Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 (repealed)

Section 56.

SCHEDULE 4 U.K. Discharge on Composition

1 (1) At any time after the sheriff clerk issues the act and warrant to the permanent trustee, an offer of composition may be made by or on behalf of the debtor, in respect of his debts, to the F1 . . . trustee. S

(2) Any offer of composition shall specify caution or other security to be provided for its implementation.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in Sch. 4 para. 1 repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 226, 227(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

2 S The F2 . . . trustee [F3 , where he is not the Accountant in Bankruptcy,] shall submit the offer of composition along with a report thereon to the commissioners or, if there are no commissioners, to the Accountant in Bankruptcy.

Textual Amendments

F2 Word in Sch. 4 para. 2 repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 226, 227(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

F3 Words in Sch. 4 para. 2 inserted (1.4.1993, subject to savings in arts. 4, 5 of S.I. 1993/438) by 1993 c. 6, s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 31(2) (with s. 12(6)); S.I. 1993/438, art.3

3 S The commissioners or, if there are no commissioners, the Accountant in Bankruptcy—

(a) if they consider (or he considers) that the offer of composition will be timeously implemented and that, if the rules set out in section 51 of, and Schedule 1 to, this Act were applicable, its implementation would secure payment of a dividend of at least 25p in the £ in respect of the ordinary debts; and

(b) if satisfied with the caution or other security specified in the offer,

shall recommend that the offer should be placed before the creditors.

4 S Where a recommendation is made that the offer of composition should be placed before the creditors, the F4 . . . trustee shall—

(a) intimate the recommendation to the debtor and record it in the sederunt book;

(b) publish in the Edinburgh Gazette a notice stating that an offer of composition has been made and where its terms may be inspected;

[F5 (c) not later than 1 week after the date of publication of such notice, send to every creditor known to him—

(i) a copy of the terms of offer; and

(ii) such other information as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Word in Sch. 4 para. 4 repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 226, 227(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

F5 Sch. 4 para. 4(c) substituted (1.4.2008 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) for Sch. 4 paras. 4(c)(d) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 21(3), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I 2008/115, {art. 3(4)}, Sch. 3 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

[F6 5 S The notice mentioned in paragraph 4(b) of this Schedule shall be in the prescribed form and shall contain such information as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Sch. 4 paras. 5-8B substituted for paras. 5-8 (1.4.2008 in relation to paras. 5 and 8A) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 21(4), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I 2008/115, {art. 3(4)}, Sch. 3 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

6 S Where the permanent trustee determines that the creditors have accepted the offer of composition, he shall submit to the sheriff—

(a) a statement that he has so determined;

(b) a copy of the report mentioned in paragraph 4(d) of this Schedule; and

(c) a declaration by the debtor as to the matters mentioned in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) of section 54(4)(b) of this Act.

7 (1) The sheriff shall, on the receipt by him of the documents mentioned in paragraph 6 of this Schedule, fix a date and time for a hearing to consider whether or not to approve the offer of composition. S

(2) The permanent trustee shall then send to every creditor known to him a notice in writing stating—

(a) that he has determined that the creditors have accepted the offer of composition;

(b) that a hearing has been fixed by the sheriff to consider whether or not to approve the offer;

(c) the place, date and time of the hearing; and

(d) that the recipient of the notice may make representations at the hearing as to whether or not the offer of composition should be approved.

8 (1) At the hearing the sheriff shall examine the documents and hear any representations and thereafter shall make an order— S

(a) if he is satisfied that a majority in number and not less than two-thirds in value of the creditors known to the permanent trustee have accepted the offer of composition and that the terms of the offer are reasonable, approving the offer; and

(b) if he is not so satisfied, refusing to approve the offer of composition.

(2) The sheriff may make an order approving the offer of composition, notwithstanding that there has been a failure to comply with any provision of this Schedule.

(3) The debtor or any creditor may within 14 days of the order being made appeal against an order approving or refusing to approve the offer of composition.

[F7 8A (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations amend paragraphs 4 to 8 of this Schedule by replacing them, varying them or adding to or deleting anything from them. U.K.

(2) Regulations made under sub-paragraph (1) above may contain such amendments of this Act as appear to the Scottish Ministers to be necessary in consequence of any amendment made by the regulations to the said paragraphs 4 to 8.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Sch. 4 paras. 5-8B substituted for paras. 5-8 (1.4.2008 in relation to paras. 5 and 8A) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 21(4), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I 2008/115, {art. 3(4)}, Sch. 3 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

9 (1) Where the offer of composition is approved, the F8 . . . trustee [F9 , where he is not the Accountant in Bankruptcy,] shall— S

(a) submit to the commissioners or, if there are no commissioners, to the Accountant in Bankruptcy, his accounts of his intromissions with the debtor’s estate for audit and a claim for the outlays reasonably incurred by him and for his remuneration; and where the said documents are submitted to the commissioners, he shall send a copy of them to the Accountant in Bankruptcy;

(b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that the interim trustee (where he is a different person) has submitted, or submits, to the Accountant in Bankruptcy his accounts and his claim for his outlays and remuneration.

[F10 (1A) Where the offer of composition is approved and the F8 . . . trustee is the Accountant in Bankruptcy, the F8 . . . trustee shall prepare accounts of his intromissions with the debtor’s estate and he shall make a determination of his fees and outlays calculated in accordance with regulations made under section 69A of this Act.]

(2) Subsections (3), (4), (6) and (10) of section 53 of this Act shall apply, subject to any necessary modifications, in respect of the accounts and claim submitted under sub-paragraph (1)(a) above as they apply in respect of the accounts and claim submitted under section 53(1) of this Act.

[F10 (3) Subsections (2), (3), (4), (5) and (10) of section 53 of this Act as adapted by paragraph 9(2) and (3) of Schedule 2 to this Act shall apply, subject to any necessary modifications, in respect of the accounts and determination prepared under sub-paragraph (1A) above as they apply in respect of the accounts and determination prepared under the said section 53 as so adapted.]

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in Sch. 4 para. 9(1)(1A) repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 226, 227(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

F9 Words in Sch. 4 para. 9(1) inserted (1.4.1993, subject to savings in arts. 4, 5 of S.I. 1993/438) by 1993 c. 6, s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 31(3)(a) (with s. 12(6)); S.I. 1993/438, art.3

F10 Sch. 4 para. 9(1A) inserted (1.4.1993, subject to savings in arts. 4, 5 of S.I. 1993/438) by 1993 c. 6, s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 31(3)(b) (with s. 12(6)); S.I. 1993/438, art.3

Sch. 4 para. 9(3) inserted (1.4.1993, subject to savings in arts. 4, 5 of S.I. 1993/438) by 1993 c. 6, s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 31(3)(c) (with s. 12(6)); S.I. 1993/438, art.3

10 S As soon as the procedure under paragraph 9 of this Schedule has been completed, there shall be lodged with the sheriff clerk—

(a) by the permanent trustee, a declaration that all necessary charges in connection with the sequestration have been paid or that satisfactory provision has been made in respect of the payment of such charges;

(b) by or on behalf of the debtor, the bond of caution or other security for payment of the composition.

11 [F11 (1) Where the documents have been sent to the Accountant in Bankruptcy under paragraph 10 of this Schedule and either— S

(a) the period mentioned in paragraph 8B(1) of this Schedule has expired; or

(b) the Accountant in Bankruptcy, in determining an appeal under said paragraph 8B(1), has approved the offer of composition,

the Accountant in Bankruptcy shall grant the certificates of discharge referred to in sub-paragraph (2) below.

(2) Those certificates are—

(a) a certificate discharging the debtor; and

(b) a certificate discharging the trustee.

(3) A certificate granted under sub-paragraph (1) above shall be in the prescribed form.

(4) The Accountant in Bankruptcy shall—

(a) send a certified copy of the certificate discharging the debtor to the keeper of the register of inhibitions for recording in that register; and

(b) send a copy of that certificate to the trustee who shall insert it in the sederunt book or, where the Accountant in Bankruptcy is the trustee, insert a copy of that certificate in the sederunt book.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Sch. 4 para. 11 substituted (1.4.2008 for specified purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 21(7), 227(3), (with s. 223); S.S.I 2008/115, {art. 3(4)}, Sch. 3 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

12 S An order under paragraph 11 of this Schedule discharging theF12 . . . trustee shall have the effect of discharging him from all liability (other than any liability arising from fraud) to the creditors or to the debtor in respect of any act or omission of the F12 . . . trustee in exercising the functions conferred on him by this Act.

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in Sch. 4 para. 12 repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 226, 227(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

13 S Notwithstanding that an offer of composition has been made, the sequestration shall proceed as if no such offer of composition has been made until the discharge of the debtor becomes effective; and the sequestration shall thereupon cease.

14 S A creditor who has not submitted a claim under section 48 of this Act before the sheriff makes an order approving an offer of composition shall not be entitled to make any demand against a person offering the composition on behalf of the debtor or against a cautioner in the offer; but this paragraph is without prejudice to any right of such a creditor to a dividend out of the debtor’s estate equal to the dividend which creditors of the same class are entitled to receive under the composition.

15 S A debtor may make two, but no more than two, offers of composition in the course of a sequestration.

16 [F13 (1)] On an order under paragraph 11 of this Schedule discharging the debtor becoming effective— U.K.

(a) the debtor shall be re-invested in his estate as existing at the date of the order;

(b) the debtor shall, subject to paragraph 14 of this Schedule, be discharged of all debts for which he was liable at the date of sequestration (other than any debts mentioned in section 55(2) of this Act); and

(c) the claims of creditors in the sequestration shall be converted into claims for their respective shares in the composition.

[F13 (2) The discharge of the debtor by virtue of an order under paragraph 11 above shall not affect any right of a secured creditor—

(a) for a debt in respect of which the debtor has been discharged to enforce his security for payment of the debt and any interest due and payable on the debt until the debt is paid in full; or

(b) for an obligation in respect of which the debtor has been discharged to enforce his security in respect of the obligation.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Sch. 4 para. 16 renumbered (as para. 16(1)) and para. 16(2) inserted (retrospectively) by 1993 c. 6, s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 31(4)(5)

17 (1) Without prejudice to any rule of law relating to the reduction of court decrees, the Court of Session, on the application of any creditor, may recall the order of the sheriff approving the offer of composition and discharging the debtor and the F14 . . . trustee where it is satisfied— S

(a) that there has been, or is likely to be, default in payment of the composition or of any instalment thereof; or

(b) that for any reason the composition cannot be proceeded with or cannot be proceeded with without undue delay or without injustice to the creditors.

(2) The effect of a decree of recall under this paragraph where the debtor has already been discharged shall be to revive the sequestration:

Provided that the revival of the sequestration shall not affect the validity of any transaction which has been entered into by the debtor since his discharge with a person who has given value and has acted in good faith.

(3) Where the F14 . . . trustee has been discharged, the Court may, on pronouncing a decree of recall under this paragraph, appoint a judicial factor to administer the debtor’s estate, and give the judicial factor such order as it thinks fit as to that administration.

(4) The clerk of court shall send a copy of a decree of recall under this paragraph to the F14 . . . trustee or judicial factor for insertion in the sederunt book.

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in Sch. 4 para. 17(1)(3)(4) repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 226, 227(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))

18 (1) Without prejudice to any rule of law relating to the reduction of court decrees, the Court of Session, on the application of any creditor, may reduce an order under paragraph 11 of this Schedule discharging a debtor where it is satisfied that a payment was made or a preference granted or that a payment or preference was promised for the purpose of facilitating the obtaining of the debtor’s discharge. S

(2) The Court may, whether or not it pronounces a decree of reduction under this paragraph, order a creditor who has received a payment or preference in connection with the debtor’s discharge to surrender the payment or the value of the preference to the debtor’s estate.

(3) Where the F15 . . . trustee has been discharged, the Court may, on pronouncing a decree of reduction under this paragraph, appoint a judicial factor to administer the debtor’s estate, and give the judicial factor such order as it thinks fit as to that administration.

(4) The clerk of court shall send a copy of a decree of reduction under this paragraph to the F15 . . . trustee or judicial factor for insertion in the sederunt book.

Textual Amendments

F15 Words in Sch. 4 para. 18(3)(4) repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 226, 227(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))