Insolvency Act 1986

[F1 279 Duration E+W

(1) A bankrupt is discharged from bankruptcy at the end of the period of one year beginning with the date on which the bankruptcy commences.

F2 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) On the application of the official receiver or the trustee of a bankrupt’s estate, the court may order that the period specified in subsection (1) shall cease to run until—

(a) the end of a specified period, or

(b) the fulfilment of a specified condition.

(4) The court may make an order under subsection (3) only if satisfied that the bankrupt has failed or is failing to comply with an obligation under this Part.

(5) In subsection (3)(b) “condition” includes a condition requiring that the court be satisfied of something.

(6) In the case of an individual who is [F3 made] bankrupt on a petition under section 264(1)(d)—

(a) subsections (1) to (5) shall not apply, and

(b) the bankrupt is discharged from bankruptcy by an order of the court under section 280.

(7) This section is without prejudice to any power of the court to annul a bankruptcy order.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 279 substituted (1.4.2004) by 2002 c. 40, ss. 256, 279 (with s. 249(6), Sch. 19); S.I. 2003/2093, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-8 (as amended by S.I. 2003/2332, art. 2))

F2 S. 279(2) omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 21 para. 5; S.I. 2013/2227, art. 2(n) (with art. 6)

F3 Word in 279(6) substituted (6.4.2016) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 19 para. 12; S.I. 2016/191, art. 2 (with art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 279 excluded (1.4.2004) by 2002 c. 40, ss. 256(2), 279, Sch. 19 para. 3 (with s. 249(6)); S.I. 2003/2093, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-8 (as amended by S.I. 2003/2332, art. 2))

C2 S. 279(3)-(5) applied (1.4.2004) by 2002 c. 40, ss. 256(2), 279, Sch. 19 paras. 4(3), 5(5) (with s. 249(6)); S.I. 2003/2093, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-8 (as amended by S.I. 2003/2332, art. 2))