Insolvency Act 1986

Moving from administration to creditors’ voluntary liquidation E+W+S

[F1 83 (1) This paragraph applies in England and Wales where the administrator of a company thinks—

(a) that the total amount which each secured creditor of the company is likely to receive has been paid to him or set aside for him, and

(b) that a distribution will be made to unsecured creditors of the company (if there are any) [F2 which is not a distribution by virtue of section 176A(2)(a)].

(2) This paragraph applies in Scotland where the administrator of a company thinks—

(a) that each secured creditor of the company will receive payment in respect of his debt, and

(b) that a distribution will be made to unsecured creditors (if there are any) [F3 which is not a distribution by virtue of section 176A(2)(a)].

(3) The administrator may send to the registrar of companies a notice that this paragraph applies.

(4) On receipt of a notice under sub-paragraph (3) the registrar shall register it.

(5) If an administrator sends a notice under sub-paragraph (3) he shall as soon as is reasonably practicable—

(a) file a copy of the notice with the court, and

(b) send a copy of the notice to each creditor [F4 , other than an opted-out creditor,] of whose claim and address he is aware.

(6) On the registration of a notice under sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) the appointment of an administrator in respect of the company shall cease to have effect, and

(b) the company shall be wound up as if a resolution for voluntary winding up under section 84 were passed on the day on which the notice is registered.

(7) The liquidator for the purposes of the winding up shall be—

(a) a person nominated by the creditors of the company in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed period, or

(b) if no person is nominated under paragraph (a), the administrator.

(8) In the application of Part IV to a winding up by virtue of this paragraph—

(a) section 85 shall not apply,

(b) section 86 shall apply as if the reference to the time of the passing of the resolution for voluntary winding up were a reference to the beginning of the date of registration of the notice under sub-paragraph (3),

(c) section 89 does not apply,

(d) sections F5 ... 99 and 100 shall not apply,

(e) section 129 shall apply as if the reference to the time of the passing of the resolution for voluntary winding up were a reference to the beginning of the date of registration of the notice under sub-paragraph (3), and

(f) any creditors’ committee which is in existence immediately before the company ceases to be in administration shall continue in existence after that time as if appointed as a liquidation committee under section 101.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. B1 inserted (15.9.2003) by 2002 c. 40, ss. 248(2), 279, Sch. 16 (with s. 249(1)-(3)(6)); S.I. 2003/2093, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3-8 (as amended by S.I. 2003/2332, art. 2))

F2 Words in Sch. B1 para. 83(1)(b) inserted (26.5.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 128(3), 164(3)(i)(ii)

F3 Words in Sch. B1 para. 83(2)(b) inserted (26.5.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 128(3), 164(3)(i)(ii)

F4 Words in Sch. B1 para. 83(5)(b) inserted (26.5.2015 for specified purposes, 6.4.2017 for E.W. in so far as not already in force, 6.4.2019 for S. in so far as not already in force) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), s. 164(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(31); S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 3(d); S.I. 2016/1020, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5) (as amended by S.I. 2017/363, reg. 3); S.I. 2019/816, reg. 4(c) (with reg. 5)

F5 Word in Sch. B1 para. 83(8)(d) omitted (26.5.2015 for specified purposes, 6.4.2017 for E.W. in so far as not already in force, 6.4.2019 for S. in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), s. 164(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(32); S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 3(d); S.I. 2016/1020, reg. 4(e) (with reg. 5) (as amended by S.I. 2017/363, reg. 3); S.I. 2019/816, reg. 4(c) (with reg. 5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. B1 specified provisions applied (with modifications) (31.1.2019) by Technical and Further Education Act 2017 (c. 19), s. 47(2), Sch. 3; S.I. 2018/1161, reg. 3(c) (as amended (26.12.2023) by 2023 c. 55, s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 210(a) (with s. 247))

C2 Sch. B1 specified provisions applied (with modifications) (31.1.2019) by Technical and Further Education Act 2017 (c. 19), s. 47(2), Sch. 4; S.I. 2018/1161, reg. 3(d) (as amended: (28.6.2022) by 2022 c. 21, ss. 25(4), 36(2); and (26.12.2023) by 2023 c. 55, s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 211(a) (with s. 247))

C3 Sch. B1 excluded in part (E.W.) (15.3.2024) by The Water Industry (Special Administration) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/205), regs. 2(2), 5(2) (with reg. 64)

C4 Sch. B1 paras. 83-91 modified (5.7.2018) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 5 Pts. 1, 2; S.I. 2018/805, reg. 3(b)

C5 Sch. B1 paras. 83-91 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (15.3.2024) by The Water Industry (Special Administration) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/205), regs. 2(2), 5(1), 27-32 (with reg. 64)

C6 Sch. B1 para. 83(5) modified (E.W.) (31.1.2019) by The Further Education Bodies (Insolvency) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/138), regs. 1(1), 31 (with regs. 1(2), 3(a)(ii))