Glossary

To ensure you get the maximum benefit from the information contained within this website, we have provided a glossary of the most frequently used terms you are likely to come across in the world of insolvency and business recovery. We accept however, that it is not possible to cover every phrase or term and, as such, should you require further information, we would urge you to contact your local Harrisons office, who will be only too pleased to assist you.

The licensed insolvency practitioner appointed to deal with the Administration of the company by either the directors, creditors or holders of a qualifying floating charge.

The process under which an insolvency practitioner is appointed receiver by a debenture holder to realise the company’s assets on its behalf. This process has become less common since September 2003 when the Enterprise Act 2002 came into force.

Property and goods belonging to the company, partnership or individual

A decision in favour of a creditor in respect of the debt they are owed.

This occurs where a petition is made to the court to wind up the company. Such petitions are normally presented by creditors.

A process by which the directors of a company convene a meeting of shareholders and creditors to place the company into insolvent liquidation. This is done with the assistance of a licensed insolvency practitioner instructed by the directors.

An agreement put forward by a company to its creditors through a licensed insolvency practitioner, usually to agree a full and final settlement with the company’s creditors. This is normally done either by making a monthly contribution over a period of time or a one off payment to creditors’ in settlement of their claims.

A type of security, usually held by banks, which includes a floating charge over the company’s assets. Depending on when it was dated it gives a right to appoint administrative receivers or an administrator over the company.

A person who owes money to the company, partnership or individual

A repayment scheme to pay off part or all of your debts.

This is where goods are seized and ultimately sold towards payment of a debt. Distraint is generally available to HMRC and the landlord of the business premises in respect of unpaid rent.

A charge held over specific assets. The company will not be able to dispose of such assets without specific consent of the chargeholder. An example of this would be a charge over land and buildings, whereby they cannot be sold without the chargeholder’s consent.

Under the Insolvency Act 1986, only persons who are licensed insolvency practitioners can act as liquidators, supervisors of voluntary arrangements, administrators, administrative receivers and trustees in bankruptcy. It is a criminal offence for anyone who is not a licensed insolvency practitioner to act as one. Furthermore, any purported appointment by someone who is not licensed could be void.

The amounts owed by a company, partnership or individual to its creditors.

A licensed insolvency practitioner, who assists in preparation of the proposal and convening of the meeting of creditors in a company, partnership or individual voluntary arrangement prior to its being approved by creditors.

A voluntary arrangement for a partnership over the partnership assets. A licensed insolvency practitioner has to be appointed as the nominee/supervisor.

A creditor who is entitled to receive certain payments in priority to floating charge holders and other unsecured creditors. These creditors include occupational pension schemes and certain monies due to employees.

Either the Official Receiver or a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner appointed by the court to safeguard the company’s assets pending the making of a winding up order.

Suppliers of goods, often have standard terms and conditions whereby they retain ownership/title of the goods they have supplied, until they have been paid for them.

A person, although not formally registered as a director at Companies House, on whose instructions the directors/employees of a company are accustomed to acting.

A licensed insolvency practitioner, who has been appointed to supervise the voluntary arrangement agreed between the company/partnership/individual and its creditors and to ensure the terms are fully complied with.

An individual against whom a Bankruptcy Order has been made and has not yet received their discharge.

The process by which the directors of a company convene a meeting of shareholders and seek a Decision Procedure from creditors to place the company into insolvent liquidation. This is done with the assistance of a licensed insolvency practitioner instructed by the directors.

This is a process by which the directors of a company, its creditors or the holder of a qualifying floating charge place the company into administration by filing the requisite appropriate notices at court. Administration protects the company from its creditors, while the Administrator prepares a proposal for the creditors.

A licensed insolvency practitioner who has been appointed by the holder of a debenture (more often than not banks), to realise the company’s assets on behalf of the debenture holder.

A formal application to the Court, the effect of which is to cancel the Bankruptcy Order.

BRO’s were introduced on 1 April 2004 whereby a bankrupt who has been dishonest or in some other way to blame for their bankruptcy, may undertake or have a court order made against them which will mean that the restrictions within the bankruptcy continue to apply despite discharge for a period of between two to 15 years.

A security interest taken over the property of a company or individual by one of its creditors to protect itself against non-payment. Typical examples are a mortgage or debenture

A person who is owed money by a company, partnership or individual

A meeting held at which creditors can put forward their views and vote on resolutions put before them.

All liquidators (insolvent liquidations only), administrators, and administrative receivers are required to submit a report to the Insolvency Service, via an online questionnaire, relating to the outcome of their investigations into the affairs of the company and the conduct of the directors. Subject to the information provided via the online questionnaire (and any other considerations), the Insolvency Service will decide whether or not to undertake its own investigations into the affairs of the directors and may choose to commence disqualification proceedings against those directors who they believe are unfit to act as company directors.

A sum distributed to the creditors of the company.

Taking out one large loan to pay off a number of smaller debts.

A procedure whereby a director has a court order made against them or gives an undertaking to the Secretary of State, which makes it an offence for that person to be involved in the management or directorship of a company for the period specified in the order. (See D Report)

The surplus funds following the sale or re-mortgage of your house, after having paid off all of the mortgage/secured creditors.

This is a type of charge held over all of the assets of a company not subject to a valid fixed charge. Such assets can be used in the ordinary course of business and include, stock, office equipment, motor vehicles.

A formal agreement between the debtor (not a company) and his creditors administered by a licensed insolvency practitioner usually in full and final settlement of all debts.

The Official Receiver or licensed insolvency practitioner appointed to act as liquidator of a company or partnership.

A civil servant working for the Department of Trade and Industry who deals with the affairs of a company in liquidation.

If a creditor cannot attend the meeting of creditors themselves and wishes to appoint someone to represent them, they must fill in this form and return it to the convener of the meeting.

A guarantee of payment given by someone, more often than not a director of a company, in respect of a company’s liability(ies).

A form to be completed by creditors, in all insolvency procedures, which details the basis on which they are owed monies.

If a creditor cannot attend the meeting of creditors themselves and wishes to appoint someone to represent them, they must fill in this form and return it to the convener of the meeting.

A creditor who holds security over the assets of the company, normally in the form of a charge or debenture. Secured creditors do not normally vote at meetings of creditors, choosing instead to rely on their security.

This is a document which has to be verified by Affidavit, completed by the company’s director[s], which gives details of all of the company’s assets and liabilities and creditors.

The licensed insolvency practitioner appointed by either the Official Receiver, or the creditors, to deal with the affairs of the bankrupt.

A creditor who does not hold security (such as a mortgage) for money owed. Noted unsecured creditors are HMRC and general suppliers.

An order of the court for the compulsory winding up of a company or partnership. See compulsory winding up above.