The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Removal of trustee; vacation of office

271.—(1) Subject to paragraph (4), the trustee of a bankrupt’s estate may be removed from office only by an order of the High Court or by a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors summoned specially for that purpose in accordance with the rules.

(2) A general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors shall not be held for the purpose of removing the trustee at any time when a certificate for the summary administration of the estate is in force.

(3) Where the official receiver is trustee by virtue of Article 266(3) or 268(4) or a trustee is appointed by the Department or (otherwise than under Article 270(4)) by the High Court, a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors shall be summoned for the purpose of replacing the trustee only if—

(a) the trustee thinks fit, or

(b) the High Court so directs, or

(c) the meeting is requested by one of the bankrupt’s creditors with the concurrence of not less than one-quarter, in value, of the creditors (including the creditor making the request).

(4) If the trustee was appointed by the Department, he may be removed by a direction of the Department.

(5) The trustee (not being the official receiver) shall vacate office if he ceases to be a person who is for the time being qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the bankrupt.

(6) The trustee may, in the prescribed circumstances, resign his office by giving notice of his resignation to the High Court.

(7) The trustee shall vacate office on giving notice to the High Court that a final meeting has been held under Article 304 and of the decision (if any) of that meeting.

(8) The trustee shall vacate office if the bankruptcy order is annulled.