OpenLegislation

Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 in Northern Ireland

2020 c. 12 · Enacted 25 June 2020 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 4 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 14 February 2022.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 7 para. 20-21omittedInsolvency (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 s. 101(3)(b)
s. 9(6)omittedInsolvency (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 Sch. 3 para. 14(4)(b)
s. 18(2)omittedInsolvency (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 Sch. 3 para. 14(4)(b)
Sch. 7 para. 3omittedInsolvency (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 Sch. 3 para. 14(4)(b)

An Act to make provision about companies and other entities in financial difficulty; and to make temporary changes to the law relating to the governance and regulation of companies and other entities.

[25th June 2020]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Moratorium
  2. 1Moratoriums in Great Britain
  3. 2Moratoriums in Great Britain: further amendments and transition
  4. 4Moratoriums in Northern Ireland
  5. 5Moratoriums in Northern Ireland: further amendments and transition
  6. 6Moratoriums in Northern Ireland: temporary modifications
  7. Arrangements and reconstructions for companies in financial difficulty
  8. 7Arrangements and reconstructions for companies in financial difficulty
  9. Administration: sales to connected persons
  10. 8Administration in Great Britain: sales to connected persons
  11. 9Administration in Northern Ireland: sales to connected persons
  12. Winding-up petitions
  13. 11Winding-up petitions: Northern Ireland
  14. Wrongful trading
  15. 13Suspension of liability for wrongful trading: Northern Ireland
  16. Termination clauses in supply contracts
  17. 14Protection of supplies of goods and services: Great Britain
  18. 16Protection of supplies of electricity, gas, water, etc: Northern Ireland
  19. 17Further protection of essential supplies: Northern Ireland
  20. 18Protection of supplies of goods and services: Northern Ireland
  21. 19Temporary exclusion for small suppliers: Northern Ireland
  22. Power to amend corporate insolvency or governance legislation: Great Britain
  23. 25Consequential provision etc
  24. 26Procedure for regulations
  25. 27Interpretation
  26. Power to amend corporate insolvency or governance legislation: Northern Ireland
  27. 28Regulations to amend legislation: Northern Ireland
  28. 29Purposes
  29. 30Restrictions
  30. 31Time-limited effect
  31. 32Expiry
  32. 33Consequential provision etc
  33. 34Procedure for regulations made by the Department
  34. 35Procedure for regulations made by the Secretary of State
  35. 36Interpretation
  36. Meetings and filings
  37. 37Meetings of companies and other bodies
  38. 38Temporary extension of period for public company to file accounts
  39. 39Temporary power to extend periods for providing information to registrar
  40. 40Section 39: the listed provisions
  41. Powers to change periods
  42. 42Power to change duration of temporary provisions: Northern Ireland
  43. Implementation of insolvency measures
  44. 43Modified procedure for regulations of the Secretary of State
  45. 46Modified procedure for regulations of Northern Ireland departments
  46. General
  47. 47Power to make consequential provision
  48. 48Extent
  49. 49Commencement
  50. 50Short title
  51. Schedule 1: Moratoriums in Great Britain: eligible companies
  52. Paragraph
  53. Schedule 2: Moratoriums in Great Britain: contracts involving financial services
  54. Paragraph
  55. Schedule 3: Moratoriums in Great Britain: further amendments
  56. Insolvency Act 1986
  57. 1Paragraph 1
  58. 2Paragraph 2
  59. 3Paragraph 3
  60. 4Paragraph 4
  61. 5Paragraph 5
  62. 6Paragraph 6
  63. 7Paragraph 7
  64. 8Paragraph 8
  65. 9Paragraph 9
  66. 10Paragraph 10
  67. 11Paragraph 11
  68. 12Paragraph 12
  69. 13Paragraph 13
  70. 14Paragraph 14
  71. 15Paragraph 15
  72. 16Paragraph 16
  73. 17Paragraph 17
  74. 18Paragraph 18
  75. 19Paragraph 19
  76. 20Paragraph 20
  77. 21Paragraph 21
  78. 22Paragraph 22
  79. 23Paragraph 23
  80. 24Paragraph 24
  81. 25Paragraph 25
  82. 26Paragraph 26
  83. 27Paragraph 27
  84. 28Paragraph 28
  85. 29Paragraph 29
  86. 30Paragraph 30
  87. 31Paragraph 31
  88. 32Paragraph 32
  89. 33Paragraph 33
  90. Building Societies Act 1986
  91. 34Paragraph 34
  92. The Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality) Regulations 1999
  93. 35Paragraph 35
  94. Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000
  95. 36Paragraph 36
  96. 37Paragraph 37
  97. The Limited Liability Partnerships Regulations 2001
  98. 38Paragraph 38
  99. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) Regulations 2001
  100. 39Paragraph 39
  101. The Financial Collateral Arrangements (No.2) Regulations 2003
  102. 40Paragraph 40
  103. The Insolvency Practitioners Regulations 2005
  104. 41Paragraph 41
  105. Banking Act 2009
  106. 42Paragraph 42
  107. Charities Act 2011
  108. 43Paragraph 43
  109. 44Paragraph 44
  110. 45Paragraph 45
  111. The Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011
  112. 46Paragraph 46
  113. 47Paragraph 47
  114. 48Paragraph 48
  115. The Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Insolvency and Dissolution) Regulations 2012
  116. 49Paragraph 49
  117. Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014
  118. 50Paragraph 50
  119. 51Paragraph 51
  120. 52Paragraph 52
  121. 53Paragraph 53
  122. The Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions (Arrangements, Reconstructions and Administration) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/229)
  123. 54Paragraph 54 Repealed
  124. The International Interests in Aircraft Equipment (Cape Town Convention) Regulations 2015
  125. 55Paragraph 55
  126. Schedule 4: Moratoriums in Great Britain: temporary provision
  127. “Relevant period”
  128. Power to turn off particular provisions of Part 2 of this Schedule early
  129. 2Paragraph 2
  130. Power to turn off provisions of Parts 3 and 4 of this Schedule early etc
  131. 3Paragraph 3
  132. 4Paragraph 4
  133. “Eligible” company: additional exclusion
  134. Relaxation of conditions for obtaining moratorium etc
  135. Relaxation of conditions for extending moratorium obtained during relevant period
  136. Monitoring of moratorium obtained during relevant period
  137. Termination of moratorium obtained during relevant period
  138. “Coronavirus”
  139. Introductory
  140. 12Paragraph 12
  141. Definition of “the court”
  142. 13Paragraph 13
  143. Content of documents relating to the obtaining or extending of a moratorium: general
  144. 14Paragraph 14
  145. Authentication of documents relating to obtaining or extending moratorium: general
  146. 15Paragraph 15
  147. Notice that directors wish to obtain a moratorium
  148. 16Paragraph 16
  149. Proposed monitor's statement and consent to act
  150. 17Paragraph 17
  151. Timing of statements for obtaining moratorium
  152. 18Paragraph 18
  153. Notice by monitor where moratorium comes into force
  154. 19Paragraph 19
  155. Notice that directors wish to extend a moratorium
  156. 20Paragraph 20
  157. Extension under section A10 or A11 of the Insolvency Act 1986: notices and statements
  158. 21Paragraph 21
  159. Timing of statements for extension under section A10 or A11
  160. 22Paragraph 22
  161. Obtaining creditor consent: qualifying decision procedure
  162. 23Paragraph 23
  163. 24Paragraph 24
  164. 25Paragraph 25
  165. 26Paragraph 26
  166. 27Paragraph 27
  167. 28Paragraph 28
  168. Content of application to the court for extension of moratorium
  169. 29Paragraph 29
  170. Timing of statements accompanying application to court for extension of moratorium
  171. 30Paragraph 30
  172. Notices about change in end of moratorium
  173. 31Paragraph 31
  174. 32Paragraph 32
  175. 33Paragraph 33
  176. 34Paragraph 34
  177. Notification by directors of insolvency proceedings etc
  178. 35Paragraph 35
  179. Notice of termination of moratorium
  180. 36Paragraph 36
  181. Termination of moratorium under section A38(1)(d) of the Insolvency Act 1986
  182. 37Paragraph 37
  183. Replacement of monitor or additional monitor: statement and consent to act
  184. 38Paragraph 38
  185. Replacement of monitor or additional monitor: notification
  186. 39Paragraph 39
  187. Challenge to monitor's remuneration
  188. 40Paragraph 40
  189. Challenge to directors' actions: qualifying decision procedure
  190. 41Paragraph 41
  191. Priority of moratorium debts etc in subsequent winding up
  192. 42Paragraph 42
  193. Priority of moratorium debts etc in subsequent administration
  194. 43Paragraph 43
  195. Prescribed format of documents
  196. 44Paragraph 44
  197. 45Paragraph 45
  198. Delivery of documents
  199. 46Paragraph 46
  200. Applications to court
  201. 47Paragraph 47
  202. Identification details for a company
  203. 48Paragraph 48
  204. Contact details of a monitor or other office-holder
  205. 49Paragraph 49
  206. “The England and Wales Insolvency Rules”
  207. 50Paragraph 50
  208. Interpretation: general
  209. 51Paragraph 51
  210. Introductory
  211. 52Paragraph 52
  212. Definition of “the court”
  213. 53Paragraph 53
  214. Content of documents relating to the obtaining or extending of a moratorium: general
  215. 54Paragraph 54
  216. Authentication of documents relating to obtaining or extending moratorium: general
  217. 55Paragraph 55
  218. Notice that directors wish to obtain a moratorium
  219. 56Paragraph 56
  220. Proposed monitor's statement and consent to act
  221. 57Paragraph 57
  222. Timing of statements for obtaining moratorium
  223. 58Paragraph 58
  224. Notice by monitor where moratorium comes into force
  225. 59Paragraph 59
  226. Notice that directors wish to extend a moratorium
  227. 60Paragraph 60
  228. Extension under section A10 or A11 of the Insolvency Act 1986: notices and statements
  229. 61Paragraph 61
  230. Timing of statements for extension under section A10 or A11
  231. 62Paragraph 62
  232. Obtaining creditor consent: qualifying decision procedure
  233. 63Paragraph 63
  234. 64Paragraph 64
  235. 65Paragraph 65
  236. 66Paragraph 66
  237. 67Paragraph 67
  238. 68Paragraph 68
  239. Content of application to the court for extension of moratorium
  240. 69Paragraph 69
  241. Timing of statements accompanying application to court for extension of moratorium
  242. 70Paragraph 70
  243. Notices about change in end of moratorium
  244. 71Paragraph 71
  245. 72Paragraph 72
  246. 73Paragraph 73
  247. 74Paragraph 74
  248. Notification by directors of insolvency proceedings etc
  249. 75Paragraph 75
  250. Notice of termination of moratorium
  251. 76Paragraph 76
  252. Termination of moratorium under section A38(1)(d) of the Insolvency Act 1986
  253. 77Paragraph 77
  254. Replacement of monitor or additional monitor: statement and consent to act
  255. 78Paragraph 78
  256. Replacement of monitor or additional monitor: notification
  257. 79Paragraph 79
  258. Challenge to monitor's remuneration
  259. 80Paragraph 80
  260. Challenge to directors' actions: qualifying decision procedure
  261. 81Paragraph 81
  262. Priority of moratorium debts etc in subsequent winding up
  263. 82Paragraph 82
  264. Priority of moratorium debts etc in subsequent administration
  265. 83Paragraph 83
  266. Prescribed format of documents
  267. 84Paragraph 84
  268. 85Paragraph 85
  269. Delivery of documents
  270. 86Paragraph 86
  271. Identification details for a company
  272. 87Paragraph 87
  273. Contact details of a monitor or other office-holder
  274. 88Paragraph 88
  275. “The Scottish Insolvency Rules”
  276. 89Paragraph 89
  277. Interpretation: general
  278. 90Paragraph 90
  279. Part 5: Entities other than companies
  280. 91Paragraph 91
  281. 92Paragraph 92
  282. Schedule 5: Moratoriums in Northern Ireland: eligible companies
  283. Paragraph
  284. Schedule 6: Moratoriums in Northern Ireland: contracts involving financial services
  285. Paragraph
  286. Schedule 7: Moratoriums in Northern Ireland: further amendments
  287. The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
  288. 1Paragraph 1
  289. 2Paragraph 2
  290. 3Paragraph 3
  291. 4Paragraph 4
  292. 5Paragraph 5
  293. 6Paragraph 6
  294. 7Paragraph 7
  295. 8Paragraph 8
  296. 9Paragraph 9
  297. 10Paragraph 10
  298. 11Paragraph 11
  299. 12Paragraph 12
  300. 13Paragraph 13
  301. 14Paragraph 14
  302. 15Paragraph 15
  303. 16Paragraph 16
  304. 17Paragraph 17
  305. 18Paragraph 18
  306. 19Paragraph 19
  307. 20Paragraph 20
  308. 21Paragraph 21
  309. 22Paragraph 22
  310. 23Paragraph 23
  311. 24Paragraph 24
  312. 25Paragraph 25
  313. 26Paragraph 26
  314. 27Paragraph 27
  315. 28Paragraph 28 Not yet in force
  316. 29Paragraph 29
  317. Building Societies Act 1986
  318. 30Paragraph 30
  319. Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000
  320. 31Paragraph 31
  321. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) Regulations 2001
  322. 32Paragraph 32
  323. The Insolvency Practitioners Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006
  324. 33Paragraph 33
  325. Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3152 (N.I. 6))
  326. 34Paragraph 34
  327. Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10))
  328. 35Paragraph 35
  329. 36Paragraph 36
  330. 37Paragraph 37
  331. 38Paragraph 38
  332. Insolvency (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016
  333. 39Paragraph 39
  334. Schedule 8: Moratoriums in Northern Ireland: temporary provision
  335. Part 1: “Relevant period” and powers to turn off temporary provision
  336. “Relevant period”
  337. 1Paragraph 1
  338. Power to turn off particular provisions of Part 2 of this Schedule early
  339. 2Paragraph 2
  340. Power to turn off provisions of Part 3 of this Schedule early etc
  341. 3Paragraph 3
  342. 4Paragraph 4
  343. Part 2: Modifications to primary legislation
  344. “Eligible” company: additional exclusion
  345. 5Paragraph 5
  346. Relaxation of conditions for obtaining moratorium etc
  347. 6Paragraph 6
  348. 7Paragraph 7
  349. Relaxation of conditions for extending moratorium obtained during relevant period
  350. 8Paragraph 8
  351. Monitoring of moratorium obtained during relevant period
  352. 9Paragraph 9
  353. Termination of moratorium obtained during relevant period
  354. 10Paragraph 10
  355. “Coronavirus”
  356. 11Paragraph 11
  357. Part 3: Temporary rules
  358. Introductory
  359. 12Paragraph 12
  360. Content of documents relating to the obtaining or extending of a moratorium: general
  361. 13Paragraph 13
  362. Authentication of documents relating to obtaining or extending moratorium: general
  363. 14Paragraph 14
  364. Notice that directors wish to obtain a moratorium
  365. 15Paragraph 15
  366. Proposed monitor's statement and consent to act
  367. 16Paragraph 16
  368. Timing of statements for obtaining moratorium
  369. 17Paragraph 17
  370. Notice by monitor where moratorium comes into force
  371. 18Paragraph 18
  372. Notice that directors wish to extend a moratorium
  373. 19Paragraph 19
  374. Extension under Article 13CA or 13CB of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989: notices and statements
  375. 20Paragraph 20
  376. Timing of statements for extension under Article 13CA or 13CB
  377. 21Paragraph 21
  378. Obtaining creditor consent at meeting
  379. 22Paragraph 22
  380. 23Paragraph 23
  381. 24Paragraph 24
  382. 25Paragraph 25
  383. 26Paragraph 26
  384. 27Paragraph 27
  385. 28Paragraph 28
  386. 29Paragraph 29
  387. 30Paragraph 30
  388. Content of application to the High Court for extension of moratorium
  389. 31Paragraph 31
  390. Timing of statements accompanying application to High Court for extension of moratorium
  391. 32Paragraph 32
  392. Notices about change in end of moratorium
  393. 33Paragraph 33
  394. 34Paragraph 34
  395. 35Paragraph 35
  396. 36Paragraph 36
  397. Notification by directors of insolvency proceedings etc
  398. 37Paragraph 37
  399. Notice of termination of moratorium
  400. 38Paragraph 38
  401. Termination of moratorium under Article 13ED(1)(d) of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
  402. 39Paragraph 39
  403. Replacement of monitor or additional monitor: statement and consent to act
  404. 40Paragraph 40
  405. Replacement of monitor or additional monitor: notification
  406. 41Paragraph 41 Not yet in force
  407. Challenge to monitor's remuneration
  408. 42Paragraph 42
  409. Challenge to directors' actions: meeting
  410. 43Paragraph 43
  411. Priority of moratorium debts etc in subsequent winding up
  412. 44Paragraph 44
  413. Priority of moratorium debts etc in subsequent administration
  414. 45Paragraph 45
  415. Prescribed format of documents
  416. 46Paragraph 46
  417. 47Paragraph 47
  418. 48Paragraph 48
  419. Authentication of applications, notices and statements
  420. 49Paragraph 49 Not yet in force
  421. Modifications to the Insolvency Rules
  422. 50Paragraph 50
  423. Identification details for a company
  424. 51Paragraph 51
  425. Contact details of a monitor or other office-holder
  426. 52Paragraph 52
  427. “The Insolvency Rules”
  428. 53Paragraph 53
  429. Interpretation: general
  430. 54Paragraph 54
  431. Part 4: Entities other than companies
  432. 55Paragraph 55
  433. 56Paragraph 56
  434. Schedule 9: Arrangements and reconstructions for companies in financial difficulty
  435. Part 1: Main provisions
  436. 1Paragraph 1
  437. Part 2: Consequential amendments
  438. Finance Act 1986
  439. 2Paragraph 2
  440. 3Paragraph 3
  441. 4Paragraph 4
  442. Insolvency Act 1986
  443. 5Paragraph 5
  444. 6Paragraph 6
  445. 7Paragraph 7
  446. Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19))
  447. 8Paragraph 8
  448. 9Paragraph 9
  449. 10Paragraph 10
  450. Water Industry Act 1991
  451. 11Paragraph 11
  452. Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992
  453. 12Paragraph 12
  454. 13Paragraph 13
  455. 14Paragraph 14
  456. Value Added Tax Act 1994
  457. 15Paragraph 15
  458. Housing Act 1996
  459. 16Paragraph 16
  460. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
  461. 17Paragraph 17
  462. 18Paragraph 18
  463. 19Paragraph 19
  464. 20Paragraph 20
  465. Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000
  466. 21Paragraph 21
  467. Enterprise Act 2002
  468. 22Paragraph 22
  469. Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003
  470. 23Paragraph 23
  471. 24Paragraph 24
  472. 25Paragraph 25
  473. 26Paragraph 26
  474. Energy Act 2004
  475. 27Paragraph 27
  476. Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005
  477. 28Paragraph 28
  478. Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10))
  479. 29Paragraph 29
  480. Companies Act 2006
  481. 30Paragraph 30
  482. 31Paragraph 31
  483. 32Paragraph 32
  484. 33Paragraph 33
  485. 34Paragraph 34
  486. 35Paragraph 35
  487. 36Paragraph 36
  488. 37Paragraph 37
  489. 38Paragraph 38
  490. 39Paragraph 39
  491. Housing and Regeneration Act 2008
  492. 40Paragraph 40
  493. Corporation Tax Act 2009
  494. 41Paragraph 41
  495. Corporation Tax Act 2010
  496. 42Paragraph 42
  497. 43Paragraph 43
  498. 44Paragraph 44
  499. Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010
  500. 45Paragraph 45
  501. Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 17)
  502. 46Paragraph 46
  503. 47Paragraph 47
  504. 48Paragraph 48
  505. Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013
  506. 49Paragraph 49
  507. Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014
  508. 50Paragraph 50
  509. Mutuals' Deferred Shares Act 2015
  510. 51Paragraph 51
  511. Restriction on winding-up petitions
  512. 1Paragraph 1
  513. Modification of Insolvency Rules and Rules of Court
  514. 2Paragraph 2
  515. 3Paragraph 3
  516. Interpretation
  517. 4Paragraph 4
  518. General
  519. 5Paragraph 5
  520. Schedule 11: RESTRICTION ON WINDING-UP PETITIONS: NORTHERN IRELAND
  521. Restriction on winding-up petitions
  522. 1Paragraph 1
  523. Modification of Insolvency Rules
  524. 2Paragraph 2
  525. Interpretation
  526. 3Paragraph 3
  527. General
  528. 4Paragraph 4
  529. Schedule 12: Protection of supplies of goods and services: Great Britain
  530. Part 1: Exclusions
  531. 1Paragraph 1
  532. Part 2: Consequential amendments
  533. Amendments to Acts
  534. 2Paragraph 2
  535. 3Paragraph 3
  536. 4Paragraph 4
  537. Amendments to subordinate legislation
  538. 5Paragraph 5
  539. 6Paragraph 6
  540. 7Paragraph 7
  541. 8Paragraph 8
  542. Schedule 13: Protection of supplies of goods and services: Northern Ireland
  543. Part 1: Exclusions
  544. 1Paragraph 1
  545. Part 2: Consequential amendments
  546. Amendments to Acts
  547. 2Paragraph 2
  548. 3Paragraph 3
  549. 4Paragraph 4
  550. Amendment to subordinate legislation
  551. 5Paragraph 5
  552. Schedule 14: Meetings of companies and other bodies
  553. Meaning of “qualifying body”
  554. 1Paragraph 1
  555. Meaning of “relevant period”
  556. 2Paragraph 2
  557. Meetings of qualifying bodies held during the relevant period
  558. 3Paragraph 3
  559. Meetings of qualifying bodies held during the relevant period: power to make further provision
  560. 4Paragraph 4
  561. Extension of period for qualifying body to hold annual general meeting
  562. 5Paragraph 5
  563. Power to extend period for qualifying body to hold annual general meeting
  564. 6Paragraph 6
  565. Regulations made by the Secretary of State or the Treasury
  566. 7Paragraph 7
  567. Regulations made by the Scottish Ministers
  568. 8Paragraph 8
  569. Regulations made by the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland
  570. 9Paragraph 9
  571. Other interpretation
  572. 10Paragraph 10