Railways Act 1993

Railway administration orders, winding up and insolvencyE+W+S

59 Meaning and effect of railway administration order.E+W+S

(1)A “railway administration order” is an order of the court made in accordance with section 60, 61 or 62 below in relation to a protected railway company and directing that, during the period for which the order is in force, the affairs, business and property of the company shall be managed, by a person appointed by the court,—

(a)for the achievement of the purposes of such an order; and

(b)in a manner which protects the respective interests of the members and creditors of the company.

(2)The purposes of a railway administration order made in relation to any company shall be—

(a)the transfer to another company, or (as respects different parts of its undertaking) to two or more different companies, as a going concern, of so much of the company’s undertaking as it is necessary to transfer in order to ensure that the relevant activities may be properly carried on; and

(b)the carrying on of those relevant activities pending the making of the transfer.

(3)Schedule 6 to this Act shall have effect for applying provisions of the M1Insolvency Act 1986 where a railway administration order is made.

(4)Schedule 7 to this Act shall have effect for enabling provision to be made with respect to cases in which, in pursuance of a railway administration order, another company is to carry on all or any of the relevant activities of a protected railway company in place of that company.

(5)Without prejudice to paragraph 20 of Schedule 6 to this Act, the power conferred by section 411 of the M2Insolvency Act 1986 to make rules shall apply for the purpose of giving effect to the railway administration order provisions of this Act as it applies for the purpose of giving effect to Parts I to VII of that Act, but taking any reference in that section to those Parts as a reference to those provisions.

(6)For the purposes of this Part—

[F1(za)“appropriate national authority”—

(i)in relation to a Scottish protected railway company or a company subject to a railway administration order that was such a company when the order was made, means the Scottish Ministers; F2...

[F3(ia)in relation to a Welsh protected railway company or a company subject to a railway administration order that was such a company when the order was made, means the Welsh Ministers; and]

(ii)in relation to any other protected railway company or company subject to a railway administration order, means the Secretary of State;]

(a)protected railway company” means a company which is both a private sector operator and the holder of—

(i)a passenger licence [F4or a [F5railway undertaking] licence which authorises the carriage of passengers by railway (or both)]; or

(ii)a network licence, a station licence or a light maintenance depot licence; F6. . .

(b)the “relevant activities”, in relation to a protected railway company, are—

(i)in the case of a company which is the holder of a [F4or a European licence which authorises the carriage of passengers by railway (or both)] passenger licence, the carriage of passengers by railway; or

(ii)in the case of a company which is the holder of a network licence, a station licence or a light maintenance depot licence, the management of a network, a station or a light maintenance depot, according to the description of licence in question.

[F7(c)Scottish protected railway company” means a protected railway company that is such a company only in respect of activities carried on by it as franchise operator in relation to a Scottish franchise agreement.]

[F8(d)“Welsh protected railway company” means a protected railway company that is such a company only in respect of activities carried on by it as franchise operator in relation to a Welsh franchise agreement the franchised services under which consist of Wales-only services.]

(7)In this section—

  • business” and “property” have the same meaning as they have in the M3Insolvency Act 1986;

  • [F9the court”, in relation to a protected railway company, means the court—

    (a)

    having jurisdiction to wind up the company, or

    (b)

    that would have such jurisdiction apart from section 221(2) or 441(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (exclusion of winding up jurisdiction in case of companies having principal place of business in, or incorporated in, Northern Ireland);]

  • the railway administration order provisions of this Act” means this section, sections 60 to 65 below and Schedules 6 and 7 to this Act.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 59(6)(za) inserted (16.10.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 49(1)(a), 60; S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F7S. 59(6)(c) inserted (16.10.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), s. 49(1)(b); S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 59(6) modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(1)

Marginal Citations

60 Railway administration orders made on special petitions.E+W+S

[F10(1)If, on an application relating to a protected railway company] the court is satisfied that either or both of the grounds specified in subsection (2) below is satisfied in relation to that protected railway company, the court may make a railway administration order in relation to that company.

(2)The grounds mentioned in subsection (1) above are, in relation to any company,—

(a)that the company is or is likely to be unable to pay its debts;

(b)that, in a case in which the Secretary of State has certified that it would be appropriate for him to petition for the winding up of the company under section 124A of the 1986 Act (petition by the Secretary of State following inspectors’ report etc), it would be just and equitable, as mentioned in that section, for the company to be wound up.

(3)Notice of any petition under this section for a railway administration order shall be given forthwith to such persons and in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made under section 411 of the 1986 Act; and no such petition shall be withdrawn except with the leave of the court.

(4)Subsections (4) and (5) of section 9 of the 1986 Act (powers on application for administration order) shall apply on the hearing of the petition for a railway administration order in relation to any company as they apply on the hearing of a petition for an administration order.

(5)Subsections (1), (2), (4) and (5) of section 10 of the 1986 Act (effect of petition) shall apply in the case of a petition for a railway administration order in relation to any company as if—

(a)the reference in subsection (1) to an administration order were a reference to a railway administration order;

(b)paragraph (b) of that subsection did require the leave of the court for the taking of any of the steps mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (2) (appointment of, and exercise of functions by, administrative receiver); and

(c)the reference in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) to proceedings included a reference to any proceedings under or for the purposes of section 55 [F11or 57A] above.

(6)For the purposes of this section a company is unable to pay its debts if—

(a)it is a company which is deemed to be so unable under section 123 of the 1986 Act (definition of inability to pay debts); or

(b)it is an unregistered company, within the meaning of Part V of the 1986 Act, which is deemed, by virtue of any of sections 222 to 224 of that Act, to be so unable for the purposes of section 221 of that Act (winding up of unregistered companies).

(7)In this section—

  • the 1986 Act” means the M4Insolvency Act 1986;

  • the court” has the same meaning as in section 59 above.

Textual Amendments

F10S. 60(1): words substituted "for the words from the beginning to the end of paragraph (b)" (16.10.2005) by virtue of Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 49(2), 60, Sch. 1; S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(2), Sch. 1

F11Words in s. 60(5)(c) inserted (1.2.2001) by 2000 c. 38, s. 252, Sch. 27 para. 34; S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 2 Pt. II)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 60 modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(3)

S. 60 restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(7)

Marginal Citations

61 Restriction on making winding-up order in respect of protected railway company.E+W+S

(1)Where a petition for the winding up of a protected railway company is presented by a person other than the Secretary of State, the court shall not make a winding-up order in relation to that company on that petition unless—

(a)notice of the petition has been served on—

(i)the [F12appropriate national authority] ; and

(ii)F13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)a period of at least fourteen days has elapsed since the service of that notice.

(2)Where a petition for the winding up of a protected railway company has been presented—

(a)the [F12appropriate national authority] , F14. . .

(b)F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

may, at any time before a winding-up order is made on the petition, make an application to the court for a railway administration order in relation to that company; and where such an application is made the court may, if it is satisfied as mentioned in section 60(1) above, make a railway administration order instead of a winding-up order.

(3)Where, on a petition for the winding up of a protected railway company, the court makes, or proposes to make, a railway administration order by virtue of subsection (2) above, subsections (4) and (5) of section 9 of the M5Insolvency Act 1986 (powers on application for administration order) shall apply on the hearing of that petition as they apply on the hearing of a petition for an administration order.

(4)In this section “the court” has the same meaning as in section 59 above.

Textual Amendments

F12Words in s. 61(1)(a)(i)(2)(a) substituted (16.10.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), s. 49(4)(a); S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F14S. 61(2)(b) and preceding word repealed (24.7.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 59, 60, Sch. 13 Pt. 1 (with s. 14(4)(5), Sch. 11 para. 11(2)); S.I. 2005/1909, art. 2, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 61 restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(7)

Marginal Citations

62 Restrictions on voluntary winding up and insolvency proceedings in the case of protected railway companies.E+W+S

(1)No resolution for voluntary winding up shall be passed by a protected railway company without leave of the court granted on an application made for the purpose by the company.

(2)No such leave shall be granted unless—

(a)notice of the application has been served on—

(i)the [F15appropriate national authority] ; and

(ii)F16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)a period of at least fourteen days has elapsed since the service of that notice.

(3)Where an application for leave under subsection (1) above has been made by a protected railway company—

(a)the [F15appropriate national authority] , F17. . .

(b)F17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

may, at any time before leave has been granted under subsection (1) above, make an application to the court for a railway administration order in relation to that company; and where such an application is made the court may, if it is satisfied as mentioned in section 60(1) above, make a railway administration order instead of granting leave under subsection (1) above.

(4)Where, on an application for leave under subsection (1) above, the court makes, or proposes to make, a railway administration order by virtue of subsection (3) above, subsections (4) and (5) of section 9 of the M6Insolvency Act 1986 (powers on application for administration order) shall apply on the hearing of that application as they apply on the hearing of a petition for an administration order.

(5)No administration order under Part II of the M7Insolvency Act 1986 shall be made in relation to a protected railway company unless—

(a)notice of the application for the order has been served on—

(i)the [F15appropriate national authority] ; and

(ii)F18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)a period of at least fourteen days has elapsed since the service of that notice.

(6)Where an application for an administration order under Part II of the M8Insolvency Act 1986 has been made in the case of a protected railway company—

(a)the [F15appropriate national authority] , F19. . .

(b)F19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

may, at any time before such an order has been made on that application, make an application to the court for a railway administration order in relation to that company; and where such an application is made the court may, if it is satisfied as mentioned in section 60(1) above, make a railway administration order instead of an administration order under Part II of the M9Insolvency Act 1986.

(7)No step shall be taken by any person to enforce any security over a protected railway company’s property, except where that person has served fourteen days’ notice of his intention to take that step on—

(a)the [F15appropriate national authority] ; F20. . .

(b)F20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8)In this section—

  • the court” has the same meaning as in section 59 above;

  • resolution for voluntary winding up” has the same meaning as in the M10Insolvency Act 1986;

  • security” and “property” have the same meaning as in the M11Insolvency Act 1986.

Textual Amendments

F15Words in s. 62(2)(a)(i)(3)(a)(5)(a)(i)(6)(a)(7)(a) substituted (16.10.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 49(4)(b), 60; S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F17S. 62(3)(b) and word repealed (24.7.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 1,59, 60, Sch. 1 para. 27(1)(b)(2), {Sch. 13 Pt. 1} (with s. 14(4)(5), Sch. 11 para. 11(2)); S.I. 2005/1909, art. 2, Sch.

F18S. 62(5)(a)(ii) repealed (24.7.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 1, 59, 60, Sch. 1 para. 27(1)(b)(2)), {Sch. 13 Pt. 1} (with s. 14(4)(5), Sch. 11 para. 11(2)); S.I. 2005/1909, art. 2, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4S. 62 restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(7)

Marginal Citations

63 Government financial assistance where railway administration orders made.E+W+S

(1)Where a railway administration order is for the time being in force in relation to a company [F21other than a Scottish protected railway company] [F22or a Welsh protected railway company], the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury—

(a)make to the company grants or loans of such sums as appear to him to be appropriate for the purpose of facilitating the achievement of the purposes of the order;

[F23(b)agree to indemnify a relevant person in respect of—

(i)liabilities incurred by that person in connection with the carrying out by the railway administrator of his functions under the order; and

(ii)loss or damage incurred by that person in that connection.]

(2)The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, guarantee,F24. . . the repayment of the principal of, the payment of interest on and the discharge of any other financial obligation in connection with any sum which is borrowed from any person by a company [F25 where that company—

(a)is a company in relation to which a railway administration order is in force at the time when the guarantee is given; and

(b)is not a Scottish protected railway company] [F26or a Welsh protected railway company].

a railway administration order is in force at the time when the guarantee is given.

[F27(2A)A grant, loan, indemnity or guarantee under this section may be made or given in whatever manner, and on whatever terms and subject to whatever conditions, the Secretary of State considers appropriate.]

(3)Without prejudice to any provision applied in relation to the company by Schedule 6 to this Act—

(a)the terms and conditions on which a grant is made to any company under this section may require the whole or a part of the grant to be repaid to the Secretary of State if there is a contravention of the other terms and conditions on which the grant is made; and

(b)any loans which the Secretary of State makes to a company under this section shall be repaid to him at such times and by such methods, and interest on the loans shall be paid to him at such rates and at such times, as he may, with the consent of the Treasury, from time to time direct.

[F28(3A)The power of the Secretary of State under this section to agree to indemnify a relevant person—

(a)is confined to a power to agree to indemnify that person in respect of liabilities, loss and damage incurred or sustained by him as a relevant person; but

(b)includes power to agree to indemnify persons (whether or not they are identified or identifiable at the time of the agreement) who subsequently become relevant persons.

(3B)A person is a relevant person for the purposes of this section if he is—

(a)the railway administrator;

(b)an employee of the railway administrator;

(c)a member or employee of a firm of which the railway administrator is a member;

(d)a member or employee of a firm of which the railway administrator is an employee;

(e)a member of a firm of which the railway administrator was an employee or member at a time when the order was in force;

(f)a body corporate which is the employer of the railway administrator; or

(g)an officer, employee or member of such a body corporate.

(3C)For the purposes of this section—

(a)the references in this section to the railway administrator, in relation to a railway administration order, are references to the person appointed to achieve the purposes of the order and, where two or more persons are so appointed, are to be construed as references to any one or more of them; and

(b)the references to a firm of which a person was a member or employee at a particular time include references to a firm which holds itself out to be the successor of a firm of which he was a member or employee at that time.]

(4)Any grant or loan made under this section and any sums required to be paid by the Secretary of State in respect of an indemnity given under this section shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament.

[F29(4A)If sums are paid by the Secretary of State in consequence of an indemnity agreed to under this section in the case of a company in relation to which a railway administration order is in force, the company must pay him—

(a)such amounts in or towards the repayment to him of those sums as he may direct; and

(b)interest, at such rates as he may direct, on amounts outstanding under this subsection.

(4B)Payments to the Secretary of State under subsection (4A) must be made at such times and in such manner as he may determine.

(4C)Subsection (4A) does not apply in the case of a sum paid by the Secretary of State for indemnifying a person in respect of a liability to the company in relation to which the railway administration order in question was made.

(4D)The consent of the Treasury is required for the giving of a direction under subsection (4A) and for the making of a determination under subsection (4B).]

(5)Any sums received under subsection (3) above by the Secretary of State shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Textual Amendments

F21Words in s. 63(1) inserted (16.10.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 50(1)(a), 60; S.I. 2005/2812, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F25Words in s. 63(2) inserted (16.10.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 50(1)(b), 60; S.I. 2005/2812 {art. 2(1)}, Sch. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5S. 63 restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(7)

64 Guarantees under section 63.E+W+S

(1)This section applies in relation to any guarantee given by the Secretary of State under section 63 above.

(2)Immediately after a guarantee to which this section applies is given, the Secretary of State shall lay a statement of the guarantee before each House of Parliament.

(3)Where any sum is paid out for fulfilling a guarantee to which this section applies, the Secretary of State shall, as soon as possible after the end of each financial year (beginning with that in which the sum is paid out and ending with that in which all liability in respect of the principal of the sum and in respect of the interest thereon is finally discharged), lay before each House of Parliament a statement relating to that sum.

(4)Any sums required by the Secretary of State for fulfilling a guarantee to which this section applies shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament.

(5)Without prejudice to any provision applied in relation to the relevant company by Schedule 6 to this Act, if any sums are paid out in fulfilment of a guarantee to which this section applies, the relevant company shall make to the Secretary of State, at such times and in such manner as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct—

(a)payments of such amounts as the Secretary of State may so direct in or towards repayment of the sums so paid out; and

(b)payments of interest, at such rate as the Secretary of State may so direct, on what is outstanding for the time being in respect of sums so paid out;

and the consent of the Treasury shall be required for the giving of a direction under this subsection.

(6)Any sums received by the Secretary of State under subsection (5) above shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

(7)In subsection (5) above “the relevant company” in relation to a guarantee, means the company which borrowed the sums in respect of which the guarantee was given.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6S. 64 restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(7)

[F3064AFinancial assistance by Scottish Ministers [F31or Welsh Ministers] E+W+S

(1)Where a railway administration order is for the time being in force in relation to a Scottish protected railway company [F32or a Welsh protected railway company, the Scottish Ministers or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be)] may—

(a)make grants or loans to the company of such sums as appear to them to be appropriate for the purpose of facilitating the achievement of the purposes of the order; or

(b)agree to indemnify a relevant person in respect of—

(i)liabilities incurred by that person in connection with the carrying out by the railway administrator of his functions under the order; and

(ii)loss or damage incurred by that person in that connection.

(2)The Scottish Ministers [F33or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be)] may guarantee—

(a)the repayment of the principal of any sum borrowed by a Scottish protected railway company [F34or Welsh protected railway company] in relation to which a railway administration order is in force when the guarantee is given;

(b)the payment of interest on a sum so borrowed; and

(c)the discharge of any other financial obligation in relation to a sum so borrowed.

(3)A grant, loan, indemnity or guarantee under this section may be made or given in whatever manner, and on whatever terms and subject to whatever conditions, the Scottish Ministers [F35or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be)] consider appropriate.

(4)The terms on which a grant may be made under this section include, in particular, terms requiring the whole or a part of the grant to be repaid to the Scottish Ministers [F36or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be)] if there is a contravention of the other terms on which the grant is made.

(5)The terms on which a loan may be made under this section include, in particular, terms requiring—

(a)the loan to be repaid at such times and by such methods, and

(b)interest to be paid on the loan at such rates and at such times,

as the Scottish Ministers [F37or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be)] may from time to time direct.

(6)The power of the Scottish Ministers [F38and the Welsh Ministers] under this section to agree to indemnify a relevant person—

(a)is confined to a power to agree to indemnify that person in respect of liabilities, loss and damage incurred or sustained by him as a relevant person; but

(b)includes power to agree to indemnify persons (whether or not they are identified or identifiable at the time of the agreement) who subsequently become relevant persons.

(7)A person is a relevant person for the purposes of this section if he is—

(a)the railway administrator;

(b)an employee of the railway administrator;

(c)a member or employee of a firm of which the railway administrator is a member;

(d)a member or employee of a firm of which the railway administrator is an employee;

(e)a member of a firm of which the railway administrator was an employee or member at a time when the order was in force;

(f)a body corporate which is the employer of the railway administrator; or

(g)an officer, employee or member of such a body corporate.

(8)In this section—

(a)references to the railway administrator, in relation to a railway administration order, are references to the person appointed to achieve the purposes of the order and, where two or more persons are so appointed, are to be construed as references to any one or more of them; and

(b)the references to a firm of which a person was a member or employee at a particular time include references to a firm which holds itself out to be the successor of a firm of which he was a member or employee at that time.

(9)If sums are paid out by the Scottish Ministers [F39or the Welsh Ministers] in respect of an indemnity or guarantee under this section, the company in relation to which the indemnity or guarantee was given must pay [F40the Scottish Ministers or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be)]

(a)such amounts in or towards the repayment to them of those sums as they may direct; and

(b)interest, at such rates as they may direct, on amounts outstanding under this subsection.

(10)Payments to the Scottish Ministers [F41or the Welsh Ministers] under subsection (9) must be made at such times and in such manner as they may determine.

(11)Subsection (9) does not apply in the case of a sum paid by the Scottish Ministers [F42or the Welsh Ministers] for indemnifying a person in respect of a liability to the company in relation to which the railway administration order in question was made.]

Textual Amendments

65 Meaning of “company" and application of provisions to unregistered, foreign and other companies.E+W+S

[F43(1)In the railway administration order provisions of this Act—

  • “company” means—

    (a)

    a company registered under the Companies Act 2006, or

    (b)

    an unregistered company; and

  • “unregistered company” means a company that is not registered under that Act.]

(2)In the application of section 59(1) above in a case where the protected railway company there mentioned is a foreign company, the reference to the affairs, business and property of the company shall be taken as a reference to the affairs and business of the company, so far as carried on in Great Britain, and the property of the company within Great Britain.

(3)In the application of section 9(5) of the 1986 Act by virtue of subsection (4) of section 60 above or subsection (3) of section 61 above where the petition mentioned in the subsection in question relates to a company which is a foreign company, the reference to restricting the exercise of any powers of the directors or of the company shall be taken as a reference to restricting—

(a)the exercise within Great Britain of the powers of the directors or of the company; or

(b)any exercise of those powers so far as relating to the affairs, business or property of the company in Great Britain.

(4)In the application of provisions in section 10 of the 1986 Act by virtue of subsection (5) of section 60 above where the company mentioned in that subsection is a foreign company—

(a)paragraph (a) of subsection (1) shall be omitted;

(b)any reference in paragraph (b) or (c) of that subsection to property or goods shall be taken as a reference to property or (as the case may be) goods for the time being situated within Great Britain;

(c)in paragraph (c) of that subsection—

(i)the reference to the commencement or continuation of proceedings shall be taken as a reference to the commencement or continuation of proceedings in Great Britain; and

(ii)the reference to the levying of distress against the company shall be taken as a reference to the levying of distress against the foreign company to the extent of its property in England and Wales; and

(d)any reference in subsection (2) to an administrative receiver shall be taken to include a reference to any person performing, in relation to the foreign company, functions equivalent to those of an administrative receiver, within the meaning of section 251 of the 1986 Act.

(5)Subsections (1) to (4) of section 62 above shall not have effect in relation to a protected railway company which is a foreign company.

(6)In the application of subsection (7) of that section where the protected railway company there mentioned is a foreign company, the reference to the company’s property shall be taken as a reference to such of its property as is for the time being situated in Great Britain.

(7)In this section—

  • the 1986 Act” means the M12Insolvency Act 1986;

  • foreign company” means a company incorporated outside Great Britain;

  • the railway administration order provisions of this Act” means sections 59 to 64 above, this section and Schedules 6 and 7 to this Act.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7S. 65 restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 19(7)

Marginal Citations