The Insolvency (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2023

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Insolvency Rules (Northern Ireland) 1991 (S.R. 1991 No. 364) (“the principal Rules”) in connection with the introduction of the new moratorium procedure (“the moratorium”) in Part 1A of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19)) (“the 1989 Order”) and the repeal of Schedule A1 to that Order.

Section 4 of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (c.12) (“CIGA 2020”) inserted a new Part A1 into the 1989 Order. Part A1 provides for a moratorium (“the moratorium”) which, in summary, enables an eligible company to obtain certain protections from creditors. Schedule 8 to CIGA 2020 contains temporary rules for the purpose of the moratorium. Those temporary rules were enacted so that the moratorium could be given immediate effect pending the making of these Rules. In addition, section 5 of CIGA 2020 repealed Schedule A1 to the 1989 Order. Schedule A1 contained provision for a different form of moratorium which was, in effect, superseded by the coming into force of the moratorium.

These Rules are in three Parts. Part 1 contains introductory provision dealing with the coming into operation and territorial extent of the Rules. Rules 4 and 5 make saving provision for cases where a moratorium, (or a moratorium under Schedule A1 to the 1989 Order), is in effect, (or, in certain cases, an application for a moratorium has been made), at the time these Rules come into operation. If that is the case then the amendments made by these Rules do not apply; instead the rules that applied at the time that the moratorium first came into effect, (or the application for the moratorium was made), continue to apply for the life of that moratorium.

Part 2 of these Rules inserts a new Part into the principal Rules setting out the detailed procedures for the conduct of the moratorium; in particular, it specifies the content and timing of the various notifications that are required to be given in connection with the obtaining, coming into force, extension and termination of the moratorium.

Part 3 of these Rules makes consequential amendments to Rule 0,2 and Parts 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 and 12 of, and Schedule 2 to, the principal Rules. These consequential amendments deal with matters such as: the notifications that must be given where a company enters another form of insolvency procedure during a moratorium; the identification of debts incurred during a moratorium which are required under the 1989 Order to have priority in subsequent insolvency procedures; and changes to rules concerning court procedure which are intended to be of general application so as to ensure that they also cover moratoriums.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. An explanatory memorandum has been published alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk .