The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Release of trustee

272.—(1) Where the official receiver has ceased to be the trustee of a bankrupt’s estate and a person is appointed in his stead, the official receiver shall have his release with effect from the following time, that is to say—

(a) where that person is appointed by a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors or by the Department, the time at which the official receiver gives notice to the High Court that he has been replaced, and

(b) where that person is appointed by the High Court, such time as the Court may determine.

(2) If the official receiver while he is the trustee gives notice to the Department that the administration of the bankrupt’s estate in accordance with Chapter IV is for practical purposes complete, he shall have his release with effect from such time as the Department may determine.

(3) A person other than the official receiver who has ceased to be the trustee shall have his release with effect from the following time, that is to say—

(a) in the case of a person who has been removed from office by a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors that has not resolved against his release or who has died, the time at which notice is given to the High Court in accordance with the rules that that person has ceased to hold office;

(b) in the case of a person who has been removed from office by a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors that has resolved against his release, or by the High Court, or by the Department, or who has vacated office under Article 271(5), such time as the Department may, on an application by that person, determine;

(c) in the case of a person who has resigned, such time as may be prescribed;

(d) in the case of a person who has vacated office under Article 271(7)—

(i) if the final meeting referred to in that paragraph has resolved against that person’s release, such time as the Department may, on an application by that person, determine; and

(ii) if that meeting has not so resolved, the time at which the person vacated office.

(4) Where a bankruptcy order is annulled, the trustee at the time of the annulment has his release with effect from such time as the High Court may determine.

(5) Where the official receiver or the trustee has his release under this Article, he shall, with effect from the time specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), be discharged from all liability both in respect of acts or omissions of his in the administration of the estate and otherwise in relation to his conduct as trustee.

(6) Nothing in this Article prevents the exercise, in relation to a person who has had his release under this Article, of the High Court’s powers under Article 277.