29[F1Removal of trustee and trustee not acting]S
(1)The F2. . . trustee may be removed from office—
(a)by the creditors (other than any such person as is mentioned in section 24(3) of this Act) at a meeting called for the purpose if they also elect forthwith a new F2. . . trustee; or
(b)without prejudice to section [F31A(2)] of this Act, by order of the sheriff, on the application of—
(i)the Accountant in Bankruptcy;
(ii)the commissioners; or
(iii)a person representing not less than one quarter in value of the creditors,
if the sheriff is satisfied that cause has been shown on the basis of circumstances other than those to which subsection (9) below applies.
(2)The sheriff shall order any application under subsection (1)(b) above to be served on the F2. . . trustee and intimated in the Edinburgh Gazette, and before disposing of the application shall give the F2. . . trustee an opportunity of being heard.
(3)On an application under subsection (1)(b) above, the sheriff may, in ordering the removal of the F2. . . trustee from office, make such further order as he thinks fit or may, instead of removing the F2. . . trustee from office, make such other order as he thinks fit.
(4)The F2. . . trustee, the Accountant in Bankruptcy, the commissioners or any creditor may appeal against the decision of the sheriff on an application under subsection (1)(b) above within 14 days after the date of that decision.
(5)If the F2. . . trustee has been removed from office under subsection (1)(b) above or under section [F31A(2)] of this Act or following an appeal under subsection (4) above, the commissioners or, if there are no commissioners, the Accountant in Bankruptcy shall call a meeting of creditors, to be held not more than 28 days after such removal, for the election by them of a new F2. . . trustee.
(6)Without prejudice to section [F31A(2)] of this Act, where the sheriff is satisfied of any of the circumstances to which subsection (9) below applies he may, on the application of a commissioner, the debtor, a creditor or the Accountant in Bankruptcy, and after such intimation as the sheriff considers necessary—
(a)declare the office of F2. . . trustee to have become or to be vacant; and
(b)make any necessary order to enable the sequestration to proceed or to safeguard the estate pending the election of a new F2. . . trustee;
and thereafter the commissioners or, if there are no commissioners, the Accountant in Bankruptcy shall call a meeting of creditors, to be held not more than 28 days after such declaration, for the election by them of a new F2. . . trustee.
(7)The foregoing provisions of this Act relating to the election [F4of a replacement trustee and the appointment of that]F2. . . trustee shall, subject to any necessary modifications, apply in relation to the election and [F5appointment] of a new F2. . . trustee in pursuance of subsection (5) or (6) above.
(8)Subsections (5) to (7) of section 28 of this Act shall apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that section.
(9)The circumstances to which this subsection applies are that the F2. . . trustee—
(a)is unable to act (whether by, under or by virtue of a provision of this Act or from any other cause whatsoever other than death); or
(b)has so conducted himself that he should no longer continue to act in the sequestration.
[F6(10)This section does not apply in any case where the Accountant in Bankruptcy is the trustee.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 29 heading substituted (1.4.2008) by virtue of Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 36, 227(3), {Sch, 1 para. 29(4)} (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(i) (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))
F2Words in s. 29 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))
F3Words in s. 29(1)(b)(5)(6) substituted (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.18 (with s. 12(6)); S.I. 1993/438, art.3
F4Words in s. 29(7) substituted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 36, 227(3), Sch. 1 para. 29(2)(a) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(i) (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))
F5Word in s. 29(7) substituted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 36, 227(3), {Sch, 1 para. 29(2)(b)} (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(i) (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))
F6S. 29(10) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 36, 227(3), {Sch, 1 para. 29(3)} (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(i) (with arts. 4-6, 10 (as amended (with effect from 31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5))