Scheme of this ChapterN.I.
321.—(1) Subject to Article 331(3), this Chapter applies where the High Court has made a bankruptcy order on a bankruptcy petition.
(2) This Chapter applies whether or not the bankruptcy order is annulled under Article 256, but proceedings for an offence under this Chapter shall not be instituted after the annulment.
(3) Without prejudice to his liability in respect of a subsequent bankruptcy, the bankrupt is not guilty of an offence under this Chapter in respect of anything done after his discharge; but nothing in Parts VIII to X prevents the institution of proceedings against a discharged bankrupt for an offence committed before his discharge.
[F1(3A) Paragraph (3) is without prejudice to any provision of this Chapter which applies to a person in respect of whom a bankruptcy restrictions order is in force.]
(4) It is not a defence in proceedings for an offence under this Chapter that anything relied on, in whole or in part, as constituting that offence was done outside Northern Ireland.
(5) Proceedings for an offence under this Chapter or under the rules shall not be instituted except by the Department or by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.
F1Art. 321(3A) inserted (27.3.2006) by Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10)), arts. 1(3), 13(3), Sch. 6 para. 2 (with art. 4); S.R. 2006/21, art. 2 (with S.R. 2006/22, arts. 2 - 7)