The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Prosecution of delinquent officers and members of company N.I.

182.—(1 )F1  If it appears to the High Court in the course of a winding up by the Court that any past or present officer, or any member, of the company has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally liable, the Court may (either on the application of a person interested in the winding up or of its own motion) direct the liquidator to refer the matter to[F2 the Department].

(2 )F1  If in the case of a winding up by the High Court it appears to the liquidator, not being the official receiver, that any past or present officer of the company, or any member of it, has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally liable, the liquidator shall report the matter to the official receiver.

(3 )F1  If it appears to the liquidator in the course of a voluntary winding up that any past or present officer of the company, or any member of it, has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally liable, he shall—

[F2 (a) forthwith report the matter to the Department, and

(b) furnish to the Department such information and give to it such access to and facilities for inspecting and taking copies of documents (being information or documents in the possession or under the control of the liquidator and relating to the matter in question) as the Department requires.]

[F2 (4) Where a report is made to the Department under paragraph (3), the Department may, for the purpose of investigating the matter reported to it and such other matters relating to the affairs of the company as appear to it to require investigation, exercise any of the powers which are exercisable by inspectors appointed under [F3 section 431 or 432 of the Companies Act 1985] to investigate a company's affairs.]

(5 )F1  If it appears to the High Court in the course of a voluntary winding up that—

(a) any past or present officer of the company, or any member of it, has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally liable, and

(b) no report with respect to the matter has been made by the liquidatorF4 . . . under paragraph (3),

the Court may (on the application of any person interested in the winding up or of its own motion) direct the liquidator to make such a report.

(6) On a report being made under paragraph (5), this Article has effect as though the report had been made in pursuance of paragraph (3).

F1 mod. by SR 2004/307

F2 2002 NI 6

F3 Words in art. 182(4) substituted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), arts. 2(1), 8, Sch. 1 para. 111(30) (with art. 10)

F4 2002 NI 6