The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Winding up of unregistered companies

185.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, any unregistered company may be wound up under this Order; and all the provisions of this Order and the Companies Order about winding up apply to an unregistered company with the exceptions and additions mentioned in paragraphs (2) to (4).

(2) If an unregistered company has a principal place of business situated in England and Wales or Scotland, it shall not be wound up under this Part unless it has a principal place of business situated in Northern Ireland, and the principal place of business in Northern Ireland is, for all the purposes of the winding up, deemed to be the registered office of the company.

(3) No unregistered company shall be wound up under this Order voluntarily.

(4) The circumstances in which an unregistered company may be wound up are as follows—

(a) if the company is dissolved, or has ceased to carry on business, or is carrying on business only for the purpose of winding up its affairs;

(b) if the company is unable to pay its debts;

(c) if the High Court is of opinion that it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up.