Individual Voluntary Arrangements

Individual Voluntary Arrangements

July 1997

Individual Voluntary Arrangements  

57.2EA Introduction

The provisions relating to individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) are contained in Part VIII of the Act and Part 5 of the Rules as amended by the Insolvency Act 2000 (IA2000) and the Enterprise Act 2002 (EA2002) and the Insolvency (Amendment)(No.2) Rules 2002 and the Insolvency (Amendment) Rules 2003 respectively. The IA2000 amendments which came into force on 1 January 2003 effected some general reforms and enabled the IVA procedure to be started without an application for an interim order to create an initial moratorium (see paragraph 57.13).The EA2002 introduced a new fast-track IVA procedure in which the official receiver is able to act as the supervisor (see Chapter 20, Part 6). The Insolvency (Amendment) Rules 2010 (IAR) came into force on 6 April 2010 and have had some effect on individual voluntary arrangements where the nominee agreed to act as such on or after 6 April 2010. The relevant paragraphs have been updated to reflect the changes and information is provided to show when they apply.

The IVA provisions may be used either before or after a bankruptcy order has been made. Whilst details of the procedures relating to a debtor who is an undischarged bankrupt are contained in this chapter, further guidance on the official receiver's role in IVAs is given in Chapter 20. The Insolvency Service's role in IVAs where there is no bankruptcy order is limited to the registration of the IVA on the insolvency register and the collection of the prescribed fee (see paragraph 57.25).

An IVA may constitute either a scheme of arrangement or a composition in satisfaction of debts. The difference between these is that in a scheme the debtor makes over his/her assets to be administered by a trustee whereas in a composition the debtor keeps his/her assets and undertakes to pay over to his/her creditors (in effect to the supervisor) certain sums. An IVA offers flexibility to the debtor in that it may take any form including third party funds [Note 1], funds from continued trading, income from the debtor's business or employment and/or an orderly disposition of some or all of his/her assets.

The Deeds of Arrangement Act 1914 (see Part 2) does not apply to an approved voluntary arrangement [Note 2].  

 

57.3 Post discharge IVAs - an impossible concept

A discharged bankrupt is unable to propose an IVA in respect of the bankruptcy debts. Under section 281 a bankrupt is released from all of his/her bankruptcy debts on discharge and therefore, post discharge, these creditors in the bankruptcy are no longer creditors of the former bankrupt. Section 253(1) refers to the making of a proposal to the bankrupt’s creditors but after discharge the bankrupt may not have any creditors. Section 261 only permits an undischarged bankrupt to secure an annulment after the approval of a post bankruptcy order IVA, not a discharged bankrupt. It is for these reasons that it is an impossible concept for a discharged bankrupt to propose an IVA for his/her bankruptcy debts (there is nothing to prevent an IVA for post bankruptcy debts). If the official receiver becomes aware of such proposals he/she must draw these matters to the attention of the court at the first hearing in relation to the IVA application so that the court is kept legally correct. 

 

57.3A Student Loans in relation to an IVA

(Amended April 2010)

On the 6 April 2010, The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 came into force, making amendments to The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations 2009. The Regulations now include provisions dealing with sums payable and receivable by an ‘eligible student’ (as defined by The Education (Student Support) (No 2)  (Regulations 2008) by way of a student loan, when the eligible student enters into an IVA.

Any sum payable to an eligible student will not be treated as part of any IVA.  Also any debt or liability in respect of a student loan will not be included in the student’s IVA when:

  • the student was entitled to receive the sum to which the debt related after the approval of the IVA, for IVAs approved before 6 April 2010.
  • the IVA was approved on or after 6 April 2010. 

 

57.4 Contents of the proposal

(Amended December 2010)

The debtor should prepare a proposal for an IVA on which the nominee (see paragraph 57.6) is able to make his/her report to the court under section 256 or to the debtor’s creditors under section 256A [Note 3]. Due to the technical matters which are required to be dealt with in the proposal the debtor will almost invariably consult with or instruct an insolvency practitioner, who is most likely to be his/her intended nominee. The result is that most proposals are professionally prepared. At this stage the intended nominee does not have a formal or legal standing and the provisional role is not recognised in the Act or the Rules.

The proposal, which is the key document in an IVA, should explain why the debtor considers that the IVA is desirable and give reasons why creditors may be expected to concur with the IVA [Note 4]. It should also give details of the debtor's assets and liabilities in addition to other prescribed matters. In order to make it likely that the creditors will accept the proposal, it should be credible, an acceptable alternative to bankruptcy and should take account of creditors' legitimate interests [Note 5].

The debtor must give the intended nominee written notice of his/her proposal and the notice, accompanied by a copy of the proposal must be delivered to the nominee, or the person authorised to take delivery of the documents on his/her behalf [Note 6].

The proposal must provide for some person (i.e. the nominee) who must be qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the debtor and is willing to act, to act in relation to the IVA either as trustee or otherwise for the purpose of supervising its implementation [Note 7]. The proposal should also deal with other matters that may become an issue e.g. whether the debtor continues to trade on his/her own account, the monitoring of the business, and in particular, where there is to be ongoing trading, that the debtor remains liable for his/her own future tax affairs and liabilities. The proposal may clarify the supervisor's powers and the exclusion of the supervisor's liability. The proposal should clarify the debtor's obligations particularly as to the time and amount of contributions so that there is no dispute as to whether he/she has complied with those obligations. Since the debtor may later become bankrupt in respect of post IVA debts, it may be desirable for the scheme to allow a supervisor to register a charge over freehold property and to create a trust in favour of creditors bound under the scheme. The proposal should also set out a time scale for its achievement [Note 3]. The debtor may commit an offence if he/she makes any false representations in his/her proposal for procuring an IVA (see paragraph 20.5).

In addition to the standard contents of the proposal set out in Rule 5.3, in post 6 April 2010 cases (where the nominee agreed to act in respect of a proposal on or after 6 April 2010) there are further required contents. The proposal must include details of any previous proposals for an IVA which have been submitted in respect of the debtor within the preceding 24 months. This includes an earlier proposal submitted to either a meeting of creditors for approval, or to the court in connection with an application for an interim order under section 253. The current proposal must also state whether the previous proposal was approved and the arrangement completed, rejected or the arrangement terminated, or whether the interim order was made [Note 8].

In practice many insolvency practitioners have sets of standard terms and conditions which may be adopted by debtors and official receivers may look behind these clauses in the event of a subsequent bankruptcy order being made. Where the legislation is silent on any matters concerned with the IVA the proposal documents' contract terms are binding.

If the nominee agrees to act he/she must endorse a copy of the notice under rule 5.4(1) and return it to the debtor [Note 9].  

 

57.5 Statement of affairs

(Amended December 2010)

The debtor must, at the same time as the proposal is delivered to the nominee, (or within 7 days after the proposal is delivered to the nominee for pre 6 April 2010 cases),,deliver to the nominee a statement of his/her affairs, which must detail his/her assets (secured and unsecured) preferential and unsecured creditors and details of their names and addresses, indicating any debts owed to associates [Note 10].

If the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt and has submitted a statement of affairs in the proceedings this statement of affairs is usually sufficient.

The statement must be verified by a statement of truth made by the debtor [Note 11]. 

 

57.6 Role and powers of the nominee

The nominee must be an authorised insolvency practitioner nominated in the proposal to act in relation to the IVA as trustee or otherwise for the purpose of supervising its implementation [Note 7]. In the fast track procedure the official receiver will be the nominee (see Chapter 20, Part 6).

The nominee’s powers are limited but important and it should be remembered that the statutory powers of the nominee were drafted on the basis that the proposal would be drafted by a person other than the nominee. It is likely that the intended nominee has been actively involved in formulating the proposal. The nominee's principal tasks are to prepare his/her report, chair the meeting of creditors and submit his/her report to the court or to the debtor’s creditors

The nominee may request additional information to supplement the debtor's proposal and statement of affairs before preparing his/her report. The debtor is required to give the nominee such access to his/her accounts and records as the nominee may require, so that the nominee may consider the proposal [Note 12].  

 

57.7 Interim orders

An interim order is a court order that creates an initial moratorium on proceedings against the debtor who intends to apply for an IVA [Note 13]. The aim of the interim order is to enable a viable IVA to be put to creditors as a whole without being spoilt by the action of one or more individual creditors. The IA2000 inserted section 256A in the Act and has removed the requirement to apply for an interim order in every case (see paragraph 57.13) This can cut down on the cost and delays in the IVA procedure.  

 

57.8 Applying for an interim order

(Amended December 2010)

When a debtor intends to make a proposal to his/her creditors for a composition in satisfaction of his/her debts or a scheme of arrangement of his/her affairs, an application may be made to the court for an interim order [Note 14]. The application may be made at any time by the debtor or, if he/she is an undischarged bankrupt, the trustee of his/her estate or the official receiver [Note 15] (see paragraphs 20.23) but only one application may be made in a 12 month period [Note 16].

An application to the court for an interim order must be accompanied by a witness statement specifying the matters prescribed in rule 5.7 [Note 17].

Except in the case of an undischarged bankrupt, the application for an interim order should be made to a court in which the debtor would be entitled to present his/her own petition in bankruptcy. If the debtor is a bankrupt, the application should be made to the court which has conduct of the bankruptcy and filed with those proceedings although a file for the IVA is maintained separately [Note 18]. The application for an interim order should be accompanied by a witness statement which should include the reasons for making the application and other required information together with a copy of the proposal [Note 19]. On receiving the application and witness statement, the court will fix a date for hearing the application [Note 20].

Where the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt, the applicant has to give at least two business days' notice of the hearing (two days for pre 6 April 2010 cases) to the bankrupt, the official receiver and the trustee (whichever of them is not the applicant). Where the debtor is not an undischarged bankrupt, then at least two business days' notice of the hearing (two days for pre 6 April 2010  cases) has to be given to any creditor who the debtor knows has presented a bankruptcy petition against him/her. In all cases at least two business days' notice of the hearing (two days for pre 6 April 2010 cases) has to be given to the nominee who has agreed to act in relation to the proposal [Note 21].

An application for an interim order may not be made while a bankruptcy petition presented by the debtor is pending, if the court has appointed an insolvency practitioner under section 273 to inquire into the debtor's affairs [Note 22]. The court can in such circumstances grant an interim order on its own initiative if it considers it appropriate to do so following receipt of the practitioner's report [Note 23]. When an application is pending the court can also take immediate steps to protect the debtor and his/her assets from legal action [Note 24].  

 

57.9 Hearing of the application for an interim order

(Amended December 2010)

The hearing of the application for an interim order will usually be before a Registrar or District Judge. Unless the court otherwise directs, the hearing of an application must be in open court [Note 25]. Any person who was given notice of the hearing under rule 5.7(4) may appear or be represented at the hearing. The court will consider any representations made by those persons when deciding whether to make an interim order. The court is entitled to look at the whole proposal and is not bound to make an interim order. If the court makes an interim order, it will fix a venue for consideration of the nominee’s report, which should not be later than the date on which the interim order ceases to have effect, subject to any extensions the court may grant [Note 26].

In many instances this is an unnecessary delay and expense and the practice has arisen for the court to be invited to consider the nominee’s report at the same time as the application for an interim order [Note 27]. In certain circumstances the High Court will make a "concertina" order combining the interim order and the order made on considering the nominee’s report. This procedure has been adopted by the courts to avoid the necessity for separate hearings to make an interim order and to consider the nominee’s report, thereby reducing costs and assisting in the conduct of the proceedings. Furthermore, in suitable cases, some courts are prepared to make such orders without the attendance of the debtor or the nominee, for once the documents are delivered to the court, they are put before a Registrar or District Judge for "hearing" [Note 27]. This procedure is again designed to save time and costs. Whilst some County Courts adopt a similar flexible approach, others prefer, upon the making of the interim order, to set a further date for the consideration of the nominee’s report. 

 

57.10 When can an interim order be made

The court will not make an interim order unless it is satisfied that [Note 28]: 

  1. the debtor intends to make a proposal under section 253,
  2. on the day when the application was made the debtor was an undischarged bankrupt or was able to petition for his/her own bankruptcy,
  3. there has been no previous application by the debtor in the preceding 12 months, and
  4. the nominee is a qualified insolvency practitioner who is willing to act.

The court is not required to make an interim order where these four conditions are not satisfied. It has discretion to do so where it considers that it would be appropriate for the purpose of facilitating the consideration and implementation of the proposal [Note 29].

In practice an insolvency practitioner will undertake all of this type of work for an insolvent person and present a "package" to the court, often after drafting the proposals and contacting main creditors to establish what type of proposal they might be prepared to accept.

The court is required to send at least 2 sealed copies of the interim order to the applicant, who should serve a copy on the nominee. The applicant is also required to give notice of the interim order to any person who had notice of the hearing but was not present or represented at it [Note 30] [Note 31]. 

 

57.11 Effect of an interim order

An interim order has the effect, during the period it is in force, of preventing a petition for bankruptcy being presented or proceeded with against the debtor or a landlord or other person to whom rent is payable exercising right of forfeiture by peaceable re-entry to premises let to the debtor. It also prevents other proceedings (including execution) being commenced or continued without the leave of the court [Note 32].

A creditor is thus prevented from presenting a bankruptcy petition even if the debtor has failed to comply with a statutory demand. A secured creditor is not restrained from enforcing his/her rights where this does not involve judicial process. Where such process is involved it is advisable for the creditor to seek the permission of the court but it is difficult to envisage such permission being refused. The making of an interim order does not affect the right to make restraint, charging or confiscation orders or the appointment of a receiver under the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988 [Note 33]. 

 

57.12 Duration of interim order

The aim of the interim order is to provide a breathing space to allow a viable proposal to be formulated and agreed by creditors. However, the provisions, especially those relating to extensions of time, cannot be used to continually obstruct bankruptcy proceedings and the continuance of an interim order is dependant on it serving a useful purpose [Note 34].

An interim order is effective for 14 days beginning with the day after the order is made although it may be renewed [Note 35]. The court does not have unlimited discretion to extend the period of an interim order [Note 36]. The court may discharge an interim order if it is satisfied on the application of the nominee that [Note 37]: 

  1. the debtor has failed to comply with his/her obligations under section 256(2) or
  2. it would be inappropriate for a meeting of creditors to be summoned.

If the creditors decline to approve the debtor's proposal, with or without modifications, the court, on receipt of the report of the meeting, may discharge any interim order which is in force [Note 38].  

 

57.13 Procedure where no interim order is made – nominee’s report

(Amended December 2010)

Pre 6 April 2010 cases (nominee agreed to act before 6 April 2010):

Where a debtor intends to make a proposal for an IVA and no application for an interim order is made [Note 39], the nominee must deliver two copies of his/her report (see paragraph 57.14) to the court within 14 days (or such longer period as the court may allow) after receiving the proposal and statement of affairs from the debtor [Note 40]. The report must be accompanied by a copy of the debtor's proposal, the statement of affairs and the nominee's consent to act. It must also state that no application for an interim order is to be made [Note 41].

Where the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt the nominee must send a copy of the proposal, his/her report and comments and the statement of affairs to the official receiver and any trustee. Where the debtor is not bankrupt these documents should be sent to any person who has presented a bankruptcy petition against the debtor [Note 42].

Post 6 April 2010 cases (nominee agreed to act on or after 6 April 2010):

The IAR introduced new provisions in respect of the nominee’s report to the debtor’s creditors under section 256A, where the debtor has submitted a document to the proposed nominee, setting out the terms of the voluntary arrangement which the debtor is proposing [Note 43].

Within 14 days (or such longer period as the court may allow) of receiving the proposal document from the debtor, the nominee must take the following action: 

a. If the nominee is of the opinion that the voluntary arrangement which the debtor is proposing has a reasonable prospect of being approved and implemented, or that a meeting of the debtor’s creditors should be summoned to consider the debtor’s proposal, the nominee should state this in the report and attach his/her comments on the proposal to the report [Note 44].

The nominee must then deliver specified documents to [Note 45]:

    1.  each of the debtor’s creditors of whose address the nominee is aware,
    2. where the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt, the official receiver and (if any) the trustee, and
    3. any person who has presented a bankruptcy petition against the debtor.

The documents to be delivered by the nominee are [Note 46]:

  1. a copy of the report which should include details of the proposed    venue for the meeting of creditors;
  2. a copy of the nominee’s comments attached to the report;
  3. a copy of the debtor’s proposal (with amendments, if any, authorised under Rules 5.3(3));
  4. a copy or summary of any statement of affairs provided by the debtor;
  5. a copy of the notice referred to in Rule 5.4(3), and
  6. a statement that no application for an interim order under section 253 is to be made. 

b. If the nominee does not have the opinions as stated above he/she must deliver a copy of his/her report to each of the debtor’s creditors of whose address the nominee is aware, and give the reasons why he/she is not of the opinion that the debtor’s proposal has a reasonable prospect of being approved and implemented, or that a meeting of the debtor’s creditors should be summoned to consider the debtor’s proposal [Note 47] [Note 48]. 

 

57.14 The nominee's report where an interim order has been made

(Amended December 2010)

The nominee should, at least 2 business days before the interim order ceases to have effect (or 2 days for pre 6 April 2010 cases), submit a report to the court stating whether in his/her opinion a meeting of the debtor's creditors should be summoned to consider the proposals and if such a meeting should be summoned, the venue of the meeting [Note 49] [Note 50]. The nominee may apply to the court for an extension of the period of the interim order if he requires more time to prepare his/her report [Note 51].

The purpose of the report is not to approve the proposal but to state whether, in the nominee's opinion, a meeting of the debtor's creditors should be summoned to consider the debtor's proposals. If the nominee recommends a creditors' meeting be held, he/she should attach his/her comments on the proposal. If the nominee does not recommend a meeting, he/she must give his/her reasons [Note 53] . If the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt the nominee must send a copy of the report, his/her comments, the proposal and statement of affairs to the official receiver and any trustee. In other cases the nominee must send the said documents to any person who has presented a bankruptcy petition against the debtor [Note 54].

After receiving the nominee's report, if the court is satisfied that a meeting should be summoned, the court can extend the interim order for a further period so that the proposal can be considered by the creditors [Note 56]. Although several extensions of the interim order can be granted, the court will not do so indefinitely [Note 34]. A creditor who has petitioned for bankruptcy may appear or be represented at the hearing by the court to consider the nominee's report. 

 

57.14A Content of the nominee’s report and comments – all cases

There is no statutory form for the nominee's comments but they usually include the basis of the asset valuations, the reliability of the debtor's estimate of liabilities, information on the debtor's attitude and reliability, details of any previous failure(s) and reasons why the proposal will be more beneficial than alternative insolvency proceedings.

Whilst the legislation does not list the duties imposed upon the nominee, recent case law has clarified certain duties. The nominee must go further than merely ensuring that the proposal contains the matters required by the legislation. In making his/her report , the nominee has a duty to exercise professional independent judgment, major deficiencies in his/her report may expose him/her, on a successful challenge to the approval of the scheme, to personal liability for costs in those proceedings [Note 55]. The nominee needs to consider whether the debtor can perform his/her obligations, whether the IVA is feasible, fair to creditors and the debtor and an acceptable alternative to bankruptcy (see Chapter 20, Part 5).

 

57.14B Applications to replace nominee and other applications to court relating to the voluntary arrangement

(Amended December 2010)

The debtor can apply to the court to have the nominee replaced if he/she fails to submit a report or has died. The debtor or nominee may also make such an application if it has become impractical or inappropriate for the nominee to continue to act. The court may direct that the nominee be replaced by another qualified insolvency practitioner who has filed in court his/her consent to act, and/or may extend the period of any interim order in force [Note 57] [Note 58] [Note 59] [Note 60].

In a case where there is no interim order and the nominee has made his/her report under section 256A, any application made to the court in relation to the  voluntary arrangement must be filed in the court where the debtor would be entitled to present his/her bankruptcy petition in accordance with Rule 6.40A. If the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt the appropriate court is that which has conduct of the bankruptcy proceedings [Note 60]   

 

57.15 Summoning of creditors meeting

(Amended December 2010)

Where the nominee has reported to the court that in his/her opinion a creditors' meeting should be summoned to consider the debtor's proposal and no interim order is in force, the meeting should be held not more than 28 days from the date the nominee received the document and statement from the debtor, under section 256A(2), setting out the terms of his/her proposal for voluntary arrangement (for pre 6 April 2010 cases, not less than 14 days and not more than 28 days from the date on which the nominee's report is filed in court) [Note 61]. Where an interim order is in force the meeting should be held not less than 14 days from when the nominee’s report is filed in court and not more than 28 days from the date on which the report is considered by the court [Note 62].

At least 14 days before the date of the meeting, the nominee is required to send notice of the meeting to all creditors of the debtor of whose address the nominee is aware [Note 63]. The notice should specify [Note 64]: 

  1. where an interim order has not been obtained, the court to which application must be made under rule 5.14B(1) or (2) (i.e. the court in which the debtor would be entitled to present his/her own petition in  bankruptcy or, where the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt, the court having the conduct of the bankruptcy proceedings); or
  2.  where an interim order is in force, the court in which the nominee’s report on the debtor’s proposal has been filed under rule 5.8 (i.e. the court in which the debtor would be entitled to present his/her own petition in  bankruptcy or the court having conduct of the debtor’s bankruptcy).

The notice should also summarise the voting requirements in rule 5.23 (as amended by the IAR).

In addition to the notice, the creditors should be sent a form of proxy and, unless already sent, , a copy of the proposal, a copy of the statement of affairs (or a summary of it ) and the nominee's comments on the proposal [Note 65] [Note 66] [Note 67]. If notice of less than 14 days is given to creditor(s), the creditor(s) will not be bound by the IVA. The nominee should have regard to creditors' convenience when fixing the venue for the meeting and ensure that it is held on a business day commencing between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

 

57.16 Purpose of the meeting

(Amended December 2010)

The creditors' meeting is summoned to decide whether to approve the proposed IVA, with or without modifications. The creditors may agree to accept or reject the proposal made by the debtor or approve the proposal with modifications but in the latter case, only if the debtor consents to the modifications [Note 68]. Whilst neither the Act nor the Rules specifically require the debtor to attend the creditors' meeting, in practice it will always be essential for him/her to do so, since modifications might involve an amount of negotiations between the debtor and the creditors. The modifications may include a change of nominee or proposed supervisor but any changes which would affect the rights of secured creditors to enforce their security are only permitted if those creditors agree [Note 69] [Note 70]. Similarly, any changes to the status of preferential creditors (such as ranking equally with unsecured creditors) may only be agreed with the consent of those creditors [Note 71].

The chairman of the meeting should be the nominee or a qualified insolvency practitioner or an employee of the nominee who is experienced in insolvency matters [Note 72]. The chairman cannot use any proxy held by him/her to increase or reduce the amount of the remuneration or expenses of the supervisor unless the proxy directs him/her to vote in that way [Note 73]. A resolution must be taken by creditors, where two or more persons are appointed to act as supervisor, on whether their actions are to done jointly or whether they may act on their own [Note 74]. 

 

57.17 Entitlement to vote

Subject to the limitations set out in rule 5.21, every creditor who has notice of the creditors' meeting is entitled to vote at it or any adjournment of it.

A creditor's entitlement to vote is calculated as follows [Note 75]: 

  1. where the debtor is not an undischarged bankrupt and an interim order is in force, by reference to the amount of the debt owed to him/her at the date of the interim order,
  2. where the debtor is not an undischarged bankrupt and an interim order is not in force, by reference to the amount owed to him/her at the date of the meeting, and
  3. where the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt, by reference to the amount of the debt owed to him/her as at the date of the bankruptcy order.

A creditor may vote in respect of a debt for an unliquidated amount or any debt whose value is not ascertained, and for the purpose of voting (but not otherwise) his/her debt shall be valued at £1 unless the chairman agrees to put a higher value on it [Note 76].

The chairman has power to admit or reject creditors' claims for voting in whole or in part but his/her decision is subject to appeal to the court by any creditor or by the debtor. The court may order another meeting to be summoned if the chairman's decision is reversed or varied or a creditor's vote is declared invalid on an appeal [Note 77].

If the chairman is in doubt, as to whether a claim should be admitted or rejected he/she must mark the vote as "objected to " under rule 5.21 but allow the creditor to vote subject to such votes being declared invalid if the objection to the claim is sustained [Note 78]. It is possible to include and agree a claim for future rent. In such instances the chairman should agree to put a minimum value on the debt which the landlord is entitled to vote upon. The creditor is then bound by the IVA in respect of that claim [Note 79].

Creditors with claims in respect of which written notice of the meeting was not given but who learn about the meeting through some other means are entitled to vote at the meeting [Note 80], but those who neither receive notice of the meeting nor learn of it independently are not entitled to vote at it and are therefore not bound by the IVA. 

 

57.18 Secured creditors

A secured creditor is entitled to notice of the creditors’ meeting and to vote, although its vote on the debt, or the secured part of the debt if partly secured, will be left out of account when calculating the majority. Since a secured creditor is entitled to vote, it will be bound by the IVA [Note 81]. 

 

57.19 Majorities required at meetings

(Amended December 2010)

The approval or modification of a proposal at a creditors' meeting requires a majority of three-quarters or more (in value) of the creditors present in person or by proxy and voting on the resolution. In respect of any other resolution proposed at the meeting, e.g. the supervisor's remuneration, a majority (in value) of those present and voting in person or by proxy is required  [Note 82].

There are provisions to invalidate resolutions when they are carried by the votes of certain "connected" creditors. Votes in respect of a wholly secured claim are left out of account when calculating the majority [Note 83]. Where a claim is partly secured, votes in respect of the secured part are left out of account [Note 84].

If no creditor votes, the IVA cannot be approved.

If the requisite majority for the approval of the IVA (with or without modifications) has not been obtained, the chairman may adjourn the meeting for not more than 14 days. There may be more than one adjournment but the final adjournment must not be to a day later than 14 days after the day on which the meeting was originally held. If following a final adjournment the proposal is not agreed to, it is deemed to have been rejected [Note 85]. 

 

57.20 Report of creditor's meeting

(Amended December 2010)

The chairman must prepare a report of the meeting of creditors containing details of [Note 87]:  

  1. whether the proposal was approved or rejected, with what (if any) modifications,
  2. the resolutions taken and the decision on each one,
  3. a list of creditors (with values) and their respective votes,
  4. whether in the opinion of the supervisor the EC Regulation applies to the IVA and if so whether they are main or territorial proceedings, and
  5. include any further information (if any) the chairman thinks appropriate to make known to the court or the debtor’s creditors as the case may be.

In cases where an interim order has been made, the chairman must file the report in court within 4 business days of the meeting (4 days for pre 6 April 2010 petition cases), [Note 86] 

In all cases the chairman is required to give notice of the result of the meeting to all parties who had notice of the meeting of creditors, and any other known creditors, and if the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt to the official receiver and any trustee. [Note 86a] [Note 86b] This notice must be given as soon as possible after the chairman’s report is filed at court (in an interim order case) or within 4 business days of the meeting (in a non-interim order case) [Note 86c] 

 

57.21 Effect of approval

(Amended January 2010)

Where a creditors' meeting approves the proposal, this has the effect of binding every person who in accordance with the rules was entitled to vote at the meeting (whether or not he/she was present or represented at it) or would have been so entitled if he/she had received notice of it, as if he/she were a party to the IVA [Note 88]. The approved IVA is deemed to be in force and effective from the date of the creditors' meeting; no further orders of the court are necessary.

Any interim order lapses immediately after the expiry of 28 days starting with the day when the report of the creditors' meeting was presented to the court, subject to any directions which the court gives for the purposes of an application under section 262 [Note 89].

Any bankruptcy petition which had been presented and was stayed by the interim order is treated as dismissed, unless the court orders otherwise [Note 90]. 

 

57.22 Challenge of the meetings' decision

An application may be made to the court to challenge the decision of the meeting of creditors on one or both of the following grounds [Note 91]: 

  1. that the IVA unfairly prejudices the interests of a creditor, or
  2. that there has been a material irregularity at or in relation to the creditors' meeting.

The application may be made by the debtor, the nominee, a person who was entitled to vote at the creditors' meeting in accordance with the rules and where the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt, the trustee or the official receiver [Note 92]. The application must be made within 28 days of the result of the creditors' meeting being reported to the court. In the case of a person who was not given notice of the creditors' meeting the application must be made within 28 days beginning with the day on which he/she become aware that the meeting had taken place [Note 93].

False or misleading information provided by a debtor in his/her statement of affairs or proposal would constitute a "material irregularity at or in relation to the creditors' meeting" [Note 94].The official receiver is only expected to apply in exceptional circumstances e.g. on the basis of "public interest", but must show either unfair prejudice or material irregularity.

Where the court is satisfied that one of the grounds is made out, it can revoke or suspend the approval and/or direct the summoning of further meetings, as well as giving supplemental directions [Note 95] [Note 96]. Rule 5.30 sets out the notice requirements which apply when the court makes an order under section 262 revoking or suspending the creditors' approval of the IVA.

Applications under section 262 are often made jointly with an application to appeal against a decision of the chairman under rule 5.22(3). 

 

57.23EA False representations

The debtor commits an offence if, for the purpose of obtaining the approval of his/her creditors to a proposal for an IVA he/she make any false representations, or fraudulently does or omits to do anything [Note 97]. 

 

57.24EA Prosecution of delinquent debtors

If it appears to the nominee or the supervisor that the debtor has been guilty of any offence in connection with the IVA for which he/she is criminally liable the matter should be reported immediately to the Authorisations Team [Note 98]. 

 

57.25EA Individual Insolvency Register (IIR)

(Amended December 2010)

Under rule 6A.1 the Secretary of State is required to maintain an individual insolvency register (IIR) recording matters relating to bankruptcies, debt relief orders and IVAs and is required to enter all matters reported to him/her under rules 5.29 (as amended by the IAR) (reports to the Secretary of State) and 5.34 (as amended by the IAR) (completion or termination of an IVA).

The information regarding IVAs is collected and collated on behalf of the Secretary of State by Insolvency Practitioner Unit in Birmingham. This information then feeds into the IIR which is available to the public through the Insolvency Service website.

Where an obligation to enter information onto or delete information from, the register arises, the information must be entered/deleted as soon as practicable after it arises. The chairman of a creditors' meeting approving an IVA is required to provide details of the IVA to the Secretary of State for registration within 14 days of reporting the result of the meeting to the court or the creditors [Note 98a]

Pre 6 April 2010 cases (where nominee agreed to act before 6 April 2010):

Where an IVA or FTVA  has been approved the register must record the name and address of the debtor, the date the IVA was approved by creditors, the name and address of the supervisor and the court in which the chairman’s or official receiver's report has been filed. The debtor’s gender, date of birth and any other names should also be included. [Note 99]

All information concerning an IVA will be deleted immediately from the IIR where a notice that the IVA has been revoked, fully implemented or terminated has been received [Note 100].

Post 6 April 2010 cases (where nominee agreed to act on or after 6 April 2010) :

Where an IVA has been accepted by the debtor’s creditors and the Secretary of State has received the information required under the Rules  regarding the approval, appointment as supervisor, completion or termination of the arrangement, the Secretary of State must enter the following information into the IIR [Note 101]: 

  1. the name and address of the debtor;
  2. the date on which the arrangement was approved by the creditors;
  3. the debtor’s gender;
  4. the debtor’s date of birth;
  5. any name by which the debtor was or is known, not being the name in which the debtor has entered into the voluntary arrangement;
  6. as regards an arrangement other than under section 263A(a), the name and address of the supervisor;
  7. as regards an arrangement under section 263A (FTVA) –

i. that the official receiver is the supervisor; and

ii. the address of the official receiver; and

   h. a statement whether the arrangement –

i. was completed in accordance with its terms; or

ii. failed.

All information concerning an IVA will be deleted from the IIR where a notice that the IVA has been revoked, fully implemented or terminated has been received and a period of 3 months has elapsed from receipt of the notice [Note 100]. Additionally, under the persons at risk of violence provisions there may be an order preventing current address being shown on IIR (see paragraph 6.32A). 

 

57.26 Duties and powers of the supervisor

(Amended December 2010)

Once the scheme has taken effect, the nominee becomes the supervisor of the scheme [Note 102]. He/she must take out a specific bond relating to the appointment and comply with the requirements of the Insolvency Practitioners Regulations 1990 (as amended). The debtor and the official receiver or trustee (if the debtor is a bankrupt) must ensure that the supervisor is given possession of the assets included in the IVA (see paragraph 20.36) [Note 103].

The supervisor is required to keep records and accounts of his/her acts and dealings in and in connection with the IVA, including in particular records of all receipts and payments of money, which may be inspected by the Secretary of State, and at least once every 12 months he/she must issue a report on the progress of the IVA, including an abstract of receipts and payments, to be sent to the debtor and all creditors bound by the IVA. In pre 6 April 2010 cases a copy of the report must also be sent to the court. If during the period no receipts and payments have been made, a statement to that effect must be sent [Note 104] [Note 105].

The supervisor may also consider any transactions defrauding creditors and may apply to the court for an order restoring the position to what it would have been if the transaction had not been entered into and protecting the interests of the victim of the transaction [Note 106]. The supervisor may also apply to the court at any time for directions if, for example, a problem arises in the administration of the IVA [Note 107]. The supervisor is able to present a bankruptcy petition against the debtor (see paragraph 57.30) [Note 108]. If the debtor, any of his/her creditors or any other person is dissatisfied by the actions, omissions or decisions of the supervisor, he/she may apply to the court, whereupon the court may confirm, reverse or modify any decisions of the supervisor or give him/her directions [Note 109]. Misconduct by the debtor or failure by the supervisor either to seek directions from the court or to present a bankruptcy petition could be the basis for such an application.  

 

57.27EA Procedure if debtor is an undischarged bankrupt

(Amended December 2010)

It is possible for a debtor who is an undischarged bankrupt to nominate an insolvency practitioner to act as nominee/supervisor and to propose an IVA [Note 110] [Note 111]. Reference should be made to Chapter 20, Part 5 which outlines the official receiver's role in these IVAs and the procedures to be followed by official receivers. The EA2002 inserted sections 263A to G and 389B into the Act and has introduced a fast track IVA procedure where the official receiver will be the supervisor. For full details of the FTVA procedures see Chapter 20, Part 6. This paragraph covers an application for an IVA made by the bankrupt where the proposed nominee is not the official receiver.

Where a bankrupt wishes to make an IVA he/she is required to give notice of his/her proposal to the official receiver and, if any, his/her trustee; this should contain the name and address of the nominee. Where the bankrupt is applying for an interim order he/she must give at least 2 business days notice (2 days notice for pre 6 April 2010 cases) of the hearing of the application for an interim order to the official receiver and any trustee [Note 21]. The official receiver should normally attend the hearing in his/her capacity as receiver and manager or trustee. The official receiver should not seek to frustrate the proposal but should acquaint the court with any problems that have been encountered (see paragraph 20.30) [Note 112].

Where an interim order is made in the proceedings it may contain provisions regarding the conduct of the bankruptcy and the administration of the bankrupt's estate during the period that the order is in force; these may include a provision staying the bankruptcy proceedings (see paragraph 20.25). However, the interim order will not relax or remove any requirement in the bankruptcy unless the court is satisfied that it is unlikely that it will result in a reduction in value of the debtor's estate.

The official receiver should examine the nominee's report (as detailed in paragraph 57.14) on the bankrupt's proposal and may make representations in relation to it at any hearing by the court to consider the report (see paragraph 20.30).

Notice of the creditors' meeting should be sent to all creditors of the debtor of whose address the nominee is aware [Note 63], including creditors in respect of debts which are not provable debts in a bankruptcy e.g. matrimonial debts [Note 113]. Rule 12.3, which excludes matrimonial claims from a dividend entitlement in a bankruptcy, does not apply to IVAs. Notice of the result of the creditors' meeting must be sent to the official receiver and to any trustee [Note 86b].

Where a creditors' meeting has approved an IVA the court shall, on the application of the bankrupt or where the bankrupt fails to make an application the official receiver, annul the bankruptcy (see paragraph 20.38) [Note 114]. The court may give such directions about the conduct of the bankruptcy and the administration of the bankruptcy estate as it thinks appropriate for facilitating the implementation of the approved IVA. However, the court may not annul the bankruptcy order until 28 days after the chairman's report of the creditors' meeting has been made or whilst a challenge is pending (see paragraph 57.20). 

 

57.28 Handover to supervisor

Once a proposal is approved the IVA should get under way as soon as practicable, subject only to being halted by a challenge under section 262 (see paragraph 57.22). The official receiver or trustee should do all that is required for putting the supervisor into possession of the assets included in the IVA as soon as practicable after the creditors' meeting [Note 115]. A receipt should be obtained for any physical assets held by the official receiver. A handover to a supervisor does not involve the record book, estate cash book or other documents usually handed over to a trustee (see Chapter 17).

On taking possession of the assets, the supervisor should discharge any balance due to the official receiver or trustee (or provide a written undertaking to discharge any such balance out of the first realisation of assets) [Note 116]. In practice, the official receiver will deduct his/her fees, costs and expenses before handing over any balance to the supervisor. When the supervisor discharges the official receiver's debit balance, no realisation fee or Secretary of State fee should be charged on the payment of that balance. If there are insufficient assets in hand, the official receiver should obtain from the supervisor a written undertaking to discharge amounts due to the official receiver out of the first realisation of assets [Note 117].

Any assets not included in the IVA should remain in the control of the official receiver as receiver and manager or trustee until the bankruptcy order is annulled or other directions for their disposal are made by the court. 

 

57.29 Completion of the arrangement

Within 28 days of the completion of an IVA, the supervisor must give notice of the completion and submit a final report to all creditors bound by the IVA and to the debtor. The report should include a summary of receipts and payments and set out any difference in the implementation of the IVA as compared with the proposal which was approved by the creditors' meeting. A copy of the notice and report should also be sent to the Secretary of State (and in interim order cases filed with the court) within the same time limit. These time limits may be extended by the court, on the supervisor's application. The supervisor shall not vacate office until after the notice of completion and a copy of the report have been sent to the court and the Secretary of State [Note 118]. 

 

57.30 Default by a debtor

Default by a debtor in connection with an IVA is identified by the Act as a ground for a bankruptcy order [Note 119]. A petition for an order on this ground may be presented by the supervisor or any person bound by the IVA (other than the debtor) [Note 120], if the debtor has :

  • failed to comply with his/her obligations under the IVA,
  • given false or misleading information in connection with the IVA, or
  • failed to do everything reasonably required of him/her by the supervisor of the IVA for the purposes of the IVA.

The proposal may set out that the supervisor should retain sufficient monies to pay the costs of such a petition [Note 121] [Note 122]. If a supervisor presents a bankruptcy petition on the basis of a default in connection with an IVA, the IVA is deemed to have been brought to an end [Note 123]. The assets which are held in the IVA should be released to the trustee, subject to any properly incurred expenses of the administration which are a first charge on those assets or funds. Consequently the bound creditors are released from the IVA and may seek to recover their debts by proving in the bankruptcy [Note 123].

If the supervisor is without funds, he/she may prefer merely to circulate to creditors a "certificate of non-compliance" which states that the debtor has defaulted and the IVA is at an end. This will leave the creditors or the debtor with the option of presenting a bankruptcy petition. In any event the supervisor should issue his/her final reports [Note 124]. 

 

57.31 Effect if arrangement fails

The failure of an IVA is not dealt with in the legislation and ideally the proposal should set out specific circumstances in which the proposal will be deemed to have failed and details of the action to be taken by the supervisor. It may be desirable to allow the supervisor some discretion to permit the scheme to continue if there is only a minor setback but it should also give him/her authority to issue a certificate of non-compliance when it becomes apparent to him/her that the scheme has failed. It may be that the scope for action is limited due to lack of funds. However, it is envisaged that a supervisor must take some positive action if it appears that an IVA is failing either in accordance with the provisions of the proposal or where there are no such provisions by seeking directions from the court or petitioning for a bankruptcy order [Note 125]. 

 

57.32 Effect of death of debtor

Where the court has made an interim order and the nominee learns that the debtor has died, the nominee should give notice of the death to the court, whereupon the court will discharge the order. If the debtor dies before the creditors' meeting is held, it should not be held. If the debtor was an undischarged bankrupt at the date of his/her death, the personal representative should give notice of the death to the official receiver and any trustee. An IVA proposed by a bankrupt can revert to bankruptcy proceedings, without the supervisor presenting a petition, if the debtor died prior to the bankruptcy order being annulled. Sections 260 and 262, which deal with the effect of approval and challenge to the decisions made by the meeting of creditors, cease to apply on or after the death of the debtor. Where the debtor dies after an IVA has been approved, the supervisor must give notice to the court of his/her death. It is not clear whether the IVA can then go ahead, notwithstanding the debtor's death. The disapplication of section 260, for example, which provides that the creditors are bound, indicates that they will no longer be bound after the debtor's death. However, there are other indications in the Administration of Insolvent Estates of Deceased Persons Order 1986 that the IVA may continue after the debtor's death and it is thought that the courts would be likely to take the view that the IVA could in principle continue. A difficulty would, however, arise if the IVA contained provisions in which the debtor had to personally participate, e.g. the carrying on of a business or contributions from earned income, and the court may take the view that the IVA should cease at least in these circumstances. The IVA itself might also provide for termination in the event of the debtor's death [Note 126] [Note 127] [Note 128]. 

 

57.33 Effect of subsequent bankruptcy

Apart from a petition in connection with a default by the debtor (see paragraph 57.30), it is possible for a petition to be presented by a creditor who is not bound by the IVA or creditor(s) whose debts arose after the IVA [Note 120]. The making of a bankruptcy order does not automatically terminate an IVA to which the bankrupt was subject at that time unless the terms of the IVA so provide [Note 129]. The effect of a subsequent bankruptcy on an existing IVA will depend on the circumstances of the case, the terms of the IVA and, in particular, any trust clause contained in the IVA [Note 130].

If the bankruptcy order is made on the petition of the supervisor presented under section 264(1)(c), then the IVA is thereby terminated [Note 1]. If a petition was presented by a creditor who was not bound by the IVA, e.g. one whose debt arose after the approval of the IVA, it should be established whether at the time the bankruptcy order was made there was a breach of the terms of the IVA on which a petition under section 264 (1) (c) could have been presented and therefore the IVA would be likely to come to an end. If such a petition could not have been presented it is likely that the IVA continues in force (subject to what is provided in the proposal) although this matter is not free from doubt. If the debtor presents his/her own petition, it is not clear that the IVA will come to an end. Again, it is necessary to consider whether there were breaches in the IVA which would be grounds for a supervisor presenting a petition under section 264(1)(c) and again reference should be made to the terms of the IVA which might well provide that it comes to an end in these circumstances.  

 

57.34 Assets available to a Trustee

The Court of Appeal judgment in Re: N T Gallagher & Son Ltd [Note 131] affects the way in which the official receiver should treat the assets of an IVA once a bankruptcy order has been made. Although the case relates to a Company Voluntary Arrangement, the judgment is clear that it can also be applied to an IVA.

The decision in the case means that the supervisor of an IVA who has received contributions from the subject of the IVA is in effect a trustee of those monies for the IVA creditors. The effect of bankruptcy on this trust created by the IVA will depend on the terms of the IVA itself. Where the IVA provides for what is to happen on bankruptcy or the failure of the IVA, those provisions should be followed. However, where there are no such provisions contained in the IVA, any trust created by the IVA over the assets will continue despite the making of a bankruptcy order.

Where the bankrupt has not complied with his/her obligations under the terms of the IVA, it appears that if the IVA comes to an end, his/her creditors will be creditors in any subsequent bankruptcy but where he/she has fulfilled his/her obligations, those creditors may not be creditors in the bankruptcy and notices need not be sent to them (see Chapter 20) although there remain some doubts on these matters. As far as the creditors in the IVA are concerned, they may only claim in the subsequent bankruptcy for as much of their debt as remains after payment of what has been or will be recovered from the monies or assets held in trust under the IVA.

On the making of a bankruptcy order following the failure of an IVA, the official receiver should request the supervisor to provide details of the IVA proposal (as amended) agreed by the creditors, a copy of the statement of affairs and details of the assets (both realised and unrealised) and any trusts that he/she considers may have been established by the IVA. The official receiver should then look at the wording of the agreed proposal to confirm whether any monies or assets held by the supervisor are held on trust for the benefit of the IVA creditors. The supervisor must be notified by the official receiver of the conclusions arrived at as soon as possible in the expectation that the position will be agreed between them.

In bankruptcy cases where an asset has been placed in trust under the IVA, it will remain vested in the bankrupt following section 283(3) which states that property held by the bankrupt on trust for another person is not to be treated as comprising part of the bankrupt’s estate. It will thus be for the bankrupt to realise any outstanding asset(s) and account to the supervisor for any realisation(s).

In those bankruptcy cases where the IVA has not failed and the bankrupt has a continuing obligation to make payments to his/her supervisor this should not automatically be deemed as sufficient reason not to pursue an income payments order.

Rule 6.46A provides that where a bankruptcy order is made and an IVA is in force at the time the petition is presented, expenses properly incurred in the administration of the IVA shall be a first charge on the bankrupt’s estate but this is only applicable in cases where the bankrupt presents their own petition. Section 276(2) makes the same provision when the (former) supervisor presents the petition under section 264(1)(c). In both cases, the unpaid expenses will be a first charge on the bankruptcy estate even though the underlying asset from which they are paid may not have been included in the IVA. In both cases, where the (former) supervisor seeks to act in this way, consideration should be given to the terms, as amended, of the proposal for the IVA to ensure that the expenses are authorised and are otherwise 'properly incurred'. If the official receiver is in any doubt as to the validity of the claim for expenses, he should raise his doubts with the (former) supervisor. 

 

57.35 Effect of discharge

The effect of a bankrupt's discharge from bankruptcy on his/her obligations under an IVA is unclear. However, since discharge only releases the bankrupt from bankruptcy debts and the debts under an IVA may not be bankruptcy debts in the light of Re McKeen [Note 129], it is thought unlikely that discharge from bankruptcy releases the bankrupt/debtor from his/her obligations under an IVA which survived the making of the bankruptcy order. 

 

57.36 VAT and bad debt relief

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will not regard the supervisor as being responsible for accounting for VAT either during the period from which he/she was first involved as nominee or as regards the period from the date of the creditors' meeting. However, the supervisor should ensure that proper records are kept, returns made and VAT fully accounted for. If the supervisor continues the trading of the business, the position regarding VAT should be specified in the proposal. The principal requirement for claiming VAT bad debt relief is that the debt is more than six months old and that it has been written off [Note 132]. 

 

57.37 Taxation

A supervisor is not separately assessed in respect of the debtor's income during the period of the IVA. If the debtor is in business, there is no new accounting period and income continues to be assessed on the debtor in the normal way. The supervisor must, however, separate liabilities to HMRC prior to the relevant date (i.e. the date of the creditors' meeting) which are treated as claims against the estate, from ongoing liabilities relating to income accrued during the period of the IVA. HMRC will frequently require that taxation returns be brought up to date and that future returns be submitted on time as a condition of their consent to the proposal. 

 

57.38 Partnerships

The partners of an insolvent partnership may propose a voluntary arrangement for a joint estate but in practice this will be interlocking with the proposals in respect of their own affairs [Note 133]. Reference should be made to Chapter 53 - Partnerships and Chapter 56 - Alternative Corporate Procedures for guidance on this matter.

 

 

 

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