companies (Unfair Prejudice Applications) Proceedings Rules 2009 and come into force on 1st October 2009.
In these Rules “the Act” means the Companies Act 2006.
The Companies (Unfair Prejudice Applications) Proceedings Rules 1986f1 (“the 1986 Rules”) are hereby revoked.
2Preliminary
These Rules apply in relation to petitions presented to the court under Part 30 of the Act (protection of company’s members against unfair prejudice) by a member of a company under section 994(1), by a person treated as a member under section 994(2) or by the Secretary of State under section 995.
Except so far as inconsistent with the Act and these Rules, the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 f1 apply to proceedings under Part 30 of the Act with any necessary modifications.
3Presentation of petition
The petition shall be in the form set out in the Schedule to these Rules, with such variations, if any, as the circumstances may require.
The petition shall specify the grounds on which it is presented and the nature of the relief which is sought by the petitioner, and shall be delivered to the court for filing with sufficient copies for service under Rule 4.
The court shall fix a hearing for a day (“the return day”) on which, unless the court otherwise directs, the petitioner and any respondent (including the company) shall attend before the registrar or District Judge for directions to be given in relation to the procedure on the petition.
On fixing the return day, the court shall return to the petitioner sealed copies of the petition for service, each endorsed with the return day and the time of hearing.
4Service of petition
The petitioner shall, at least 14 days before the return day, serve a sealed copy of the petition on the company.
In the case of a petition based upon section 994 of the Act, the petitioner shall also, at least 14 days before the return day, serve a sealed copy of the petition on every respondent named in the petition.
5Return of petition
On the return day, or at any time after it, the court shall give such directions as it thinks appropriate with respect to the following matters—
service of the petition on any person, whether in connection with the time, date and place of a further hearing, or for any other purpose;
whether points of claim and defence are to be delivered;
whether, and if so by what means, the petition is to be advertised;
the manner in which any evidence is to be adduced at any hearing before the judge and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the above) as to—
the taking of evidence wholly or in part by witness statement or orally;
the cross-examination of any persons making a witness statement;
the matters to be dealt with in evidence;
any other matter affecting the procedure on the petition or in connection with the hearing and disposal of the petition; and
such orders, if any, including a stay for any period, as the court thinks fit, with a view to mediation or other alternative dispute resolution.
6Advertisement of the order
If the court considers that the order should be advertised, it shall give directions as to the manner and time of advertisement.
7Transitional provision
These Rules shall not apply, and the provisions of the 1986 Rules shall continue to apply, to any petition presented to the court under Part XVII of the Companies Act 1985f1 before 1st October 2009.
Signature
Signed by the authority of the Lord Chancellor
Bach
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Ministry of Justice
3rd September 2009
I concur
The Rt Hon Sir Andrew Morritt
The Chancellor of the High Court
7th September 2009
I concur, on behalf of the Secretary of State
Davies of Abersoch
Minister for Trade, Investment and Business
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
8th September 2009
Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules make provision for the form, procedure for presentation, service and return of the petition to be used in connection with an application to court in England and Wales under section 994 or 995 of the Companies Act 2006 (c.46) (application for order on grounds of unfair prejudice). They revoke the Companies (Unfair Prejudice Applications) Proceedings Rules 1986 (S.I. 1986/2000), subject to a transitional provision for petitions commenced before 1st October 2009.
The form of petition is set out in the Schedule.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.