The Insolvency Practitioners Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Requirements relating to education and training etc.—applicants previously authorised to act as insolvency practitioners

8.—(1) The requirements prescribed for the purposes of Article 352(2)(b) of the Order in relation to an applicant who has at any time been authorised to act as an insolvency practitioner (whether by virtue of membership of a body recognised under Article 350 of the Order or an authorisation granted by a competent authority under Article 352 of the Order) shall be as set out in this regulation.

(2) The applicant shall—

(a) satisfy the requirements set out in regulation 7(3) to (5) or have acquired within the period of three years preceding the date of the making of his application 500 hours of any combination of the following types of experience—

(i) experience as an office-holder;

(ii) higher insolvency work experience;

(iii) regulatory work experience; or

(iv) advisory work experience; and

(b) subject to paragraph (4), have completed at least l08 hours of continuing professional development in the period of three years ending on the day before the date of the making of his application of which—

(i) a minimum of 12 hours shall have been completed in each of those years; and

(ii) 54 hours shall fall into the categories in paragraphs (3)(b)(i) to (v).

(3) “Continuing professional development” means any activities which—

(a) relate to insolvency law or practice or the management of the practice of an insolvency practitioner; and

(b) fall into any of the following categories—

(i) the production of written material for publication;

(ii) attendance at courses, seminars or conferences;

(iii) the viewing of any recording of a course, seminar or conference;

(iv) the giving of lectures or the presentation of papers at courses, seminars or conferences;

(v) the completion of on-line tests; and

(vi) the reading of books or periodical publications (including any on-line publication).

(4) The requirement in paragraph (2)(b) shall only apply in relation to any application made on or after the third anniversary of the commencement date.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b)(i), “publication” includes making material available to a body recognised in pursuance of Article 350 of the Order or any association or body representing the interests of those who act as insolvency practitioners.