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Number 27 of 1988
BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1988
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Application of Act to subsisting bankruptcies and arrangements. | |
Procedure in Bankruptcy
Petition or act of bankruptcy agreed between bankrupt and creditor. | |
Partnership Cases
Composition after Bankruptcy
Bankrupt Dying after Adjudication
Subsequent Bankruptcy
Administration of Property
Effect of Adjudication on Bankrupt's Property
Vesting in Official Assignee of certain money and securities. | |
Limitation of Official Assignee's powers in relation to copyright. | |
Discharge of persons delivering property, etc., to Official Assignee. | |
Fraudulent and Voluntary Conveyances
Management Provisions
Distribution of Estate
Arrangements under Control of Court
Winding up by Trustee
Estates of Persons Dying Insolvent
Petition to administer in bankruptcy estate of person dying insolvent. | |
Effect on personal representative of service of notice of petition. | |
Offences
Miscellaneous
Proof of Debts
Repeals
Acts Referred to | |
1954, No. 26 | |
1967, No. 9 | |
Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872 | 1872, c. 58 |
1971, No. 24 | |
1961, No. 41 | |
1964, No. 17 | |
1961, No. 39 | |
1967, No. 12 | |
Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887 | 1887, c. 57 |
1940, No. 23 | |
Factors Act, 1889 | 1889, c. 45 |
Fines and Recoveries (Ireland) Act, 1834 | 1834, c. 92 |
Friendly Societies Act, 1896 | 1896, c. 25 |
Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 | 1857, c. 60 |
Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850 | 1850, c. 29 |
1933, No. 36 | |
Partnership Act, 1890 | 1890, c. 39 |
Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889 | 1889, c. 60 |
1957, No. 6 | |
Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) (No. 2) Act, 1897 | 1897, c. 66 |
Trustee Savings Banks Act, 1863 | 1863, c. 87 |
Marginal Abbreviations
1857—Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857
1872, c. 57—Debtors Act (Ireland), 1872
1872—Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872
1887, c. 57—Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887
1888, c. 44—Local Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1888
1889—Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889
1890, c. 24—Deeds of Arrangement Amendment Act, 1890
33/1963—Companies Act, 1963
16/1964—Registration of Title Act, 1964
27/1965—Succession Act, 1965
36/1971—Courts Act, 1971
RSC—The Rules of the Superior Courts, 1962
LCR—Local Court Rules, 1888
Number 27 of 1988
BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1988
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Bankruptcy Act, 1988.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation on such day not later than 1 January, 1989 as the Minister by order appoints.
Interpretation.
3.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
“adjudication” means adjudication in bankruptcy;
“after-acquired property” has the meaning assigned to it by section 44 (5);
“arrangement” means an arrangement in pursuance of an order for protection under Part IV;
“arranging debtor” means a debtor who has been granted an order for protection under Part IV;
“assignees” means the Official Assignee and the creditors' assignee, if any;
“the Bankruptcy Inspector” means the inspector referred to in section 60 (2);
“bankruptcy summons” has the meaning assigned to it by section 8 (1);
“conveyance”, in relation to land, includes assignment and transfer;
“the Court” means the High Court;
“creditors' assignee” means a person chosen and appointed as such under section 18 (1);
“land” includes any estate or interest in or charge over land;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice;
“the Official Assignee” means the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy for the time being and his successors as and when appointed;
“prescribed”, except in relation to court fees, means prescribed by rules of court;
“property” includes money, goods, things in action, land and every description of property, whether real or personal and whether situate in the State or elsewhere; also obligations, easements, and every description of estate, interest, and profit, present or future, vested or contingent, arising out of or incident to property as above defined;
“registered”, in relation to land, means registered in the Registry of Deeds or the Land Registry, as may be appropriate;
“secured creditor” means any creditor holding any mortgage, charge or lien on the debtor's estate or any part thereof as security for a debt due to him;
“vesting arrangement” has the meaning assigned to it by section 93 (2).
Application of Act to subsisting bankruptcies and arrangements.
4.—(1) Save where otherwise provided in this Act, a bankruptcy or arrangement subsisting at the commencement of this Act shall thereafter be administered according to the provisions of this Act and the rules thereunder, without prejudice to the validity of anything duly done or suffered before such commencement.
(2) The provisions of this Act and the rules shall apply accordingly, so far as they are capable of application and subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be appropriate, as if the bankrupt had been adjudicated or the arranging debtor had been granted an order for protection under this Act.
Expenses.
5.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeals.
6.—(1) The enactments mentioned in the Second Schedule are hereby repealed to the extent mentioned in the third column of that Schedule.
(2) Any petition, summons, subpoena, order, direction, notice or other instrument presented, served, made or issued under a repealed enactment and in force at the commencement of this Act shall continue in force and be treated thereafter as if it had been presented, served, made or issued under this Act.
PART II
Procedure in Bankruptcy
Acts of bankruptcy.
(1872, s. 21 in pt.)
7.—(1) An individual (in this Act called a “debtor”) commits an act of bankruptcy in each of the following cases—
(a) if in the State or elsewhere he makes a conveyance or assignment of all or substantially all of his property to a trustee or trustees for the benefit of his creditors generally;
(b) if in the State or elsewhere he makes a fraudulent conveyance, gift, delivery or transfer of his property or any part thereof;
(c) if in the State or elsewhere he makes any conveyance or transfer of his property or any part thereof, or creates any charge thereon, which would under this or any other Act be void as a fraudulent preference if he were adjudicated bankrupt;
(d) if with intent to defeat or delay his creditors he leaves the State or being out of the State remains out of the State or departs from his dwelling-house or otherwise absents himself or evades his creditors;
(e) if he files in the Court a declaration of insolvency;
(f) if execution against him has been levied by the seizure of his goods under an order of any court or if a return of no goods has been made by the sheriff or county registrar whether by endorsement on the order or otherwise;
(g) if the creditor presenting a petition has served upon the debtor in the prescribed manner a bankruptcy summons, and he does not within fourteen days after service of the summons pay the sum referred to in the summons or secure or compound for it to the satisfaction of the creditor.
(2) A debtor also commits an act of bankruptcy if he fails to comply with a debtor's summons served pursuant to section 21 (6) of the Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872, within the appropriate time thereunder, and section 8 (6) of this Act shall apply to such debtor's summons.
(3) This section applies, so far as it is capable of application, in relation to acts and things and omissions and failures to do acts and things whether occurring before, or partly before and partly after or wholly after, the commencement of this Act.
Bankruptcy summons.
(New: cf. 1872, s. 30 in pt.)
8.—(1) A summons (in this Act referred to as a “bankruptcy summons”) may be granted by the Court to a person (in this section referred to as “the creditor”) who proves that—
(a) a debt of £1,500 or more is due to him by the person against whom the summons is sought,
(b) the debt is a liquidated sum, and
(c) a notice in the prescribed form, requiring payment of the debt, has been served on the debtor.
(2) A bankruptcy summons may be granted to two or more creditors who are not partners and whose debts amount together to £1,000 or more. In such a case, to comply with the requisitions contained in the summons a debtor must pay or compound for the debts or give security for them to all the creditors who are parties to the summons, unless they otherwise agree.
(3) The notice requiring payment of the debt shall set out the particulars of the debt due and shall require payment within four days after service thereof on the debtor.
(4) The bankruptcy summons shall be in the prescribed form.
(5) A debtor served with a bankruptcy summons may apply to the Court in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time to dismiss the summons.
(6) The Court—
(a) may dismiss the summons with or without costs, and
(b) shall dismiss the summons if satisfied that an issue would arise for trial.
Arrest of absconding debtor.
(1872, ss. 78, 79 and 80)
9.—(1) Where, after a bankruptcy summons has been granted against a debtor and before a petition to adjudicate him bankrupt can be presented against him, it appears to the Court that there is probable cause for believing that he is about to leave the State or to otherwise abscond with a view to avoiding payment of the debt for which the bankruptcy summons was issued or avoiding examination in respect of his affairs or otherwise avoiding or delaying proceedings in bankruptcy, the Court may cause such debtor to be arrested and brought before the Court.
(2) No arrest under this section shall be lawful unless the debtor, before or at the time of his arrest, is served with the bankruptcy summons.
(3) On the debtor offering such security, or making such payment or composition as the Court thinks reasonable, he shall be discharged from custody unless the Court otherwise orders.
(4) Any such security, payment or composition shall not be exempt from the provisions of this Act relating to fraudulent preferences.
Petition.
(1857, s. 116 in pt.)
10.—An application for adjudication shall be by petition verified by the affidavit of the petitioner.
Presenting petition.
(1872, s. 20)
11.—(1) A creditor shall be entitled to present a petition for adjudication against a debtor if—
(a) the debt owing by the debtor to the petitioning creditor (or, if two or more creditors join in presenting the petition, the aggregate amount of debts owing to them) amounts to £1,500 or more,
(1872, s. 21 in pt.)
(b) the debt is a liquidated sum,
(cf. 1857, s. 115)
(c) the act of bankruptcy on which the petition is founded has occurred within three months before the presentation of the petition, and
(New: cf. 1857, s. 409)
(d) the debtor (whether a citizen or not) is domiciled in the State or, within a year before the date of the presentation of the petition, has ordinarily resided or had a dwelling-house or place of business in the State or has carried on business in the State personally or by means of an agent or manager, or is or within the said period has been a member of a partnership which has carried on business in the State by means of a partner, agent or manager.
(1872, s. 21 in pt.)
(2) If a creditor who presents or joins in presenting the petition is a secured creditor, he shall in his petition set out particulars of his security and shall either state that he is willing to give up his security for the benefit of the creditors in the event of the debtor being adjudicated bankrupt or give an estimate of the value of his security. Where a secured creditor gives an estimate of the value of his security, he may be admitted as a petitioning creditor or joint petitioning creditor to the extent of the balance of the debt due to him after deducting the value so estimated in the same manner as if he were an unsecured creditor but he shall on application being made by the Official Assignee after the date of adjudication give up his security to the Official Assignee for the benefit of the creditors upon payment of such estimated value.
(1857, s. 120)
(3) Any debtor may petition for adjudication against himself.
Petitioning creditor's costs.
(1857, s. 135)
12.—The petitioning creditor shall at his own cost present his petition and prosecute it until the statutory sitting referred to in section 17 (3), and the Court shall at or after the sitting make an order for the payment of such costs out of the estate of the bankrupt in course of priority to be settled by rules of court.
Petition or act of bankruptcy agreed between bankrupt and creditor.
(1857, s. 136)
13.—No petition for adjudication shall be dismissed or adjudication annulled by reason only that the petition or act of bankruptcy has been concerted or agreed upon between the bankrupt or his solicitor and any creditor or other person.
Adjudication: creditor's petition.
(1857, s. 127 in pt.)
14.—(1) Where the petition is presented by a creditor, the Court shall, if satisfied that the requirements of section 11 (1) have been complied with, by order adjudicate the debtor bankrupt.
(1857, s. 129 in pt.; 36/1971, s. 23 (1))
(2) A copy of the order shall be served on the debtor, either personally or by leaving it at his residence or place of business in the State.
Adjudication: debtor's petition.
(RSC, 0.76, r. 37)
15.—Where the petition is presented by a debtor, the Court shall, on proof that he is unable to meet his engagements with his creditors and that his available estate is sufficient to realise at least £1,500, by order adjudicate the debtor bankrupt.
Cause shown against adjudication.
(cf. 1857, s. 129)
16.—(1) The bankrupt may, within three days or such extended time not exceeding fourteen days as the Court thinks fit from the service of the copy of the order of adjudication on him, show cause to the Court against the validity of the adjudication.
(2) On an application to show cause under subsection (1) the Court shall, if within such time the bankrupt shows to its satisfaction that any of the requirements of section 11 (1) have not been complied with, annul the adjudication and may, in any other case, dismiss the application or adjourn it on such conditions as the Court thinks fit, having regard to the interests of the bankrupt, his creditors and any persons who might advance further credit to him.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the immediate seizure of the goods of the bankrupt on his adjudication.
Notice of adjudication and statutory sitting.
(1857, ss. 129, 130 in pt., cf. s. 353)
17.—(1) This section shall have effect—
(a) in the case of a creditor's petition where cause has not been shown to the satisfaction of the Court for annulling the adjudication within the time for showing cause, on the expiration of that time;
(b) in the case of a debtor's petition under section 15 or the adjudication of an arranging debtor under section 105, on adjudication.
(2) The Court shall cause notice of the adjudication to be given as soon as may be in the prescribed manner in Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one daily newspaper in circulation in the area where the bankrupt resides.
(3) The Court shall appoint a statutory sitting to be held within three weeks of the publication of the notice at which the bankrupt shall attend and make full disclosure of his property to the Court, and his creditors may prove their debts and choose and appoint a creditors' assignee.
(4) The Court, on adjourning an application to show cause under section 16 (1), may stay publication of notice of the adjudication on security being given by the bankrupt or on such other conditions as the Court thinks fit.
Creditors' assignee.
(1857, ss. 64, 265)
18.—(1) At the statutory sitting referred to in section 17 (3) the creditors may choose and appoint a person (in this Act referred to as the “creditors' assignee”) to represent them in the administration of the bankrupt's estate.
(2) All creditors shall be entitled to vote in such choice in person or by an agent authorised in writing in that behalf, and the choice and appointment shall be made by the major part in value of the creditors.
(3) The Court may reject any person so chosen who appears to the Court unfit to be a creditors' assignee or may remove a creditors' assignee and in the event of a vacancy, however arising, a new choice and appointment may be made in like manner.
(4) For the purposes of appointing a creditors' assignee a creditor may prove his debt.
Duties of bankrupt.
(1857, s. 132 in pt.)
19.—The bankrupt shall—
(a) unless the Court otherwise directs, forthwith deliver up to the Official Assignee such books of account or other papers relating to his estate in his possession or control as the Official Assignee may from time to time request and disclose to him such of them as are in the possession or control of any other person;
(b) deliver up possession of any part of his property which is divisible among his creditors under this Act, and which is for the time being in his possession or control, to the Official Assignee or any person authorised by the Court or otherwise under the provisions of this Act to take possession of it;
(c) unless the Court otherwise directs, within the prescribed time file in the Central Office a statement of affairs in the prescribed form and deliver a copy thereof to the Official Assignee;
(d) give every reasonable assistance to the Official Assignee in the administration of the estate;
(e) disclose to the Official Assignee any after-acquired property.
Change of name or address, etc.
(New)
20.—(1) A bankrupt shall forthwith notify the Official Assignee in writing of any change in his name or address which occurs during his bankruptcy.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) a change in the name of a bankrupt shall be deemed to occur if the bankrupt in fact assumes the use of a different name or an additional name.
(3) A bankrupt shall, whenever required by the Official Assignee to do so, forthwith notify the Official Assignee in writing of the nature of any profession, vocation, business or employment in which he is engaged.
(4) A bankrupt who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
Examination of bankrupt and other persons.
(1857, ss. 305 in pt., 306, 307, 308, 310; cf. 33/1963, s. 245)
21.—(1) The Court may summon before it a bankrupt or any person who is known or suspected to have in his possession or control any property of the bankrupt or to have disposed of any property of the bankrupt or who is supposed to be indebted to the bankrupt, or any person whom the Court deems capable of giving information relating to the trade, dealings, affairs or property of the bankrupt.
(2) The Court may examine him on oath concerning the matters aforesaid, either orally or on written interrogatories, and may reduce his answers to writing and require him to sign them.
(3) The Court may require him to produce any books of account and papers in his possession or control relating to the matters aforesaid but, where he claims any lien on books or papers produced by him, the production shall be without prejudice to that lien and the Court may determine all questions in relation to the lien.
(4) A bankrupt or other person who is examined under this section shall not be entitled to refuse to answer any question put to him on the ground that his answer might incriminate him but none of his answers shall be admissible in evidence against him in any other proceedings, civil or criminal, except in the case of any criminal proceedings for perjury in respect of any such answer.
Admission of debt due to bankrupt.
(cf. 1857, s. 311)
22.—If any person on examination appears to be indebted to the bankrupt or to have in his possession or control any property of the bankrupt, the Court, on the application of the Official Assignee, may order him to pay to the Official Assignee, at such time and in such manner as the Court thinks fit, the amount or any part thereof or to deliver to the Official Assignee such property or any part thereof at such time and in such manner and on such terms as the Court may direct.
Arrest of bankrupt, etc.
(cf. 1857, ss. 124, 125)
23.—(1) Where it appears to the Court, at any time after making an adjudication order, on proof of probable cause for believing that a bankrupt is about to leave the State or otherwise to abscond or has removed or concealed or is about to remove or conceal any of his property with a view to avoiding payment of his debts or avoiding examination in respect of his affairs, or is keeping out of the way and cannot be served with a summons, the Court may cause him to be arrested and brought before it for examination.
(cf. 1857, s. 305 in pt.)
(2) Where a bankrupt has been summoned before the Court pursuant to section 21 and he does not come at the time appointed, not having an excuse (made known to the Court at the time of its sitting and allowed by it) the Court may cause him to be arrested and brought before it for examination.
(cf. 1857, s. 308 in pt.)
(3) Where any person summoned before the Court pursuant to section 21 after being tendered a reasonable sum for his expenses, does not come at the time appointed, not having an excuse (made known to the Court at the time of its sitting and allowed by it), the Court may cause him to be arrested and brought before it for examination.
(4) The provisions of subsections (2) and (3) are without prejudice to the powers of the Court in relation to contempt or enforcement of the attendance of witnesses.
Committal to prison.
(1857, s. 385)
24.—Where the bankrupt or any person summoned or brought before the Court refuses to be sworn or refuses or fails to answer any lawful question put by the Court or does not fully answer any such question or refuses to sign and subscribe his examination when reduced to writing (not having any lawful excuse allowed by the Court) or to comply with any order of the Court under this Act, the Court may order that such person be committed to prison to await the further order of the Court.
Examination of persons in custody.
(1872, s. 73)
25.—Where the bankrupt or any person is in prison pursuant to an order of the Court under section 24, the Court may by warrant directed to the governor of the prison order that he be brought before the Court. Where such person satisfies the Court that he has complied with its lawful requirements the Court shall order his release from custody. In any other case he may be taken back to prison without any further order.
Release of bankrupt from prison.
(New)
26.—If a bankrupt is in prison by virtue of section 6 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, in respect of a debt incurred before adjudication, the Court may order his release.
Warrant of seizure.
(1857, s. 72 in pt.)
27.—(1) The Court may by warrant direct the Bankruptcy Inspector or any of his assistants to seize any property of the bankrupt.
(2) An official acting under the warrant may seize any part of the bankrupt's property in the possession or control of the bankrupt and, for the purpose of seizing any such property, may enter and if necessary break open any house, building, room or other place belonging to the bankrupt where any part of his property is believed to be.
Search warrant.
(cf. 1857, s. 326)
28.—Where it appears to the Court that there is reason to believe that any property of the bankrupt is concealed in any house, building, room or other place not belonging to the bankrupt, the Court may grant a search warrant to the Bankruptcy Inspector or any of his assistants, or other person appointed by the Court, who may execute the warrant according to the tenor thereof.
Indemnity for persons acting under warrant.
(1857, s. 327)
29.—The Bankruptcy Inspector or his assistants or other person appointed by the Court shall not be liable for anything done bona fide pursuant to any warrant of the Court.
Actions by Official Assignee and bankrupt's partners.
(cf. 1857, s. 278)
30.—Where a member of a partnership is adjudicated bankrupt the Court may authorise the Official Assignee to commence and prosecute any action in the names of the Official Assignee and of the bankrupt's partner to recover any debt due to or any property of the partners, and any release by such partner of the debt or demand to which the action relates shall be void; but notice of the application for authority to commence the action shall be given to the bankrupt's partner and he may show cause against it and on his application the Court may, if it thinks fit, direct that he shall receive his proper share of the proceeds of the action. If the partner does not claim any benefit from the action he shall be indemnified against costs in respect thereof as the Court directs.
Petition against one or more partners.
(cf. 1857, s. 122)
31.—(1) Any creditor whose debt is sufficient to entitle him to present a petition for adjudication against all the partners of a firm may present a petition against any one or more partners of the firm without including the others.
(2) Where a petition for adjudication is presented against more than one person the Court may make an order of adjudication against one or more of them and dismiss the petition as to the remainder.
Furnishing of partnership accounts to Official Assignee.
(New)
32.—Where a member of a partnership is adjudicated bankrupt the Official Assignee may require the other partner or partners to deliver to the Official Assignee such accounts and information relating to the partnership estate and the bankrupt's interest therein (duly verified by affidavit if necessary) as the Official Assignee may deem necessary.
Duty of bankrupt partner.
(New)
33.—Where a member of a partnership is adjudicated bankrupt he shall deliver to the Official Assignee within the prescribed time a separate statement of affairs in respect of the partnership in the prescribed form.
Joint and separate properties.
(New)
34.—(1) In the case of partners the joint property shall be applicable in the first instance in payment of their joint debts, and the separate property of each partner shall be applicable in the first instance in payment of his separate debts.
(2) Where there is a surplus of the joint property, it shall be dealt with as part of the respective separate properties in proportion to the right and interest of each partner in the joint property.
(3) Where there is a surplus of any separate property it shall be dealt with as part of the joint property so far as necessary to meet any deficiency in the joint property.
Actions on joint contracts.
(New)
35.—Where a bankrupt is a party to a contract jointly with any other person, that other person may sue or be sued in respect of the contract without joining the bankrupt.
Proceedings in partnership name.
(New)
36.—(1) Any two or more persons, being partners, or any person carrying on business under a partnership name, may take proceedings or be proceeded against under this Act in the name of the firm, but in such case the Court may, on application by any person interested, order the names of the persons to be disclosed in such manner, and verified on oath or otherwise, as the Court may direct.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1) no order of adjudication shall be made against a firm in the firm name but it shall be made against the partners individually with the addition of the firm name.
Limited partnerships.
(33/1963, s. 345 (8))
37.—Subject to such modifications as may be made by rules of court, the provisions of this Act shall apply to limited partnerships in like manner as if limited partnerships were ordinary partnerships and, on all the general partners of a limited partnership being adjudicated bankrupt, the assets of the limited partnership shall vest in the Official Assignee.
Composition after Bankruptcy
Stay on realisation of estate.
(New)
38.—The Court may, on the application of a bankrupt, grant a stay on the realisation of his estate, for such time and under such conditions as it thinks fit, to enable him or any persons acting on his behalf to make an offer of composition to his creditors under section 39.
Offer of composition.
(cf. 1857, ss. 149, 150 in pt.; 1872, s. 61)
39.—(1) Where a stay on the realisation of the estate of a bankrupt has been granted under section 38, the bankrupt shall call a meeting of his creditors before the Court for the purpose of making an offer of composition to them.
(2) At least ten days before the meeting a notice of the meeting specifying the precise offer of composition to be made shall be inserted in Iris Oifigiúil and shall also be sent by post to each creditor at his last known address.
(3) If an offer of composition is made by or on behalf of the bankrupt and three-fifths in number and value of the creditors voting at the meeting, either in person or by an agent authorised in writing in that behalf, accept the offer or any modification of it, it shall be deemed to be accepted, and when approved by the Court shall be binding on all creditors of the bankrupt.
(4) A creditor whose debt is less than £100 shall not be entitled to vote.
(5) If for any reason the bankrupt has not filed a statement of his affairs as required by section 19 (c), he shall do so at or before the meeting.
(6) Debts may be proved at the meeting.
Payment of composition.
(New)
40.—(1) Any composition shall be payable—
(a) in cash, within one month from the approval by the Court of the offer of composition or within such further time as the Court may allow, or
(b) by instalments, all of which shall be secured to the satisfaction of the creditors, or
(c) partly in cash and partly by instalments payable or secured as aforesaid.
(2) In no case shall any instalment be secured by a bill, note or other security signed by or enforceable against the bankrupt alone.
(3) The Court shall have discretion to refuse to approve of an offer payable wholly or partly by instalments if the final instalment is not payable within two years.
Discharge of adjudication order.
(New)
41.—The Court, on the application of the bankrupt or his personal representatives, shall, on the report of the Official Assignee and in the absence of fraud, discharge the adjudication order—
(a) in the case of a composition payable in cash, upon lodgment with the Official Assignee of the necessary amount to pay the composition, expenses, fees, costs, such further sums as the Court may direct and the preferential payments;
(b) in the case of a composition payable by instalments which are secured to the satisfaction of the creditors, upon lodgment with the Official Assignee of the completed bills, notes or other securities, the necessary amount to pay expenses, fees, costs, such further sums as the Court may direct and the preferential payments;
(c) in the case of a composition payable partly in cash and partly by instalments which are secured to the satisfaction of the creditors, upon lodgment with the Official Assignee of the completed bills, notes or other securities, the necessary amount to pay the cash composition, expenses, fees, costs, such further sums as the Court may direct and the preferential payments.
Bankrupt Dying after Adjudication
Bankrupt dying after adjudication.
(1857, s. 137)
42.—If a bankrupt dies the Court may proceed in the bankruptcy as if he were living.
Subsequent Bankruptcy
Subsequent bankruptcy.
(New)
43.—(1) Where a bankrupt is again adjudicated, all after-acquired property unclaimed by the Official Assignee at the date of the subsequent bankruptcy shall, if claimed by the Official Assignee, vest in him for the credit of the subsequent bankruptcy.
(2) Any after-acquired property or the proceeds thereof in the possession of the Official Assignee at the date of the subsequent bankruptcy shall be transferred by the Official Assignee (after deducting his costs and expenses) to the credit of the subsequent bankruptcy.
(3) Any surplus arising on the subsequent bankruptcy shall be transferred to the credit of the former bankruptcy.
PART III
Administration of Property
Effect of Adjudication on Bankrupt's Property
Vesting of property in Official Assignee.
(1857, ss. 267, 268, 273)
44.—(1) Where a person is adjudicated bankrupt, then, subject to the provisions of this Act, all property belonging to that person shall on the date of adjudication vest in the Official Assignee for the benefit of the creditors of the bankrupt.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the title of the Official Assignee to any property which vests in him by virtue of subsection (1) shall not commence at any date earlier than the date of adjudication.
(3) The property to which subsection (1) applies includes—
(a) all powers vested in the bankrupt which he might legally exercise in relation to any property immediately before the date of adjudication;
(b) all property which was the subject of any conveyance or transfer which sections 57, 58 and 59 declare void as against the Official Assignee, subject to the rights of any persons which are preserved by those sections.
(4) The property to which subsection (1) applies does not include—
(a) property held by the bankrupt in trust for any other person, or
(b) any sum which vests in the Official Assignee under section 7 (1) (a) of the Auctioneers and House Agents Act, 1967, or section 30 (i) of the Central Bank Act, 1971.
(5) Without prejudice to any existing principle or rule of law or equity, established practice or procedure in relation to damages or compensation recovered or recoverable by a bankrupt for personal injury or loss suffered by him, property which is acquired by or devolves on a bankrupt before the discharge or annulment of the adjudication order (in this Act called “after-acquired property”) shall vest in the Official Assignee if and when he claims it.
Excepted articles.
(1857, ss. 298, 299)
45.—(1) A bankrupt shall be entitled to retain, as excepted articles, such articles of clothing, household furniture, bedding, tools or equipment of his trade or occupation or other like necessaries for himself, his wife, children and dependent relatives residing with him, as he may select, not exceeding in value £2,500 or such further amount as the Court on an application by the bankrupt may allow.
(2) Where a bankrupt, after selecting the items constituting the excepted articles, requests the Official Assignee, in writing, not to dispose of the remainder of any such articles as are referred to in subsection (1) the Official Assignee shall not dispose thereof except in accordance with an order of the Court.
(3) The Court may, on the application of the bankrupt or the Official Assignee, in relation to the remainder of such articles—
(a) postpone the removal and sale thereof;
(b) permit them to remain in the use of the bankrupt;
(c) at any time, order them to be taken by or on behalf of the Official Assignee and to be sold for the benefit of the creditors.
Certificate of vesting of property in Official Assignee.
(cf. 1857, s. 269)
46.—(1) Where, according to law, any conveyance of land is required to be registered and such land vests in the Official Assignee under this Part, a certificate under the seal of the Court shall be issued to him as evidence of the vesting and he shall cause the certificate to be registered as soon as may be as if it were a conveyance, and registration of the certificate shall have the like effect to all intents and purposes as registration of a conveyance would have had.
(2) The title of any purchaser of any such land for valuable consideration, in good faith and without notice of the adjudication, who had duly registered the conveyance before the registration of the certificate shall not be invalidated by reason of the adjudication unless the certificate is registered within two months after the date of the adjudication.
Vesting in Official Assignee of certain money and securities.
(New)
47.—Notwithstanding any provision in any other enactment—
(a) money in the Post Office Savings Bank or in a trustee savings bank to which a bankrupt is entitled, or
(b) securities issued through An Post by the Minister for Finance under his statutory borrowing powers and to which a bankrupt is entitled,
shall, on the adjudication of the bankrupt, vest in the Official Assignee in the same manner as any other property.
Limitation of Official Assignee's powers in relation to copyright.
(New)
48.—Where the property of a bankrupt comprises the copyright in any work or any interest in such copyright and he is liable to pay to the author royalties or a share of the profits in respect thereof—
(a) the Official Assignee shall not be entitled to sell or authorise the sale of any copies of the work, or to perform or authorise the performance of the work, except on the terms of paying to the author such sums by way of royalty or share of the profits as would have been payable by the bankrupt, and
(b) he shall not be entitled to assign the right or transfer the interest or to grant any interest in the right by licence, except with the consent of the author or of the Court and upon terms which will secure to the author payments by way of royalty or share of the profits at a rate not less than that which the bankrupt was liable to pay.
Restrictive clause in agreement or lease.
(New)
49.—(1) Every covenant or provision for forfeiture of a lease on the bankruptcy of the lessee shall be void as against the Official Assignee.
(2) A clause in a hire purchase agreement which purports to terminate the agreement on the bankruptcy of the hirer shall be void as against the Official Assignee.
Execution against debtor's property before adjudication.
(cf. 1872, s. 54)
50.—(1) Where goods or a leasehold interest in land belonging to a debtor have been seized under an execution order and sold, or where money has been paid in part or full satisfaction of the execution either to the sheriff or county registrar or to the execution creditor in order to avoid seizure or sale under such execution, the sheriff, county registrar or execution creditor shall retain the proceeds of sale or the money so paid, for a period of twenty-one days.
(2) If within that period the sheriff, county registrar or execution creditor receives notice of the adjudication of the debtor, he shall surrender the property, or pay over the proceeds of sale thereof or any money paid in satisfaction of the execution, to the Official Assignee who shall be entitled to retain the property, proceeds or money, as the case may be, as against the execution creditor.
(3) An execution levied by seizure of any such property belonging to the debtor shall not be invalid by reason only of its being an act of bankruptcy and a person who purchases the property in good faith under a sale by the sheriff or county registrar shall, as against the Official Assignee, acquire a good title thereto.
(4) Where a sheriff or county registrar, without notice of the adjudication of the debtor, pays the proceeds of sale or other money retained by him pursuant to subsection (1) to the execution creditor after the expiration of twenty-one days, he shall not be liable to the Official Assignee in respect of the payment.
(5) Where property is surrendered or proceeds of sale or other money paid over to the Official Assignee, the costs of the execution shall be a first charge thereon and the Official Assignee may sell the whole or part of the property for the purpose of satisfying the charge.
Priority of judgment mortgage.
(1857, s. 331)
51.—(1) A judgment creditor who registers an affidavit of his judgment in accordance with sections 6 and 7 of the Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850, shall not, by reason of such registration, be entitled to any priority or preference over simple contract creditors in the event of the person against whom such affidavit is registered being adjudicated bankrupt, unless the affidavit is registered at least three months before the date of the adjudication.
(2) The reference in section 284 (2) of the Companies Act, 1963, to section 331 of the Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 (repealed by this Act) shall be construed as a reference to subsection (1) and accordingly the reference in the said section 284 (2) to the filing of the petition shall be read as a reference to the date of the adjudication.
Order to put purchaser in possession.
(1872, s. 75)
52.—Where land belonging to a bankrupt or arranging debtor has been sold under the provisions of this Act or by or under the direction of the Court, the Court may, on the application of the purchaser, issue an order directing the appropriate sheriff or county registrar to put the purchaser into possession of all the land not in the occupation of lessees, under-lessees or tenants, subject to whose interests the sale has been made and who have attorned to the purchaser within a time to be limited in the order, and the order shall be executed in like manner as an order for the delivery of possession.
Permission to mortgagee to bid at sale.
(1857, s. 316)
53.—The mortgagee of any property of a bankrupt or arranging debtor may, with the leave of the Court, bid and purchase at the sale of the property.
Discharge of persons delivering property, etc., to Official Assignee.
(cf. 1857, s.281)
54.—A person—
(a) from whom the Official Assignee recovers any property of a bankrupt, or
(b) who, without legal proceedings, in good faith delivers up to the Official Assignee possession of any such property, or
(c) who pays any debt owed to a bankrupt and claimed by the Official Assignee,
shall, notwithstanding that the adjudication is subsequently annulled or discharged, be released from all claims by the bankrupt in respect of such property or debt.
Title to property sold not to be invalidated.
(1857, s. 323)
55.—The title to any property sold in bankruptcy shall not be invalidated by the bankrupt or any person claiming under him by reason only of any defect in any proceedings under this Act.
Disclaimer of onerous property.
(1872, ss. 97 and 98; 33/1963, s. 290)
56.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (5), where any of the property (other than after-acquired property) of a bankrupt consists of land of any tenure burdened with onerous covenants, of shares or stock in companies, of unprofitable contracts, or of any other property which is unsaleable or not readily saleable by reason of its binding the possessor thereof to the performance of any onerous act or to the payment of any sum of money, the Official Assignee, notwithstanding that he has endeavoured to sell or has taken possession of the property or exercised any act of ownership in relation thereto, may, with the leave of the Court and subject to the provisions of this section, by writing signed by him, at any time within twelve months after the date of adjudication or such extended period as may be allowed by the Court, disclaim the property.
(2) Where any such property as aforesaid has not come to the knowledge of the Official Assignee within one month after the date of the adjudication, the power under this section of disclaiming the property may be exercised at any time within twelve months after he has become aware thereof or such extended period as may be allowed by the Court.
(3) The disclaimer shall operate to determine, as from the date of disclaimer, the rights, interests and liabilities of the bankrupt and his property in or in respect of the property disclaimed, and shall also discharge the Official Assignee from all personal liability in respect of the property disclaimed as from the date when the property vested in him, but shall not, except so far as is necessary for the purpose of releasing the bankrupt and his property and the Official Assignee from liability, affect the rights or liabilities of any other person.
(4) The Court, before or on granting leave to disclaim, may require the Official Assignee to give such notices to persons interested and impose such terms as a condition of granting leave, and make such other order in the matter as the Court thinks just.
(5) The Official Assignee shall not be entitled to disclaim any property under this section in any case where an application in writing has been made to him by any persons interested in the property requiring him to decide whether he will or will not disclaim, and the Official Assignee has not, within a period of twenty-eight days after the receipt of the application or such further period as may be allowed by the Court, given notice to the applicant that he intends to apply to the Court for leave to disclaim; and, in the case of a contract, if the Official Assignee, after such application as aforesaid, does not within the said period or extended period disclaim the contract, he shall be deemed to have adopted it.
(6) The Court may, on the application of any person who is, as against the Official Assignee, entitled to the benefit or subject to the burden of a contract made with the bankrupt, make an order rescinding the contract on such terms as to payment by or to either party of damages for the non-performance of the contract, or otherwise as the Court thinks just, and any damages payable under the order to any such person shall be deemed to be a debt proved and admitted in the bankruptcy.
(7) Subject to subsection (8), the Court may, on an application by any person who either claims any interest in any disclaimed property or is under any liability not discharged by this Act in respect of any disclaimed property and on hearing any such persons as it thinks fit, make an order for the vesting of the property in or the delivery of the property to any person entitled thereto, or to whom it may seem just that the property should be delivered by way of compensation for such liability as aforesaid, or a trustee for him, and on such terms as the Court may think just, and on any such vesting order being made, the property comprised therein shall vest accordingly in the person therein named in that behalf without any conveyance or assignment for the purpose.
(8) Where the property disclaimed is of a leasehold nature, the Court shall not make a vesting order in favour of any person claiming under the bankrupt, whether as under-lessee or as mortgagee by demise, except upon the terms of making that person—
(a) subject to the same liabilities and obligations as those to which the bankrupt was subject under the lease in respect of the property at the date of the adjudication; or
(b) if the Court thinks fit, subject only to the same liabilities and obligations as if the lease had been assigned to that person at that date;
and in either event (if the case so requires), as if the lease had comprised only the property comprised in the vesting order, and any mortgagee or under-lessee declining to accept a vesting order upon such terms shall be excluded from all interest in and security upon the property and, if there is no person claiming under the bankrupt who is willing to accept an order upon such terms, the Court shall have power to vest the estate and interest of the bankrupt in the property in any person liable either personally or in a representative character, and either alone or jointly with the bankrupt, to perform the lessee's covenants in the lease, freed and discharged from all estates, encumbrances and interests created therein by the bankrupt.
(9) Any person damaged by the operation of a disclaimer under this section shall be deemed to be a creditor of the bankrupt to the amount of the damages, and may accordingly prove the amount as a debt in the bankruptcy.
Fraudulent and Voluntary Conveyances
Avoidance of fraudulent preferences.
(1872, s. 53; 33/1963, sch. 11, para. 1.)
57.—(1) Every conveyance or transfer of property or charge made thereon, every payment made, every obligation incurred and every judicial proceeding taken or suffered by any person unable to pay his debts as they become due from his own money in favour of any creditor or of any person in trust for any creditor, with a view to giving such creditor, or any surety or guarantor for the debt due to such creditor, a preference over the other creditors, shall, if the person making, incurring, taking or suffering the same is adjudicated bankrupt within six months after the date of making, incurring, taking or suffering the same, be deemed fraudulent and void as against the Official Assignee; but this section shall not affect the rights of any person making title in good faith and for valuable consideration through or under a creditor of the bankrupt.
(2) (a) Where a person is adjudicated bankrupt and anything made or done is void under subsection (1) or was void under the corresponding provisions of the law in force immediately before the commencement of this Act as a fraudulent preference of a person interested in property mortgaged or charged to secure the bankrupt's debt, then (without prejudice to any rights or liabilities arising apart from this section) the person preferred shall be subject to the same liabilities and shall have the same rights as if he had undertaken to be personally liable as surety for the debt to the extent of the charge on the property or the value of his interest, whichever is the less.
(b) The value of the said person's interest shall be determined as at the date of the transaction constituting the fraudulent preference, and shall be determined as if the interest were free of all encumbrances other than those to which the charge for the bankrupt's debt was then subject.
(c) On any application made to the Court in relation to any payment on the ground that the payment was a fraudulent preference of a surety or guarantor, the Court shall have jurisdiction to determine any questions relating to the payment arising between the person to whom the payment was made and the surety or guarantor, and to grant relief in respect thereof notwithstanding that it is not necessary so to do for the purposes of the bankruptcy, and for that purpose may give leave to bring in the surety or guarantor as a third party as in the case of an action for the recovery of the sum paid.
(d) Paragraph (c) shall apply, with the necessary modifications, in relation to transactions other than the payment of money as it applies to payments.
Avoidance of certain transactions.
(New)
58.—(1) If within three months before he is adjudicated bankrupt a debtor commits an act of bankruptcy and thereafter either sells any of his property at a price which, in the opinion of the Court, is substantially below its market value or enters into or is a party to any other transaction which, in the opinion of the Court, has the effect of substantially reducing the sum available for distribution to the creditors, such transaction shall be void as against the Official Assignee, unless the transaction was bona fide entered into and the other party had not at the time of the transaction notice of any prior act of bankruptcy committed by the bankrupt.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not affect the rights of any person making title in good faith and for valuable consideration through or under a person (other than the bankrupt) who is party to a transaction mentioned therein.
(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any transaction mentioned in section 57 (1) or 59.
Avoidance of certain settlements.
(1857, s. 314; 1872, s. 52)
59.—(1) Any settlement of property, not being a settlement made before and in consideration of marriage, or made in favour of a purchaser or incumbrancer in good faith and for valuable consideration, shall—
(a) if the settlor is adjudicated bankrupt within two years after the date of the settlement, be void as against the Official Assignee, and
(b) if the settlor is adjudicated bankrupt at any subsequent time within five years after the date of the settlement, be void as against the Official Assignee unless the parties claiming under the settlement prove that the settlor was, at the time of making the settlement, able to pay all his debts without the aid of the property comprised in the settlement and that the interest of the settlor in such property passed to the trustee of such settlement on the execution thereof.
(2) A covenant or contract made by any person (in this section called the settlor) in consideration of his or her marriage, either for the future payment of money for the benefit of the settlor's spouse or children, or for the future settlement, on or for the settlor's spouse or children, of property wherein the settlor had not at the date of the marriage any estate or interest, whether vested or contingent, in possession or remainder, shall, if the settlor is adjudicated bankrupt and the covenant or contract has not been executed at the date of the adjudication, be void as against the Official Assignee, except so far as it enables the persons entitled under the covenant or contract to claim for dividend in the settlor's bankruptcy under or in respect of the covenant or contract, but any such claim to dividend shall be postponed until all the claims of the other creditors for valuable consideration in money or money's worth have been satisfied.
(3) Any payment of money (not being payment of premiums on a policy of life assurance) or any transfer of property made by the settlor in pursuance of a covenant or contract to which subsection (2) applies shall be void as against the Official Assignee in the settlor's bankruptcy, unless the persons to whom the payment or transfer was made prove that:
(a) the payment or transfer was made more than two years before the date of the adjudication of the settlor, or
(b) at the date of the payment or transfer, the settlor was able to pay all his debts without the aid of the money so paid or the property so transferred, or
(c) the payment or transfer was made in pursuance of a covenant or contract to pay or transfer money or property expected to come to the settlor from or on the death of a particular person named in the covenant or contract, and was made within three months after the money or property came into the possession or under the control of the settlor;
but, in the event of any such payment or transfer being declared void, the persons to whom it was made shall be entitled to claim for dividend under or in respect of the covenant or contract in like manner as if it had not been executed at the date of the adjudication.
(4) In this section “settlement” includes any conveyance or transfer of property.
Management Provisions
Office of the Official Assignee.
60.—(1) The Official Assignee shall have and exercise such powers and authorities and perform such duties and functions as are from time to time conferred on or assigned to him by statute (including this Act) or rules of court.
(2) There shall be employed in the Office of the Official Assignee an inspector (in this Act referred to as “the Bankruptcy Inspector”) and paragraph 22 of the Eighth Schedule to the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961, shall apply accordingly.
(3) The person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, held office as Messenger of the Court shall, on such commencement, become and be the Bankruptcy Inspector.
Functions of Official Assignee in bankruptcy and vesting arrangements.
(New)
61.—(1) This section applies to every bankruptcy matter and vesting arrangement.
(2) The functions of the Official Assignee are to get in and realise the property, to ascertain the debts and liabilities and to distribute the assets in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(3) In the performance of his functions the Official Assignee shall, in particular, have power—
(a) to sell the property by public auction or private contract, with power to transfer the whole thereof to any person or to sell the same in lots and for the purpose of selling land to carry out such sale by fee farm grant, sub fee farm grant, lease, sub-lease or otherwise and to sell any rent reserved on any such grant or any reversion expectant upon the determination of any such lease,
(b) to make any compromise or arrangement with creditors or persons claiming to be creditors or having or alleging themselves to have any claim present or future, certain or contingent, ascertained or sounding only in damages whereby the bankrupt or arranging debtor may be rendered liable,
(c) to compromise all debts and liabilities capable of resulting in debts and all claims, present or future, certain or contingent, ascertained or sounding only in damages, subsisting or supposed to subsist between the bankrupt or arranging debtor and any debtor and all questions in any way relating to or affecting the assets or the proceedings on such terms as may be agreed and take any security for the discharge of any debt, liability or claim, and give a complete discharge in respect thereof,
(d) to institute, continue or defend any proceedings relating to the property,
(e) to refer any dispute concerning the property to arbitration under the terms of section 11 of the Arbitration Act, 1954,
(f) to mortgage or pledge any property to raise any money requisite,
(g) to take out in his official name without being required to give security, letters of administration to any estate on the administration of which the bankrupt or arranging debtor would benefit,
(h) to agree a sum for costs where the Court so directs or where he considers that the amount which would be allowed on taxation would not exceed £1,000,
(i) to agree the charges of accountants, auctioneers, brokers and other persons,
(j) to ascertain and certify to the Court the amount due in respect of a mortgage debt and the due priority thereof with power to the Court to vary such certificate,
(k) to draw out of the account referred to in section 84 (1) any sum not exceeding £100 by way of indemnity in respect of costs incurred by him.
(4) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in subsection (3), no disposition of property of a bankrupt, arranging debtor or person dying insolvent, which comprises a family home within the meaning of the Family Home Protection Act, 1976, shall be made without the prior sanction of the Court, and any disposition made without such sanction shall be void.
(5) On an application by the Official Assignee under this section for an order for the sale of a family home, the Court, notwithstanding anything contained in this or any other enactment, shall have power to order postponement of the sale of the family home having regard to the interests of the creditors and of the spouse and dependants of the bankrupt as well as to all the circumstances of the case.
(6) The Official Assignee may in case of doubt or difficulty seek the directions of the Court in connection with the affairs of any bankrupt or arranging debtor.
(7) The exercise by the Official Assignee of the powers conferred by this section shall be subject to the control of the Court, and any creditor or other person who in the opinion of the Court has an interest may apply to the Court in relation to the exercise or proposed exercise of those powers.
(8) The powers and functions conferred on the Official Assignee by this section may be exercised and performed—
(a) in the case of an adjudication founded on a petition of a debtor, on adjudication,
(b) in the case of an adjudication founded on a petition by a creditor, on the expiration of the time for showing cause,
(c) in the case of a vesting arrangement, on approval of the proposal by the Court.
Bankruptcy Inspector and assistants.
(1857, s. 62)
62.—(1) The Bankruptcy Inspector and his assistants shall follow the instructions of the Official Assignee, subject to the directions and control of the Court.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the duty of the Bankruptcy Inspector or his assistants—
(a) to seize the property of the bankrupt pursuant to a warrant issued by the Court under section 27,
(b) to take an inventory of and report on the bankrupt's property,
(c) to take possession of the property of an arranging debtor pursuant to section 100, and to take an inventory of and report on the property,
(d) to do such other things as may be directed by the Court or the Official Assignee.
Protection of Official Assignee.
(1857, s. 65)
63.—The Official Assignee shall not be liable—
(a) by reason of any of the matters on which an adjudication was grounded being insufficient to support the adjudication,
(b) in respect of his receipt of any property, provided he has not dealt with the property otherwise than as directed by the Court or as required by this Act or by rules of court.
Power of Official Assignee to bar entail.
(1857, s. 340; 1872, s. 50)
64.—The Official Assignee may, with the sanction of the Court, deal with any land to which the bankrupt is beneficially entitled as tenant in tail in the same manner as the bankrupt might have dealt with it had he not been adjudicated; and sections 49 to 61 of the Fines and Recoveries (Ireland) Act, 1834 (so far as they are applicable) shall extend and apply to proceedings in bankruptcy under this Act as if those sections were herein re-enacted and in terms made applicable to those proceedings.
Power of Official Assignee to appropriate part of bankrupt's income.
(New: cf. 1857, s. 319; 1872, s. 51)
65.—(1) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any other enactment, whenever a bankrupt, whether self-employed or not, is in receipt of or is entitled to receive any salary, income, emolument or pension, the Court may, from time to time, on the application of the Official Assignee, make such order directed to the bankrupt and any person from whom the bankrupt is entitled to receive any such salary, income, emolument or pension for the payment to the Official Assignee of all or part of such salary, income, emolument or pension, subject to such conditions as to payment as the Court may specify in the order having regard to the family responsibilities and personal situation of the bankrupt.
(2) The Court may at any time, on the application of any interested person, vary an order under subsection (1), having regard to any changes in the family responsibilities or personal situation of the bankrupt.
Delivery of property to Official Assignee.
(cf. 1857, s. 324)
66.—Every person shall, on request, deliver up to the Official Assignee all money or securities for money in such person's possession or control which he is not by law entitled to retain as against the bankrupt or the Official Assignee.
Right of Official Assignee to transfer stocks or shares.
(cf. 1857, s. 320)
67.—Where any part of the property of a bankrupt, or of an arranging debtor under a vesting arrangement, consists of stocks or shares, the Official Assignee may exercise the right to transfer them to the same extent as the bankrupt or arranging debtor could have exercised it but for the adjudication or vesting arrangement.
Right of Official Assignee to inspect goods pawned or pledged.
(New)
68.—Where any goods of a bankrupt are held by any person by way of pledge, pawn or other security, the Official Assignee may give notice in writing to the holder of his intention to inspect the goods and, where such notice has been given, the holder shall not be entitled to realise his security until he has given the Official Assignee a reasonable opportunity of inspecting the goods and of exercising his right of redemption if he thinks fit to do so.
Receipt of property of bankrupt.
(cf. 1857, ss. 60, 61)
69.—(1) The Official Assignee shall be assignee of each bankrupt's estate and act with the creditors' assignee, if any.
(2) Except where otherwise directed by the Court, the property of every bankrupt, and the income and proceeds thereof, shall be possessed and received by the Official Assignee.
(3) All money and securities received by the Official Assignee, being part of a bankrupt's estate, shall be forthwith lodged by him in the Central Bank of Ireland and shall be kept there to the credit of the Official Assignee subject to the provisions of this Act and rules of court and to the directions of the Court.
(4) Subject to section 84, all money and securities which, immediately before the commencement of this Act, stood to the credit of bank accounts in bankruptcy or arrangement matters shall be dealt with pursuant to rules of court.
(5) The Official Assignee, with the leave of the Court, may from time to time invest the whole or any part of any money referred to in this section, and any interest thereon shall be paid into the appropriate bank accounts.
Claim to property in possession of bankrupt.
(New)
70.—(1) Where a person claims any property which is in the possession of the bankrupt at the date of adjudication he shall file with the Official Assignee a claim verified by affidavit.
(2) The Official Assignee may give notice in writing to any person to prove his claim to property which is in the possession of the bankrupt at the date of adjudication and, unless within one month after the service of the notice that person files with the Official Assignee a claim verified by affidavit, the Official Assignee may, with the sanction of the Court, sell or dispose of the property free of any right or interest therein of that person.
Allowances to bankrupt.
(cf. 1857, s. 301)
71.—The Court may make to the bankrupt out of his estate such allowances as the Court thinks proper in the special circumstances of the case.
Redirection of letters, etc., addressed to bankrupt.
(1857, s. 312)
72.—Where a debtor is adjudicated bankrupt the Court, on the application of the Official Assignee, may from time to time order that for such time, not exceeding three months, as the Court thinks fit letters, telegrams and postal packets addressed to the bankrupt at any place mentioned in the order shall, on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Court thinks fit, be redirected, sent or delivered to the Official Assignee as the Court directs.
Appointment of receivers and managers.
(1872, s. 68)
73.—The Court may, at any time after adjudication or after the granting of an order for protection, appoint a receiver or manager of the whole or part of the property of the bankrupt or arranging debtor and may direct that the receiver or manager take immediate possession of such property or any part thereof.
Joint and separate dividends.
(cf. 1857, s. 266)
74.—If one or more of the partners of a firm is a bankrupt, any creditor of the firm shall be entitled to prove his debt or be admitted as a creditor for the purpose of voting in the choice and appointment of a creditors' assignee but such creditor shall not receive any dividend out of the separate estate of the bankrupt until all the separate creditors shall have received the full amount of their respective debts.
Debts provable in bankruptcy and arrangements.
(cf. 1857, ss. 247, 249, 252 to 258; 1872, ss. 45-47)
75.—(1) Debts and liabilities, present or future, certain or contingent, by reason of any obligation incurred by the bankrupt or arranging debtor before the date of adjudication or order for protection and claims in the nature of unliquidated damages for which the bankrupt or arranging debtor is liable at that date by reason of a wrong within the meaning of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, shall be provable in the bankruptcy or arrangement.
(2) Where interest or any pecuniary consideration in lieu of interest is reserved or agreed for on a debt which is overdue at the date of adjudication, the creditor shall be entitled to prove or be admitted as a creditor for such interest or consideration up to the date of adjudication.
(3) Where all necessary parties agree, an order for assessment of damages or contribution under section 61 (2) of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, may be made by the Court, notwithstanding that it may not be the court by or before which the claim for damages or contribution falls to be determined.
(4) An estimate may be made by the Court of the value of any debt which, by reason of it being subject to any contingency or for any other reason, does not bear a certain value and the amount of the estimate shall be proved as a debt.
Proof of debts.
(cf. 1857, s. 246 in pt.)
76.—The provisions of the First Schedule shall apply in relation to the proof of debts.
Bankruptcy of mercantile agent.
(New)
77.—Section 12 (2) of the Factors Act, 1889 (which regulates the rights of an owner of goods in the case of the bankruptcy of a mercantile agent to whom they have been entrusted) shall have effect with the substitution for the reference to a trustee in bankruptcy of a reference to the Official Assignee.
Proof for costs of judgment.
(1857, s. 261)
78.—Where a party to any cause or matter has obtained a judgment or order against a person who is afterwards adjudicated bankrupt or is granted an order for protection for any debt for which he proves or is admitted a creditor, he shall also be entitled to prove or be admitted a creditor for the costs of the judgment or order, whether or not the costs have been taxed or ascertained at the date of the adjudication or order for protection.
Disallowance of debts already proved.
(1857, s. 263)
79.—The Court may, on the application of the Official Assignee or any creditor or the bankrupt or arranging debtor, disallow, in whole or in part, any debt already proved or admitted.
Distribution of Estate
Priority of expenses, etc.
(New)
80.—The expenses, fees and costs of the bankruptcy shall be payable in priority to the liabilities of the bankrupt in such order as may be prescribed.
Preferential payments.
(1889, ss. 4,6; 33/1963, s. 285)
81.—(1) In the distribution of the property of a bankrupt there shall be paid in priority to all other debts—
(a) all local rates due from the bankrupt at the date of the order of adjudication, and having become due and payable within twelve months next before that date, and all property or income tax assessed on the bankrupt up to the 5th day of April next before the date of the order of adjudication, and not exceeding in the whole one year's assessment;
(b) all wages or salary (whether or not earned wholly or in part by way of commission) of any clerk or servant in respect of services rendered to the bankrupt during the four months next before the date of the order of adjudication not exceeding £2,500;
(c) all wages not exceeding £2,500 of any labourer or workman (whether payable for time or for piece work) in respect of services rendered to the bankrupt during the four months next before the date of the order of adjudication: provided that, where any farm labourer has entered into a contract for the payment of a portion of his wages in a lump sum at the end of the year or other shorter term of hiring, the priority under this section shall extend to the whole of such sum, or a part thereof, as the Court may decide to be due under the contract proportionate to the time of service up to the date of the order of adjudication;
(d) all accrued holiday remuneration becoming payable to any clerk, servant, workman or labourer (or in the case of his death to any other person in his right) on the termination of his employment before or by the effect of the adjudication order;
(e) all sums due to any employee pursuant to any scheme or arrangement for the provision of payments to the employee while he is absent from employment owing to ill health;
(f) any payments due by the bankrupt pursuant to any scheme or arrangement for the provision of superannuation benefits to or in respect of employees of the bankrupt whether such payments are due in respect of the bankrupt's contribution to that scheme or under that arrangement or in respect of such contributions payable by the employees to the bankrupt under any such scheme or arrangement which have been deducted from the wages or salaries of employees;
(g) any debt, payment or contribution which by virtue of any provision in any enactment in operation before the commencement of this Act was included in the debts to which section 4 of the Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889, gave priority; and any reference to the said section 4 in any such enactment shall be construed as a reference to this subsection.
(2) The foregoing debts shall rank equally between themselves and be paid in full unless the property of the bankrupt is insufficient to meet them, in which case they shall abate in equal proportions between themselves.
(3) Subject to the retention of such sums as may be necessary for the costs and expenses of administration or otherwise, the foregoing debts shall be discharged forthwith so far as the property of the bankrupt is sufficient to meet them.
(4) In the event of a landlord or other person distraining or having distrained on any goods or effects of the bankrupt within three months next before the date of the order of adjudication, the debts to which priority is given by this section shall be a first charge on the goods or effects so distrained on, or the proceeds of sale thereof; provided that in respect of any money paid under any such charge the landlord or other person shall have the same rights of priority as the person to whom the payment is made.
(5) Any remuneration in respect of a period of holiday or absence from work through good cause shall be deemed to be wages in respect of services rendered to the bankrupt during that period.
(6) Notwithstanding section 4, this section shall not apply where the order of adjudication was made before the commencement of this Act, and in such a case, the provisions relating to preferential payments which would have applied if this Act had not been passed shall be deemed to remain in full force.
(7) Subsections (1), (2), (3), (5) and (6) shall apply in the case of an arranging debtor under the provisions of this Act as if he were a bankrupt, and as if the date of the filing of the petition for arrangement were substituted for the date of the order of adjudication.
(8) Any creditor who, in the case of an arrangement, votes in respect of any debt to which priority is given by this section for or against the acceptance of the debtor's proposal or any modification thereof or, in the case of a composition after bankruptcy, votes in respect of any such debt for or against the acceptance of the bankrupt's offer of composition or any modification thereof shall by so voting be deemed to have abandoned any rights under subsection (1) and shall be remitted to such rights (if any) in respect of any of the debts therein mentioned as such creditor would have had apart from that subsection.
(9) This section shall apply in the case of a deceased person who dies insolvent as if he were a bankrupt and as if the date of his death were substituted for the date of the order of adjudication.
(10) Nothing in this section shall alter the effect of section 3 of the Partnership Act, 1890, or shall prejudice the provisions of section 14 of the Trustee Savings Banks Act, 1863, or the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896.
Distribution of estate.
(cf. 1857, ss. 286, 288, 289, 290, 292, 293)
82.—(1) As soon as convenient after the receipt by him of sufficient funds to meet expenses, fees, costs and preferential payments and to pay a dividend to creditors in any bankrupt's estate the Official Assignee shall place on the Court file a list of creditors admitted by him or by the Court, a copy of the relevant account of the bankrupt in his books, particulars of expenses, fees, costs, preferential payments and dividend payable to creditors and his report on the realisation of the estate.
(2) The Official Assignee shall present the documents and the report filed in accordance with subsection (1) to the Court at a sitting to be held not less than twenty-one days after notice of the filing and of the sitting has been given in the prescribed manner.
(3) At the sitting the Court may make such order as it thinks fit for distribution of the estate or any part thereof by payment of the expenses, fees, costs and preferential payments as well as the relevant dividend.
(4) The file referred to in subsection (1) shall be open to public inspection on payment of a prescribed fee but no fee shall be charged to creditors inspecting the file.
(5) If for any reason the estate of the bankrupt is not fully distributed at such sitting, second and subsequent distributions shall be made as soon as convenient after the realisation of the residual estate. The procedure shall be the same as for the first distribution.
(6) In any case where there are no funds, or in the opinion of the Official Assignee insufficient funds, available for distribution to the creditors the Court may order the payment of expenses, fees and costs in that order so far as the funds extend. Where a balance remains, it shall be transferred to the account referred to in section 84 (1).
Accounts and audit.
(New)
83.—Rules of court shall provide for the keeping of accounts by the Official Assignee and for the audit of these accounts.
Official Assignee—Unclaimed Dividend Account.
(1857, ss. 61, 295, 296; 1872, s. 77; 1888, c. 44; LCR, 1888, r. 125)
84.—(1) The Official Assignee shall cause to be opened in the Central Bank of Ireland an account, to be called the “Official Assignee—Unclaimed Dividend Account”, and all money and securities which, immediately before the commencement of this Act, stood to the credit of The Unclaimed Dividend Account or The Unclaimed Dividend Account, Cork, shall be carried into that Account.
(2) The Official Assignee shall pay into that Account all unclaimed dividends and all money unclaimed, being part of any bankrupt's estate.
(3) (a) The Official Assignee shall be entitled to pay out of that Account all dividends lawfully claimed as well as the sums provided for by section 61 (3) (k).
(b) In order to provide temporarily for payments for which no funds are immediately available in the particular estate against which they are chargeable, there may be paid out of that Account to the credit of the Official Assignee in a separate account in the said bank such sums, subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed.
(4) The Official Assignee, with the leave of the Court, may from time to time invest the whole or any part of the money standing to the credit of the Account, and the interest on the investments shall be paid into it.
(5) The Court may order that the Official Assignee shall be paid out of the Account such sum by way of indemnity in respect of any damages, costs or expenses payable or incurred or to be payable or incurred by him for or by reason of any act or matter done by him while acting in his official capacity as the Court thinks just, including the costs of any proceedings taken by the Official Assignee with the leave of the Court where there are insufficient funds in the matter.
(New)
(6) The Account shall not be available for any purpose other than the purposes of this section.
Discharge and annulment.
(New)
85.—(1) Any bankruptcy subsisting at the commencement of this Act where the order of adjudication in respect thereof was made before 1st January, 1960, is hereby discharged.
(2) Where an adjudication order is discharged by virtue of the provisions of subsection (1) any property of the bankrupt which remains vested in the Official Assignee shall after provision has been made for the payment of the expenses, fees, costs and preferential payments be returned to the bankrupt and shall be deemed to be revested in him as and from the commencement of this Act.
(3) A bankrupt shall be entitled to a discharge from bankruptcy—
(a) when provision has been made for payment of the expenses, fees and costs due in the bankruptcy, as well as the preferential payments, and
(i) he has paid one pound in the pound, with such interest as the Court may allow, or
(ii) he has obtained the consent of all his creditors; or
(1857, s. 149)
(b) in a case to which section 41 applies.
(cf. 1872, s. 56)
(4) A bankrupt whose estate has, in the opinion of the Court, been fully realised shall be entitled to a discharge from bankruptcy when provision has been made for payment of the expenses, fees and costs due in the bankruptcy, as well as the preferential payments, and—
(a) his creditors have received fifty pence or more in the pound, or
(b) he or his friends have paid to his creditors such additional sums as will together with the dividend paid make up fifty pence in the pound, or
(c) the bankruptcy has subsisted for twelve years:
provided that in any application under paragraph (c) the Court shall be satisfied that all after-acquired property has been disclosed and that it is reasonable and proper to grant the application.
(5) A person shall be entitled to an annulment of his adjudication—
(1857, s. 129)
(a) where he has shown cause pursuant to section 16, or
(b) in any other case where, in the opinion of the Court, he ought not to have been adjudicated bankrupt.
(New)
(6) An order of discharge or annulment shall provide that any property of the bankrupt then vested in the Official Assignee shall be revested in or returned to the bankrupt, and that order shall for all purposes be deemed to be a conveyance, assignment or transfer of that property to the bankrupt and, where appropriate, may be registered accordingly.
(cf. 1872, s. 56)
(7) A person who is entitled to a discharge or annulment may apply to the Court to obtain a certificate of discharge or annulment, as the case may require, under the seal of the Court.
(8) In this section “bankrupt” includes personal representatives and assigns.
Surplus.
(1857, s. 304)
86.—(1) If the estate of any bankrupt is sufficient to pay one pound in the pound, with interest at the rate currently payable on judgment debts, and to leave a surplus the Court shall order such surplus to be paid or delivered to or vested in the bankrupt, his personal representatives or assigns.
(2) The order shall for all purposes be deemed to be a conveyance, assignment or transfer of property and, where appropriate, may be registered accordingly.
PART IV
Arrangements under Control of Court
Petition for protection.
(1857, s. 343)
87.—(1) Any debtor unable to meet his engagements with his creditors and wishing to place the state of his affairs before them with a view to making a proposal for the composition of his debts, under the control of the Court, and to subject himself to the jurisdiction of the Court as provided by this Part may present a petition to the Court setting out the reason for his inability to pay his debts and requesting that his person and property may be protected until further order from any action or other process.
(2) The Court, on such petition, may by order grant such protection and renew the same from time to time as it thinks fit.
(3) The Court may refuse to grant protection to any debtor who is a member of a partnership, unless all the partners join in the petition.
(1872, s. 62)
(4) In this section “process” includes a bankruptcy summons and the registration of an affidavit of a judgment under the Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850.
(5) While an order for protection is in force a creditor shall not be entitled to register any affidavit referred to in subsection (4) and any purported registration shall be of no effect.
(New)
(6) If a debtor, at the time of his petition, is in prison by virtue of section 6 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, the Court, on granting protection, may order his release.
Restriction on dealing with property.
(New)
88.—After an order for protection has been granted and so long as it is in force the arranging debtor shall not, without the prior sanction of the Court, pledge, part with or dispose of his property or any part thereof, save in the ordinary course of trade or business.
Effect of protection on execution orders.
(New)
89.—(1) An order for protection may be granted notwithstanding that there is an execution order in the hands of a sheriff or county registrar and the order shall operate to protect against execution save as provided by this section.
(2) The order for protection shall not affect an execution order on foot of which the sheriff or county registrar has made a seizure or gone into possession, and in such case the execution creditor may recover such amount of his debt as may be realised by the execution.
(3) In any case when the sheriff or county registrar has not made a seizure or gone into possession on foot of an execution order, the order for protection shall protect the debtor from further process in respect thereof and the execution creditor shall be bound by the arrangement.
Procedure on grant of protection.
(New)
90.—On the granting of an order for protection—
(a) the Court shall direct the arranging debtor to call a preliminary meeting of his creditors at which meeting the arranging debtor shall present a statement of his assets and liabilities and keep a minute of the proceedings;
(b) the Court shall direct a private sitting before the Court (to be held at a date specified in the order) for the purpose of considering his proposal;
(c) the arranging debtor shall deliver forthwith to the Official Assignee a memorandum containing:
(i) the date of the order for protection,
(ii) his name and address,
(iii) the amount of liabilities secured, partly secured and unsecured,
(iv) the amount of assets,
and shall deliver a duplicate of the said memorandum to the Central Office.
Filing of statements.
(1857, s. 345 in pt.)
91.—The arranging debtor shall file in the Official Assignee's Office at least two days before the private sitting referred to in section 90—
(a) a statement of affairs in the prescribed form, which shall have endorsed thereon such proposal as he is able to make for the future payment or compromise of the debts or engagements set out therein, and
(b) a copy of the statement submitted at the preliminary meeting and of the minute of the proceedings with any proposal made thereat or at any adjournment thereof.
Acceptance of proposal.
(1857, s. 346 in pt., s. 348)
92.—(1) (a) If, at the private sitting referred to in section 90 or any adjournment thereof, three-fifths in number and value of the creditors voting at such sitting either in person or by an agent authorised in writing in that behalf accept the proposal or any modification thereof, it shall be deemed to be accepted by the creditors, subject to the approval of the Court.
(1857, s. 347)
(b) If approved by the Court, the proposal or any modification thereof shall be binding on the arranging debtor and on all persons who were creditors at the date of the petition and who had notice of the sitting.
(2) A creditor whose debt is less than £100 shall not be entitled to vote.
(3) The arranging debtor shall attend the sitting and the Court shall have power to examine him on oath or any witness produced by him or any creditor or person claiming to be a creditor.
(4) The Court may require any person so examined to sign a transcript of his evidence.
(1857, ss. 346, 347)
(5) Debts may be proved at the sitting.
Vesting in Official Assignee.
93.—(1) If the proposal provides for the vesting of all or part of the arranging debtor's property in the Official Assignee either as security for an offer or for realisation and distribution, that property shall vest in the Official Assignee, if he consents, in accordance with the terms of the proposal on the approval of the proposal by the Court.
(2) Where all or part of the property is vested in the Official Assignee for realisation and distribution, the Official Assignee shall have for that purpose all such powers in relation to the property as he has in a bankruptcy matter. A proposal under which property is so vested is referred to in this Act as a “vesting arrangement”.
(New)
(3) Section 46 (which relates to a certificate of vesting) shall apply to property which vests in the Official Assignee under this section.
Distribution of property in vesting arrangement.
(New)
94.—(1) When the Official Assignee has sufficient funds to implement the terms of a vesting arrangement he shall present to the Court for approval a list of creditors admitted by him or by the Court, a copy of the relevant account of the arranging debtor in his books, particulars of expenses, fees, costs, preferential payments and dividend payable to creditors and his report on the realisation of the estate.
(2) The Court may make such order as it thinks fit for the distribution of the estate or any part thereof by payment of the expenses, fees, costs and preferential payments as well as the relevant dividend.
(3) The report and the account, together with the order of the Court, shall then be filed in the Central Office and shall be open to inspection by each creditor to whom notice of filing has been given in such form as may be prescribed. No fee shall be charged for inspecting the file.
(4) If for any reason the estate of the arranging debtor is not fully distributed by such order, second and subsequent distributions shall be made as soon as convenient after the realisation of the residual estate. The procedure shall be the same as for the first distribution.
(5) In any case where there are no funds, or in the opinion of the Official Assignee insufficient funds, available for distribution to the creditors, the Court may order the payment of expenses, fees and costs in that order so far as the funds extend. Where a balance remains, it shall be transferred to the account referred to in section 84 (1).
Special private sitting.
(cf. 1857, ss. 351, 353 in pt.)
95.—(1) Where a proposal has been approved and the Court considers it necessary and desirable so to do, the Court may on the application of the arranging debtor cause a special private sitting to be held.
(2) At this sitting the majority in number and value of the creditors who have proved debts of not less than £100 may confirm, alter or annul the proposal.
(3) If, however, one-third in number and value of such creditors do not attend the sitting, the decision at the sitting shall not be valid unless it is approved by the Court.
Carrying proposal into effect.
(New)
96.—A proposal shall be considered to be carried into effect—
(a) in the case of a vesting arrangement, on the approval thereof by the Court, and
(b) in any other case, at such time as may be prescribed.
Lodgment with Official Assignee.
(New)
97.—Where the proposal of an arranging debtor (not being a proposal providing for the vesting of all or part of his property in the Official Assignee for realisation and distribution) has been approved, the arranging debtor shall, within the prescribed period, lodge with the Official Assignee for purposes of distribution the necessary amount to pay expenses, fees, costs and the preferential payments, together with the cash, bills or promissory notes (if any) provided for in the proposal.
Certificate of arranging debtor.
(New: cf. 1872, s. 64 in pt.)
98.—Where the proposal of the arranging debtor has been carried into effect, the Court shall, on the report of the Official Assignee and in the absence of fraud, grant to the arranging debtor a certificate under the seal of the Court, and the certificate shall operate as a discharge to the arranging debtor from the claims of creditors who received notice of the arrangement.
Publication in relation to arrangements.
(New)
99.—(1) No publication of the affairs of the petitioner or of the proceedings in an arrangement matter shall take place without the sanction of the Court other than the publication in a bona fide trade journal of the particulars set out in the documents filed in the Central Office under section 90.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
Taking possession of property by Official Assignee.
(cf. 1857, s. 344 in pt.)
100.—The Court may, on the application of the Official Assignee or any creditor, at any time after an order for protection is made (and on sufficient cause shown) direct that the property of the arranging debtor or any part thereof shall be possessed and received by the Official Assignee.
Discharge of protection order.
(New)
101.—The Court may, at any time after the private sitting referred to in section 90, order that the order for protection be discharged on application to that effect being made by the arranging debtor with the concurrence of every creditor who had notice of the private sitting and whose debt is not less than £100.
Surplus.
(cf. 1872, s. 65 in pt.)
102.—(1) Whenever it appears to the Court that there remains vested in or in the possession or control of the Official Assignee any property of an arranging debtor who has obtained the certificate mentioned in section 98 the Court shall order that it be revested in or returned to, as the case may be, the debtor, his personal representatives or assigns.
(2) The order shall for all purposes be deemed to be a conveyance, assignment or transfer of property and, where appropriate, may be registered accordingly.
Goods obtained on credit.
(New)
103.—If within fourteen days before an order for protection is made the debtor obtains goods on credit knowing at the time that he will be unable to pay for them the Court, on the application of the creditor, may, if it thinks fit, direct either the return of the goods or payment for them in full.
Private sitting for enquiry.
(1857, s. 353 in pt.)
104.—The Court may at any time in an arrangement matter, on the application of the Official Assignee or any person having an interest, appoint a private sitting for enquiry and summon before it the arranging debtor or any other person and examine him upon any matter which the Court considers relevant to the arrangement.
Adjudication of arranging debtor.
(New: cf. 1857, s. 353 in pt.)
105.—(1) The Court may, if it thinks fit, adjudicate the debtor bankrupt if—
(a) he does not, in the prescribed manner and within the time specified in section 91, file the documents required by that section, or
(b) at the private sitting referred to in section 90 or any adjournment thereof his proposal or any modification thereof is not accepted or approved, or
(c) his proposal is annulled under section 95 (2), or
(d) at any time after the presentation of his petition for arrangement it is shown that the affidavit filed with the petition is wilfully untrue or that he has not made a full disclosure of his property, assets and liabilities, or
(e) it appears that he does not wish to make a bona fide arrangement with all his creditors, or
(f) his proposal is not reasonable and proper to be executed under the direction of the Court, or
(g) he does not duly attend the private sitting or any adjournment thereof, or
(h) he fails to obey any order of the Court affecting him which may be made in the arrangement matter, or
(i) he is party to any corrupt agreement with his creditors to secure the acceptance of his proposal.
(2) On an adjudication under subsection (1) the Court shall proceed as in bankruptcy and cause notice of the adjudication to be given forthwith in the prescribed manner in Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one daily newspaper, and the petitioner shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Court in the same manner as any other bankrupt, and any proposal which may have been made or accepted or approved shall be void.
Partners obtaining protection of the Court.
(New)
106.—(1) Where two or more members of a partnership obtain the protection of the Court and make proposals to their creditors for the payment or compromise of their joint and several liabilities, the Court shall adjudicate all the members bankrupt if any of the proposals are not accepted.
(2) On an adjudication under subsection (1) the Court shall proceed as in bankruptcy and cause notice of the adjudication to be given forthwith in the prescribed manner in Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one daily newspaper, and the petitioner shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Court in the same manner as any other bankrupt, and any proposal which may have been made or accepted or approved shall be void.
Summoning witnesses.
(1857, s. 353 in pt.)
107.—The procedure for summoning witnesses in an arrangement matter shall be the same as in bankruptcy and the Court shall have similar powers of enforcing their attendance.
Registration of arrangements.
(New: cf. 1887, c. 57, s. 7; 1890, c. 24, s. 2)
108.—(1) A register shall be maintained in the Central Office for the filing of memoranda delivered to that office under section 90.
(2) Rules of court may provide for matters ancillary to the keeping of the register.
Exclusion of Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887.
(New)
109.—The Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887, shall not apply to an arrangement under this Part.
PART V
Winding up by Trustee
Order for winding up.
(1872, ss. 87-122)
110.—If, at the statutory sitting referred to in section 17 (3) or at any adjournment thereof, at least three-fifths in number and value of the creditors voting at the meeting, either in person or by a person authorised in writing in that behalf, by resolution declare that the estate of the bankrupt be wound up by a trustee and a committee of inspection, and appoint for that purpose a trustee and a committee of inspection of not more than five creditors qualified to vote at the meeting, the Court, on application being made to it in that behalf, may order that the property of the bankrupt be so wound up.
Vesting in trustee.
111.—On the making of an order under section 110 the Official Assignee shall be divested of the property of the bankrupt vesting in him under this Act and such property shall vest in the trustee.
Powers of trustee, etc.
112.—(1) In the winding up the trustee shall be subject to the control of the Court and have regard to any directions given to him by the committee of inspection or by resolution of the creditors at the statutory sitting or any subsequent sitting.
(2) Subject to subsection (1), the trustee shall have all the powers and may perform all the functions conferred by this Act on the Official Assignee in relation to property vested in him and the provisions of this Act (other than those of Parts IV and VI) shall apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to the winding up of the property of a bankrupt by a trustee and a committee of inspection as they apply in relation to the administration of such property by the Official Assignee and the trustee shall be substituted for the Official Assignee in such provisions where appropriate.
(3) The statutory sitting shall make provision for:
(a) the remuneration of the trustee,
(b) the making of regular reports by the trustee at subsequent sittings in relation to the winding up,
(c) the procedure to be followed by the trustee in the lodgment of monies received by him,
(d) the audit of the trustee's accounts, and
(e) such other matters as may be prescribed.
Order of discharge.
113.—When the bankrupt's property has been fully realised and a final dividend has been paid to the creditors, the trustee shall report to the Court, and the Court, if satisfied that the estate has been fully wound up, shall declare the bankruptcy discharged and order that the trustee be released.
Powers of Court.
114.—Where an order is made under this Part for the winding up of the bankrupt's property by a trustee and a committee of inspection, the Court shall, subject to the provisions of this Part, have power to make such orders and give such directions in relation to the bankrupt, his creditors, debtors and property and in relation to the examination of persons (including the bankrupt) and other matters as it would have had if a trustee and a committee of inspection had not been appointed under this Part.
PART VI
Estates of Persons Dying Insolvent
Petition to administer in bankruptcy estate of person dying insolvent.
(New)
115.—(1) A petition for the administration under this Part of the estate of a deceased person may be presented to the Court by—
(a) any creditor whose debt would have been sufficient to support a bankruptcy petition against the deceased if he had been alive, or
(b) the personal representative of the deceased.
(2) Where the petition is presented by a creditor, notice thereof shall be served on the personal representative of the deceased.
(3) Where there is no known personal representative, the Court may direct service on such person and in such manner as it thinks fit or may dispense with service.
(4) A petition for administration under this Part shall not be presented to the Court after proceedings have been commenced in the Circuit Court for the administration of the deceased's estate, but that court may, when satisfied that the estate is insufficient to pay the debts, transfer the proceedings to the Court, and thereupon the Court may make an order for the administration under this Part of the deceased's estate.
Effect on personal representative of service of notice of petition.
(New)
116.—(1) After service on the personal representative of notice of the presentation of a petition, no payment or transfer of property made by the personal representative shall operate as a discharge to him as between himself and the Official Assignee.
(2) Except as aforesaid, nothing in this Part shall invalidate any payment made or any act or thing done in good faith by the personal representative before the date of the order for the administration under this Part of the deceased's estate.
Order for administration under Part VI.
(New)
117.—(1) On presentation of a petition the Court may, unless it appears that there is a reasonable probability that the estate will be sufficient for the payment of the deceased's debts, make an order for the administration under this Part of the deceased's estate or may, upon cause shown, dismiss the petition with or without costs.
(2) Where the petition is presented by a creditor, he shall prove his debt to the Court before an order is made.
(3) An order may be made under this section notwithstanding that there is no known personal representative of the deceased.
Vesting and distribution.
(New)
118.—(1) Upon an order being made for the administration under this Part of the deceased's estate, his property shall vest in the Official Assignee for realisation and distribution.
(2) Section 46 (which relates to a certificate of vesting) shall apply to property which vests in the Official Assignee under this section.
Priority of funeral and testamentary expenses.
(New)
119.—In the administration under this Part of the deceased's estate, the proper funeral and testamentary expenses incurred shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this or any other enactment, be payable in full in priority to all other payments.
Application of Act.
(New)
120.—The provisions of this Act shall, so far as they are applicable and with appropriate modifications, apply in the case of an order for administration under this Part as they apply in the case of an order of adjudication except that sections 50, 57, 58 and 59 shall not apply.
Surplus.
(New)
121.—(1) Where, on the administration under this Part of the deceased's estate, any property remains vested in, or in the possession or control of the Official Assignee after providing for the expenses, fees and costs, together with the debts and liabilities and interest at the rate currently payable on judgment debts, the Court shall order the property to be paid or delivered to or vested in the personal representative of the deceased or, if there is no personal representative, in such manner as the Court may direct.
(2) The order shall for all purposes be deemed to be a conveyance, assignment or transfer of property and, where appropriate, may be registered accordingly.
Right of retainer restricted.
(cf. 27/1965, s. 46)
122.—Where an order is made for administration under this Part, the right of retainer of a personal representative shall not be exercisable but he may prove any debt due to him which would otherwise be provable.
PART VII
Offences
Punishment of fraudulent debtors.
(1872, c. 57, s. 11; 33/1963, s. 293)
123.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), if a bankrupt or arranging debtor—
(a) fails to disclose to the Court, or to the Official Assignee or to such person or persons as the Court from time to time directs, all his property and how and to whom and for what consideration and when he disposed of any part thereof, except such part as has been disposed of in the ordinary way of his trade (if any) or laid out in the ordinary expense of his family, or
(b) fails to deliver up to the Official Assignee, or as he or the Court directs, all such part of his property as is in his possession or under his control, and which he is required by law to deliver up, or
(c) fails to deliver up to the Official Assignee, or as he or the Court directs, all books and papers in his possession or under his control relating to his estate and which he is required by law to deliver up, or
(d) conceals any part of his property to the value of £500 or upwards, or conceals any debt due to or from him, or
(e) fraudulently removes any part of his property to the value of £500 or upwards, or
(f) fails to file or deliver a statement of affairs as required by section 19 (c) or makes any material omission in any statement relating to his affairs, or
(g) knowing or believing that a false debt has been proved by any person under the bankruptcy or arrangement, fails for the period of a month to inform the Official Assignee thereof, or
(h) prevents the production of any book or paper affecting or relating to his estate, or
(i) conceals, destroys, mutilates or falsifies or is privy to the concealment, destruction, mutilation or falsification of any book or paper affecting or relating to his estate, or
(j) makes or is privy to the making of any false entry in any book or paper affecting or relating to his estate, or
(k) fraudulently parts with, alters or makes any omission in, or is privy to the fraudulent parting with, altering or making any omission in, any document affecting or relating to his estate, or
(l) attempts to account for any part of his property by fictitious losses or expenses, or
(m) obtains, by any fraud or false representation, any property on credit, or
(n) obtains, under the false pretence of carrying on business and, if a trader, of dealing in the ordinary way of his trade, any property on credit, or
(o) pawns, pledges or disposes of any property which he has obtained on credit, unless, in the case of a trader, such pawning, pledging or disposing is in the ordinary way of his trade, or
(p) is guilty of any fraud or false representation for the purpose of obtaining the consent of his creditors or any of them to an agreement with reference to his affairs or the bankruptcy or arrangement;
he shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) It shall be a good defence to a charge under any of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (n) and (o) of subsection (1) if the accused proves that he had no intent to defraud and to a charge under any of paragraphs (h), (i) and (j) of that subsection if he proves that he had no intent to conceal the state of his affairs or to defeat the law.
(3) (a) A person (other than a bankrupt or arranging debtor) who, with intent to defraud his creditors, does any of the acts mentioned in paragraphs (e), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n) or (o) of subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence and for this purpose references in paragraphs (e) or (k) to an act which is fraudulent or is committed fraudulently shall be construed as references to an act done with intent to defraud creditors.
(b) Where a person referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection does an act therein specified within twelve months next before he is adjudicated or granted an order for protection, it shall be presumed until the contrary is proved that the act was done with intent to defraud his creditors.
(4) Where any person pawns, pledges or disposes of any property in circumstances which amount to an offence under paragraph (o) of subsection (1) or under subsection (3), every person who takes in pawn or pledge or otherwise receives the property knowing it to be pawned, pledged or disposed of in such circumstances as aforesaid shall also be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to be punished in the same way as if he had been guilty of an offence under the said paragraph (o) or subsection (3).
Absconding debtor.
(1872, c. 57, s. 12)
124.—If any person with intent to defraud his creditors leaves the State and takes with him, or attempts or makes preparation to leave the State and take with him, any part of his property to the amount of £500 or upwards, he shall be guilty of an offence.
Corrupt agreement with creditors.
(cf. 1857, s. 150 in pt.; 1872, s. 76)
125.—If any creditor of a bankrupt or an arranging debtor obtains or accepts any property from the bankrupt or arranging debtor or any other person as an inducement for forbearing to oppose or for accepting any offer of composition or proposal or any modification thereof made by or on behalf of the bankrupt or arranging debtor, the claim of the creditor shall be void and irrecoverable and the creditor and such other person (if any) shall each be guilty of an offence.
False claim.
(1872, c. 57, s. 14)
126.—If any creditor, or any person claiming to be a creditor, in any bankruptcy or arrangement with intent to defraud makes any false claim or any proof, declaration or statement of account which is untrue in any material particular, he shall be guilty of an offence.
Non-disclosure of after-acquired property.
(New)
127.—A bankrupt who fails to disclose to the Official Assignee any after-acquired property shall be guilty of an offence.
Obstructing officers.
(cf. 1857, s. 389)
128.—Any person who knowingly and wilfully resists, hinders or obstructs the Bankruptcy Inspector or any of his assistants or any other person in the execution of his duties under this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
Obtaining credit or trading under other name.
(New)
129.—A bankrupt or an arranging debtor who—
(a) either alone or jointly with any other person obtains credit to the extent of £500 or upwards from any person without informing that person that he is a bankrupt or an arranging debtor, or
(b) engages in any trade or business under a name other than that under which he was adjudicated bankrupt or granted protection without disclosing to all persons with whom he enters into any business transactions the name under which he was so adjudicated or granted protection,
shall be guilty of an offence.
Inserting advertisement without authority.
(1857, s. 396)
130.—Any person who wilfully inserts or causes any advertisement under this Act to be inserted in Iris Oifigiúil or in any newspaper without authority under this Act, or knowing the same to be false in any material particular, shall be guilty of an offence.
Criminal liability after annulment.
(New)
131.—Where a bankrupt or arranging debtor has been guilty of any offence, he shall not be exempt from being proceeded against for the offence by reason that his bankruptcy has been discharged or annulled or that his proposal has been carried into effect.
Punishment of offences.
(New)
132.—(1) Every person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £500 or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both the fine and the imprisonment, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
(2) Section 13 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1967, shall apply in relation to an offence under this Act as if, in lieu of the penalties provided for in subsection (3) of the said section, there were specified therein the penalties provided for in subsection (1) (a) of this section, and the reference in subsection (2) (a) of the said section 13 to the penalties provided for in the said subsection (3) shall be construed and have effect accordingly.
PART VIII
Miscellaneous
Limitation of actions.
(New)
133.—The Official Assignee shall not be a trustee for the purposes of the Statute of Limitations, 1957.
Proceedings in private.
(cf. 1857, s. 354 in pt.)
134.—The Court may direct that the whole or any part of any sitting of the Court or proceeding in any matter under this Act shall be in private.
Power of Court to review its orders.
(cf. 1872, s. 6; 1897, ss. 3, 4)
135.—The Court may review, rescind or vary an order made by it in the course of a bankruptcy matter other than an order of discharge or annulment.
Effect of adjudication on creditors' remedies.
(cf. 1857, s. 262; 1872, s. 68 in pt.)
136.—(1) On the making of an order of adjudication, a creditor to whom the bankrupt is indebted for any debt provable in bankruptcy shall not have any remedy against the property or person of the bankrupt in respect of the debt apart from his rights under this Act, and he shall not commence any proceedings in respect of such debt unless with the leave of the Court and on such terms as the Court may impose.
(2) This section shall not affect the power of a secured creditor to realise or otherwise deal with his security in the same manner as he would have been entitled to realise or deal with it if this section had not been enacted.
Power to stay or restrain proceedings against bankrupt.
(New: cf. 33/1963, s. 217)
137.—(1) The Official Assignee may—
(a) where any proceedings against the bankrupt are pending in the High Court or on appeal in the Supreme Court, apply to the court in which the proceedings are pending for a stay of proceedings therein, and
(b) where any other proceedings are pending against the bankrupt, apply to the High Court to restrain further proceedings therein,
and the court to which the application is made may grant the application on such terms and for such period as it thinks fit.
(cf. 1857, s. 262 in pt.)
(2) Where any proceedings against a bankrupt are stayed or restrained in pursuance of subsection (1), the following provisions shall have effect:
(a) the creditor shall not be liable for any costs incurred by the bankrupt or the Official Assignee in such proceedings;
(b) if the proceedings have been instituted against the bankrupt jointly with any other person, the proceedings against that other person shall not thereby be affected.
Winding up of partnerships and deceased persons' estates.
(New)
138.—(1) The Court may, upon giving notice to such persons as it may direct, make such orders and give such directions as it thinks proper for winding up and settling the affairs of any partnership or the estate of a deceased person in which the bankrupt has an interest.
(2) All consequential accounts and enquiries shall be taken and made in such office of the Court as the Court may direct.
Prohibition on distress after adjudication or protection.
(New)
139.—No distress shall be levied on the goods of a bankrupt or an arranging debtor after the date of the adjudication or order for protection.
Evidence of deceased person.
(1857, s. 365)
140.—In the case of the death of any witness who has made a deposition in any proceeding under this Act the deposition, purporting to be sealed with the seal of the Court, or a copy thereof purporting to be so sealed, shall be evidence of the matters therein deposed to.
Notice in Iris Oifigiúil or newspaper.
(cf. 1857, ss. 358, 364)
141.—A notice published pursuant to this Act in Iris Oifigiúil or in any newspaper shall be evidence of the matters contained in the notice.
Acting in aid of other courts.
(1872, s. 71)
142.—(1) The Court and its officers may act in aid of any court in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, and its officers respectively, at the request of such court, in any bankruptcy matter before such court, and the Court and its officers so acting shall have the like jurisdiction and authority as in the case of a bankruptcy originating under an order of the Court.
(2) (a) The Government may by order apply subsection (1) in relation to any other jurisdiction where the Government are satisfied that reciprocal facilities to that effect will be afforded by that jurisdiction.
(b) An order under this subsection may be made subject to such conditions, exceptions and qualifications as may be specified in the order.
(c) The Government may by order amend or revoke an order under this subsection.
(d) An order under this subsection shall have the force of law in accordance with its terms.
(e) On the revocation of an order applying subsection (1) in relation to any jurisdiction, that subsection shall cease to apply in relation to that jurisdiction.
(f) Every order under this subsection shall be published in Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be.
Alteration of monetary limits.
(New)
143.—The Minister may by order increase or reduce any of the sums specified in sections 8 (1) (a) and (2), 11 (1) (a), 15, 39 (4), 45 (1), 61 (3) (h) and (k), 81 (1) (b) and (c), 92 (2), 95 (2), and 101, but such an order shall not affect any case in which a person was adjudicated bankrupt or granted protection before it came into force.
Laying of orders before Houses of Oireachtas.
(New)
144.—Every order made under section 142 (2) or 143 shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Proof of Debts
General
(New)
1. Every creditor shall prove his debt and a creditor who does not do so is not entitled to share in any distribution that may be made.
2. (a) A creditor may prove his debt by delivering or sending by post to the Official Assignee particulars of his debt (in this Schedule referred to as a “proof of debt”).
(b) Subparagraph (a) is without prejudice to the entitlement of a creditor to prove his debt at a sitting of the Court.
3. The Official Assignee may fix a time within which proofs of debt shall be sent to him. A proof submitted thereafter shall not be allowed except by order of the Court.
4. Proof of debt may be furnished by way of a detailed statement of account, an affidavit of debt or other prescribed means.
5. The creditor shall specify the vouchers or any other evidence by which the debt can be substantiated. He shall also give particulars of any counterclaim that, to his knowledge, the bankrupt or arranging debtor may have, and he shall indicate whether or not he is a secured creditor.
6. Proof of debt in respect of money lent by a moneylender shall have annexed thereto the particulars required by section 16 (2) of the Moneylenders Act, 1933.
7. An affidavit shall be required in any case where the debt is disputed or the Court or the Official Assignee thinks fit.
(1857, s. 246)
8. Proof of debt may be given by the oath or affidavit of the creditor himself or by the oath or affidavit of some person authorised by or on behalf of the creditor and, if made by a person so authorised, shall state his authority and means of knowledge.
9. Subject to paragraph 24 (5), a creditor may, with the consent of the Official Assignee, amend his proof of debt.
10. Every creditor who has lodged a proof of debt is entitled to see and examine the proofs of other creditors.
11. A husband and wife may prove a debt against each other as if they were not married.
(New)
12. A sole trustee (including a personal representative) who is a bankrupt or an arranging debtor shall be entitled, without leave of the Court, to prove in his own bankruptcy or arrangement in respect of a debt due from him to the trust estate. Any dividend in respect of such a debt shall be paid to the Accountant of the High Court for credit of the trust estate.
(1872, s. 48)
13. If any bankrupt or arranging debtor, at the date of the adjudication or order for protection, is liable in respect of distinct contracts, as a member of two or more distinct firms, or as a sole contractor, and also as member of a firm, the circumstance that such firms are, in whole or in part, composed of the same individuals, or that the sole contractor is also one of the joint contractors, shall not prevent proof in respect of such contracts against the properties respectively liable upon such contracts.
(cf. 1857, s. 260)
14. On any debt or sum certain, payable at a certain time or otherwise, whereon interest is not reserved or agreed for, and which is overdue at the date of the adjudication, the creditor may prove for interest at the rate currently payable on judgment debts to that date from the time when the debt or sum was payable, if the debt or sum is payable by virtue of a written instrument at a certain time, and if payable otherwise, then from the time when a demand in writing has been made, giving notice that interest will be claimed from the date of the demand until the time of payment.
(cf. 1857, s. 252)
15. In respect of debts due after the adjudication or order for protection, the liability for which existed at the date of such adjudication or order for protection, a creditor may prove for the value of the debt at that date.
16. Where a person who is liable to make any periodical payment (including rent) is adjudicated bankrupt or is granted an order for protection on a day other than the day on which such payment becomes due, the person entitled to the payment may prove for a proportionate part of the payment for the period from the date when the last payment became due to the date of the adjudication or order for protection as if the payment accrued due from day to day.
(1857, s. 251)
17. (1) Where there are mutual credits or debts as between a bankrupt and any person claiming as a creditor, one debt or demand may be set off against the other and only the balance found owing shall be recoverable on one side or the other.
(2) Section 36 of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 (which provides for the set-off of claims), as amended by section 5 of the Civil Liability (Amendment) Act, 1964, shall apply with the substitution in section 36 (3) of a reference to subparagraph (1) for the reference to section 251 of the Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857.
18. This Schedule is without prejudice to section 61 of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 (which provides for proof of claims for damages or contribution in respect of a wrong) and section 62 of the said Act (which provides for the application of moneys payable under certain policies of insurance where the insured becomes a bankrupt).
19. A creditor shall, unless the Court otherwise orders, bear his own costs of proving a debt.
(1857, s. 246)
20. Any person seeking to prove a debt or from whom additional proof is required, or any other person, may be examined by the Court in relation thereto.
21. Where a creditor or other person with intent to defraud makes any false claim or any proof, declaration or statement of account before the Court or in his affidavit which is untrue in any material particular in connection with the proof of debts, the Court may, in addition to any other penalty provided in this Act, disallow the claim in whole or in part.
22. Before deciding on a claim, the Official Assignee may require a creditor to furnish additional information or proof or to attend before him.
23. The Official Assignee shall deal in the following manner with claims:
(a) He shall prepare a list certified by him of the claims.
(b) This list shall record—
(i) the claims allowed by him, which shall be deemed to be admitted, and
(ii) the claims either disallowed by him or which he considers should not be admitted without reference to the Court.
(c) He shall refer disputed debts to the Court for adjudication.
(d) The decision of the Official Assignee in regard to a claim shall be confirmed in writing to the creditor.
(e) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Official Assignee may appeal to the Court.
(f) The Official Assignee shall place a copy of the list on the Court file.
(g) The list shall be open to public inspection on payment of a prescribed fee but no fee shall be charged to creditors inspecting the list.
Secured Creditors
(1872, s. 21)
24. (1) If a secured creditor realises his security, he may prove for the balance due to him after deducting the net amount realised and receive dividends thereon but not so as to disturb any dividend then already declared. If he surrenders his security for the general benefit of the creditors, he may prove for his whole debt.
(2) If a secured creditor does not either realise or surrender his security, he shall, before ranking for dividend, state in his proof the particulars of his security, the date on which it was given and the value at which he assesses it, and he shall be entitled to receive a dividend only in respect of the balance due to him after deducting the value so assessed.
(3) A secured creditor shall not be entitled to surrender his security after the time fixed by the Official Assignee for receipt of proofs of debt, except by order of the Court.
(4) (a) Where a security is valued by the creditor, the Official Assignee may at any time redeem it on payment to the creditor of the assessed value. If the Official Assignee is dissatisfied with the assessed value he may require that the property comprised in any security so valued be offered for sale at such time and on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between him and the creditor or, in default of agreement, as the Court may direct. If the sale be by public auction the creditor, or the Official Assignee on behalf of the estate, may bid or purchase.
(b) The creditor may, however, at any time by notice in writing require the Official Assignee to elect whether he will or will not exercise his power of redeeming the security or requiring it to be offered for sale, and if the Official Assignee does not, within three months after receiving the notice, signify in writing to the creditor his election to exercise the power, he shall not be entitled to exercise it; and the equity of redemption, or any other interest in the property comprised in the security which is vested in the Official Assignee, shall vest in the creditor and the amount of his debt shall be reduced by the amount at which the security has been valued.
(5) Where a creditor has valued his security he may at any time amend the valuation and proof on showing to the satisfaction of the Official Assignee, or the Court, that the valuation and proof were made bona fide on a mistaken estimate, but every such amendment shall be made at the cost of the creditor, and upon such terms as the Court shall order, unless the Official Assignee allows the amendment without application to the Court.
(6) Where a valuation has been amended in accordance with subparagraph (5), the creditor shall forthwith repay any surplus dividend which he may have received in excess of that to which he would have been entitled on the amended valuation or, as the case may be, shall be entitled to be paid, out of any money for the time being available for dividend, any dividend or share of dividend which he has not received by reason of the inaccuracy of the original valuation before that money is made applicable to the payment of any future dividend but he shall not be entitled to disturb the distribution of any dividend declared before the date of the amendment.
(7) If a creditor having valued his security subsequently realises it, or if it is realised under the provisions of subparagraph (4), the net amount realised shall be substituted for the amount of any valuation previously made by the creditor, and shall be treated in all respects as an amended valuation made by the creditor.
(8) If it is found at any time that the affidavit made by or on behalf of a secured creditor has omitted to state that he is a secured creditor, such creditor shall surrender his security to the Official Assignee for the general benefit of the creditors unless the Court on application otherwise orders, and the Court may allow the affidavit to be amended upon such terms as to repayment of any dividend or otherwise as the Court may consider just.
(9) If a secured creditor does not comply with subparagraph (8), he shall be excluded from all share in any dividend.
(10) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (4), the creditor shall in no case receive more than one pound in the pound and interest, where the creditor is entitled to prove for interest.
(11) Where a mortgagee holds as security a policy of assurance on the life of a bankrupt or an arranging debtor which in the event of the non-payment of premiums provides for their automatic discharge out of moneys payable under the policy, the value of the policy for the purpose of proving in the bankruptcy or arrangement shall be taken to be not less than the value as at the date of adjudication or order for protection; provided that, if the bankrupt or arranging debtor dies before the policy is surrendered, the mortgagee may apply to the Court for the purpose of revaluing his security.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Repeals
Session and Chapter or Year and Number | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
20 and 21 Vict. c. 60 | Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 | The whole Act |
35 and 36 Vict. c. 57 | Debtors Act (Ireland), 1872 | Sections 11 and 12, and 14 to 22 |
35 and 36 Vict. c. 58 | Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872 | The whole Act |
51 and 52 Vict. c. 44 | Local Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1888 | The whole Act |
52 and 53 Vict. c. 60 | Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889 | The whole Act |
53 and 54 Vict. c. 24 | Deeds of Arrangement Amendment Act, 1890 | The whole Act |
1926, No. 27 | Court Officers Act, 1926 | Section 12 |
1937, No. 3 | Circuit Court (Registration of Judgments) Act, 1937 | Section 3 |
1946, No. 16 | Hire-Purchase Act, 1946 | Section 17 (1) so far as it refers to section 313 of the Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 |
1947, No. 14 | Agricultural Credit Act, 1947 | Section 32 (3) |
1954, No. 26 | Arbitration Act, 1954 | In section 11 (1) the words from “and includes” to the end of the subsection. |
1961, No. 39 | In section 23: subsection (3) and the reference to the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court in subsections (4), (5) and (6) | |
1963, No. 33 | Companies Act, 1963 | In section 286 (1), the words “the presentation of a bankruptcy petition on which” Section 345 (8) |
1971, No. 24 | Section 28 (2) | |
1981, No. 11 | Courts Act, 1981 | Section 26 |
Uimhir 27 de 1988
AN tACHT FÉIMHEACHTA, 1988
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | Feidhm an Achta maidir le féimheachtaí agus comhshocraíochtaí a bhí ar marthain. |
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Nós Imeachta I bhFéimheacht
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13. | Comhaontú idir féimheach agus creidiúnaí maidir le hachainí nó gníomh féimheachta. |
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Cásanna Comhpháirtíochta
30. | Caingne ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil agus ag comhpháirtithe féimhigh. |
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Imshocraíocht tar éis Féimheachta
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Féimheach d'fháil bháis tar éis Breithniú
42. |
Féimheacht Iardain
43. |
Riaradh Maoine
Éifeacht Breithnithe ar Mhaoin Féimhigh
44. | |
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48. | Teorainn le cumhachtaí an tSannaí Oifigiúil i ndáil le cóipcheart. |
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53. | |
54. | Urscaoileadh daoine a sheachadann maoin, etc., ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil. |
55. | |
56. |
Tíolacais Chalaoiseacha agus Dheonacha
57. | |
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Forálacha Bainisteoireachta
Eastát a Dháileadh
80. | |
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Comhshocraíochtaí faoi Rialú na Cúirte
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Foirceannadh ag Iontaobhaí
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Eastáit Daoine a Fhaigheann Bás agus iad Dócmhainneach
115. | Achainí chun eastát duine, a fhaigheann bás agus é dócmhainneach, a riaradh i bhféimheacht. |
116. | Éifeacht fógra faoi achainí a sheirbheáil ar ionadaí pearsanta. |
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Cionta
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132. |
Ilghnéitheach
133. | |
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136. | |
137. | Cumhacht chun imeachtaí i gcoinne féimhigh a bhacadh nó a shrianadh. |
138. | Comhpháirtíochtaí agus eastáit daoine éagtha a fhoirceannadh. |
139. | |
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141. | |
142. | |
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144. |
Cruthúnas ar Fhiacha
Aisghairm
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872 | 1872, c. 58 |
Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887 | 1887, c. 57 |
Factors Act, 1889 | 1889, c. 45 |
Fines and Recoveries (Ireland) Act, 1834 | 1834, c. 92 |
Friendly Societies Act, 1896 | 1896, c. 25 |
Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 | 1857, c. 60 |
Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850 | 1850, c. 29 |
Partnership Act, 1890 | 1890, c. 39 |
Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889 | 1889, c. 60 |
Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) (No. 2) Act, 1897 | 1897, c. 66 |
Trustee Savings Banks Act, 1863 | 1863, c. 87 |
Giorruithe Imill
1857—Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857
1872, c. 57—Debtors Act (Ireland), 1872
1872—Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872
1887, c. 57—Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887
1888, c. 44—Local Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1888
1889—Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889
1890, c. 24—Deeds of Arrangement Amendment Act, 1890
33/1963—Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963
16/1964—An tAcht um Chlárú Teidil, 1964
27/1965—An tAcht Comharbais, 1965
36/1971—Acht na gCúirteanna, 1971
R. na nUasch—Rialacha na nUaschúirteanna, 1962
LCR—Local Court Rules, 1888
Uimhir 27 de 1988
AN tACHT FÉIMHEACHTA, 1988
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
[13 Iúil, 1988]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht Féimheachta, 1988, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh ar cibé lá nach déanaí ná 1 Eanáir, 1989 a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú.
Léiriú.
3.—San Acht seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “breithniú” breithniú i bhféimheacht;
tá le “maoin iarfhaighte” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 44 (5);
ciallaíonn “comhshocraíocht” comhshocraíocht de bhun ordaithe cosanta faoi Chuid IV;
ciallaíonn “féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta” féichiúnaí dár deonaíodh ordú cosanta faoi Chuid IV;
ciallaíonn “sannaithe” an Sannaí Oifigiúil agus sannaí na gcreidiúnaithe, más ann;
ciallaíonn “an Cigire Féimheachta” an cigire dá dtagraítear in alt 60 (2);
tá le “toghairm féimheachta” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 8 (1);
folaíonn “tíolacas”, i ndáil le talamh, sannadh agus aistriú;
ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt;
ciallaíonn “sannaí na gcreidiúnaithe” duine a roghnaítear agus a cheaptar amhlaidh faoi alt 18 (1);
folaíonn “talamh” aon eastát nó leas i dtalamh nó aon mhuirear ar thalamh;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt;
ciallaíonn “an Sannaí Oifigiúil” an Sannaí Oifigiúil i bhFéimheacht de thuras na huaire agus a chomharbaí de réir mar a cheaptar agus nuair a cheaptar iad;
ciallaíonn “forordaithe”, ach amháin i ndáil le táillí cúirte, forordaithe le rialacha cúirte;
folaíonn “maoin” airgead, earraí, ábhair i gcaingean, talamh agus gach saghas maoine cibé réadach nó pearsanta agus cibé acu suite sa Stát nó in áit eile; chomh maith leis sin, oibleagáidí, éasúintí, agus gach saghas eastáit, leasa agus brabúis, faoi láthair nó sa todhchaí, sannta nó teagmhasach, a thig as nó a ghabhann le maoin mar a shainmhínítear thuas;
ciallaíonn “cláraithe”, i ndáil le talamh, cláraithe i gClárlann na nGníomhas nó i gClárlann na Talún, de réir mar is cuí;
ciallaíonn “creidiúnaí urraithe” aon chreidiúnaí a shealbhaíonn aon mhorgáiste, muirear nó lian ar eastát an fhéichiúnaí nó ar aon chuid de mar urrús ar fhiach atá dlite dó;
tá le “comhshocraíocht dílseacháin” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 93 (2);
Feidhm an Achta maidir le féimheachtaí agus comhshocraíochtaí a bhí ar marthain.
4.—(1) Ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt san Acht seo, déanfar féimheacht nó comhshocraíocht a bhí ar marthain tráth thosach feidhme an Achta seo a riaradh dá éis sin de réir fhorálacha an Achta seo agus na rialacha faoin Acht seo, gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh nó a fulaingíodh go cuí roimh an tosach feidhme sin.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Achta seo agus ag na rialacha dá réir sin, a mhéid a fhéadfar iad a chur i bhfeidhm agus faoi réir cibé modhnuithe agus oiriúnuithe is iomchuí, amhail is dá mbeadh breithniú déanta ar an bhféimheach, nó ordú cosanta deonaithe don fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, faoin Acht seo.
Caiteachais.
5.—Íocfar as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, na caiteachais faoina rachaidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo.
Aisghairm.
6.—(1) Aisghairtear leis seo, a mhéid a luaitear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin, na hachtacháin a luaitear sa Dara Sceideal.
(2) Aon achainí, toghairm, subpoena, ordú, ordachán, fógra nó ionstraim eile a tíolacadh, a seirbheáladh, a rinneadh nó a eisíodh faoi achtachán aisghairthe agus a bhí i bhfeidhm tráth thosach feidhme an Achta seo, leanfaidh siad de bheith i bhfeidhm agus déileálfar leo ina dhiaidh sin amhail is dá mba faoin Acht seo a tíolacadh, a seirbheáladh, a rinneadh nó a eisíodh iad.
CUID II
Nós Imeachta i bhFéimheacht
Gníomhartha féimheachta.
(1872, a. 21 go páirt.)
7.—(1) Déanann duine aonair (ar a dtugtar “féichiúnaí” san Acht seo) gníomh féimheachta i ngach cás de na cásanna seo a leanas—
(a) má dhéanann sé, sa Stát nó in áit eile, tíolacas nó sannadh ar a chuid maoine ar fad, nó go substaintiúil ar fad, d'iontaobhaí nó d'iontaobhaithe chun leasa a chreidiúnaithe i gcoitinne;
(b) má dhéanann sé, sa Stát nó in áit eile, tíolacas, bronntanas, seachadadh nó aistriú calaoiseach ar a chuid maoine nó ar aon chuid di;
(c) má dhéanann sé, sa Stát nó in áit eile, aon tíolacas nó aistriú ar a chuid maoine nó ar aon chuid di, nó má chruthaíonn sé aon mhuirear ar an gcéanna, a bheadh faoin Acht seo nó faoi aon Acht eile, ar neamhní mar thosaíocht chalaoiseach dá mbreithneofaí ina fhéimheach é;
(d) má fhágann sé an Stát agus é ar intinn aige buachan ar a chreidiúnaithe nó iad a mhoilliú nó, i gcás é bheith las muigh den Stát, má fhanann sé lasmuigh den Stát nó má imíonn sé as a theach cónaithe nó má asláithríonn sé é féin ar shlí eile nó má éalaíonn sé óna chreidiúnaithe ar shlí eile;
(e) má chomhdaíonn sé dearbhú dócmhainneachta sa Chúirt;
(f) i gcás go mbeidh forghníomhú toibhithe ina choinne trína chuid earraí a urghabháil faoi ordú ó chúirt ar bith nó go mbeidh an sirriam nó an cláraitheoir contae, cibé tríd an ordú a fhormhuiniú nó ar shlí eile, tar éis a dhearbhú nach bhfuarthas aon earraí;
(g) i gcás go mbeidh an creidiúnaí a bheidh ag tíolacadh achainí tar éis toghairm féimheachta a sheirbheáil ar an bhféichiúnaí ar an modh forordaithe agus nach ndéanann sé, laistigh de cheithre lá dhéag tar éis sheirbheáil na toghairme, an tsuim a íoc dá dtagraítear sa toghairm nó urrú nó imshocrú ina leith chun sástacht an chreidiúnaí.
(2) Déanann féichiúnaí gníomh féimheachta freisin má mhainníonn sé déanamh de réir thoghairm féichiúnaí a sheirbheáiltear de bhun alt 21 (6) den Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872, laistigh den am iomchuí faoin Acht sin, agus beidh feidhm ag alt 8 (6) den Acht seo maidir leis an toghairm féichiúnaí sin.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag an alt seo, a mhéid is féidir é a chur i bhfeidhm, i ndáil le gníomhartha agus nithe agus i ndáil le faillíocha agus mainneachtanna gníomhartha agus nithe a dhéanamh cibé acu an roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, nó go páirteach roimhe agus go páirteach ina dhiaidh, nó go hiomlán ina dhiaidh a tharlaíonn sin.
Toghairm féimheachta.
(Nua: cf. 1872, a. 30 go páirt.)
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt toghairm (dá ngairtear “toghairm féimheachta” san Acht seo) a dheonú do dhuine (dá ngairtear “an creidiúnaí” san alt seo) a chruthaíonn—
(a) go bhfuil fiach £1,500 nó os a chionn dlite dó den duine a bhfuil an toghairm á hiarraidh ina aghaidh,
(b) gur suim leachtaithe an fiach, agus
(c) gur seirbheáladh fógra san fhoirm fhorordaithe ar an bhféichiúnaí ag éileamh go n-íocfaí an fiach.
(2) Féadfar toghairm féimheachta a dheonú do dhá chreidiúnaí nó níos mó nach comhpháirtithe iad agus ar £1,000 nó níos mó a gcuid fiacha, le chéile. Ina leithéid sin de chás, d'fhonn déanamh de réir na bhforéileamh sa toghairm, ní mór d'fhéichiúnaí na fiacha a íoc nó imshocraíocht a dhéanamh ina leith nó urrús a thabhairt maidir leo do na creidiúnaithe go léir is páirtithe sa toghairm, mura gcomhaontóidh siad ar a mhalairt.
(3) San fhógra ag éileamh go n-íocfaí an fiach leagfar amach sonraí an fhéich atá dlite agus éileofar íocaíocht laistigh de cheithre lá tar éis an fógra a sheirbheáil ar an bhféichiúnaí.
(4) Beidh an toghairm féimheachta san fhoirm fhorordaithe.
(5) Féadfaidh féichiúnaí ar a seirbheáiltear toghairm féimheachta iarratas, ar an modh forordaithe agus laistigh den am forordaithe, a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte chun an toghairm a dhíbhe.
(6) (a) Féadfaidh an Chúirt an toghairm a dhíbhe, le costais nó gan chostais, agus
(b) ní mór don Chúirt an toghairm a dhíbhe más deimhin léi go mbeadh saincheist i gcomhair trialach i gceist.
Féichiúnaí éalaitheach a ghabháil.
(1872, ailt 78, 79 agus 80.)
9.—(1) Má dhealraíonn sé don Chúirt, tar éis toghairm féimheachta a bheith deonaithe in aghaidh féichiúnaí agus sula bhféadfar achainí chun é a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach a thíolacadh ina choinne, go bhfuil cúis dhóchúil ann lena chreidiúint go bhfuil sé ar tí an Stát a fhágáil nó éalú ar shlí eile d'fhonn íoc an fhéich, ar mar gheall air a eisíodh an toghairm féimheachta, a sheachaint nó d'fhonn scrúdú a sheachaint maidir lena ghnóthaí, nó d'fhonn imeachtaí i bhféimheacht a sheachaint nó a mhoilliú ar shlí eile, féadfaidh an Chúirt a chur faoi deara an féichiúnaí sin a ghabháil agus é a bhreith os comhair na Cúirte.
(2) Ní bheidh aon ghabháil faoin alt seo dleathach mura seirbheálfar an toghairm féimheachta ar an bhféichiúnaí sula ngabhfar é nó an tráth a ghabhfar é.
(3) Ar an bhféichiúnaí do thairiscint cibé urrúis, nó ar é do dhéanamh cibé íocaíochta nó imshocraíochta is réasúnach leis an gCúirt, scaoilfear ó choimeád é mura n-ordaíonn an Chúirt a mhalairt.
(4) Ní bheidh aon urrús, íocaíocht ná imshocraíocht den sórt sin díolmhaithe ó fhorálacha an Achta seo i ndáil le tosaíochtaí calaoiseacha.
Achainí.
(1857, a. 116 go páirt.)
10.—Is le hachainí arna fíorú le mionnscríbhinn an achainígh a dhéanfar iarratas ar bhreithniú.
Tíolacadh achainí.
(1872, a. 20)
(1872, a. 21 go páirt.)
(cf. 1857, a. 115)
(Nua: cf. 1857, a. 409)
(1872, a. 21 go páirt.)
(1857, a. 120)
11.—(1) Beidh creidiúnaí i dteideal achainí a thíolacadh le haghaidh breithniú in aghaidh féichiúnaí—
(a) más £1,500 nó níos mó an fiach atá dlite den fhéichiúnaí don chreidiúnaí achainíoch (nó, i gcás dhá chreidiúnaí nó níos mó do dhul i bpáirt i dtíolacadh na hachainí, méid comhiomlán na bhfiacha atá dlite dóibh),
(b) más suim leachtaithe an fiach,
(c) más rud é, maidir leis an ngníomh féimheachta ar a mbunaítear an achainí, gur laistigh de thrí mhí roimh thíolacadh na hachainí a tharla sé, agus
(d) más sa Stát atá sainchónaí ar an bhféichiúnaí (cibé acu an saoránach é nó nach ea) nó má bhí, laistigh de bhliain roimh dháta tíolactha na hachainí, gnáthchónaí air sa Stát nó má bhí teach cónaithe nó áit ghnó aige sa Stát nó má bhí gnó ar siúl aige sa Stát go pearsanta nó trí ghníomhaire nó trí bhainisteoir, nó más comhalta i gcomhpháirtíocht é nó, laistigh den tréimhse sin, má ba chomhalta i gcomhpháirtíocht é, a sheol gnó sa Stát trí chomhpháirtí, trí ghníomhaire nó trí bhainisteoir.
(2) Más creidiúnaí urraithe creidiúnaí a thíolacann an achainí nó a théann i bpáirt i dtíolacadh na hachainí leagfaidh sé amach ina achainí sonraí i dtaobh a urrúis agus luafaidh sé go bhfuil sé toilteanach a urrús a thabhairt suas ar mhaithe leis na creidiúnaithe i gcás go mbreithneofar an féichiúnaí ina fhéimheach nó tabharfaidh sé meastachán ar luach a urrúis. I gcás go dtugann creidiúnaí urraithe meastachán ar luach a urrúis féadfar glacadh leis mar chreidiúnaí achainíoch nó mar chomhchreidiúnaí achainíoch go feadh iarmhéid an fhéich a bheidh dlite dó tar éis an luach arna mheas amhlaidh a asbhaint sa tslí chéanna is dá mba chreidiúnaí neamhurraithe é ach déanfaidh sé, ar iarratas a bheith déanta ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil tar éis dháta an bhreithnithe, a urrús a thabhairt suas don Sannaí Oifigiúil ar mhaithe leis na creidiúnaithe ar an luach measta sin a íoc.
(3) Féadfaidh aon fhéichiúnaí achainí a dhéanamh le haghaidh breithniú ina aghaidh féin.
Costais chreidiúnaí achainígh.
(1857, a. 135)
12.—Tíolacfaidh an creidiúnaí achainíoch a achainí ar a chostas féin agus tabharfaidh sé ar aghaidh é go tráth an tsuí reachtúil dá dtagraítear in alt 17 (3), agus déanfaidh an Chúirt, ag an suí nó dá éis, ordú chun na costais sin a íoc as eastát an fhéimhigh i gcúrsa tosaíochta a shocrófar le rialacha cúirte.
Comhaontú idir féimheach agus creidiúnaí maidir le hachainí nó gníomh féimheachta.
(1857, a. 136)
13.—Ní dhéanfar aon achainí le haghaidh breithniú a dhíbhe ná aon bhreithniú a chur ar neamhní de bhíthin amháin go ndearna an féimheach nó a aturnae agus aon chreidiúnaí nó duine eile comhbheartú nó comhaontú eatarthu i dtaobh na hachainí nó an ghnímh féimheachta.
Breithniú: achainí creidiúnaí.
(1857, a. 127 go páirt.)
(1857, a. 129 go páirt; 36/1971, a. 23 (1))
14.—(1) I gcás gur creidiúnaí a thíolacfaidh an achainí, déanfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, más deimhin léi gur comhlíonadh ceanglais alt 11 (1), an féichiúnaí a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach.
(2) Seirbheálfar cóip den ordú ar an bhféichiúnaí go pearsanta nó trína fágáil ag a áit chónaithe nó a áit ghnó sa Stát.
Breithniú: achainí féichiúnaí.
(R. na nUasch. 0.76, r. 37)
15.—I gcás gur féichiúnaí a thíolacfaidh an achainí, déanfaidh an Chúirt le hordú, ar chruthú nach féidir leis freastal dá ghealltanais i leith a chreidiúnaithe agus go bhfuil an t-eastát dá chuid atá ar fáil leordhóthanach chun £1,500 ar a laghad a dhéanamh, an féichiúnaí a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach.
Cúis a shuíomh in aghaidh breithnithe.
(cf. 1857, a. 129)
16.—(1) Féadfaidh an féimheach, laistigh de thrí lá nó cibé am breise nach faide ná ceithre lá dhéag is cuí leis an gCúirt ón tráth a seirbheáladh an chóip den ordú breithnithe air, cúis a shuíomh don Chúirt in aghaidh bhailíocht an bhreithnithe.
(2) Ar iarratas ar chúis a shuíomh faoi fho-alt (1) déanfaidh an Chúirt, i gcás gur deimhin léi go suíonn an féimheach laistigh den am sin nár comhlíonadh aon cheanglas de cheanglais alt 11 (1), an breithniú a chur ar neamhní agus féadfaidh sí, in aon chás eile, an t-iarratas a dhíbhe nó é a chur ar athló ar cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis an gCúirt ag féachaint do leasanna an fhéimhigh, a chuid creidiúnaithe agus aon daoine eile a d'fhéadfadh creidmheas breise a thabhairt dó.
(3) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a choiscfidh urghabháil láithreach ar earraí an fhéimhigh ar bhreithniú a bheith déanta air.
Fógra breithnithe agus suí reachtúil.
(1857, ailt. 129, 130 go páirt., cf. a. 353)
17.—(1) Beidh éifeacht leis an alt seo—
(a) i gcás achainí creidiúnaí sa chás nach ndearnadh chun sástacht na Cúirte cúis a shuíomh chun an breithniú a chur ar neamhní laistigh den am chun cúis a shuíomh, ar an am sin do dhul in éag;
(b) i gcás achainí féichiúnaí faoi alt 15 nó breithniú féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta faoi alt 105, tráth an bhreithnithe.
(2) Cuirfidh an Chúirt faoi deara go dtabharfar fógra faoin mbreithniú a luaithe is féidir ar an modh forordaithe san Iris Oifigiúil agus i nuachtán laethúil amháin ar a laghad a léitear sa limistéar ina gcónaíonn an féimheach.
(3) Ceapfaidh an Chúirt suí reachtúil a thionólfar laistigh de thrí seachtaine ó fhoilsiú an fhógra agus freastalóidh an féimheach ar an suí sin agus déanfaidh sé nochtadh iomlán ar a chuid maoine don Chúirt, agus féadfaidh a chreidiúnaithe a gcuid fiacha a chruthú agus sannaí creidiúnaithe a roghnú agus a cheapadh.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ar chúis a shuíomh faoi alt 16 (1) a chur ar athló, bac a chur ar fhoilsiú fógra faoin mbreithniú ar urrús a bheith tugtha ag an bhféimheach nó ar cibé coinníollacha eile is cuí leis an gCúirt.
Sannaí na gcreidiúnaithe.
(1857, ailt 64, 265)
18.—(1) Féadfaidh na creidiúnaithe, ag an suí reachtúil dá dtagraítear in alt 17 (3), duine (dá ngairtear “sannaí na gcreidiúnaithe” san Acht seo) a roghnú agus a cheapadh chun feidhmiú dóibh i riaradh eastát an fhéimhigh.
(2) Beidh gach creidiúnaí i dteideal vótáil sa roghnú sin go pearsanta nó trí ghníomhaire a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn chuige sin, agus is tríd an bpríomh-chuid de na creidiúnaithe ó thaobh luacha a dhéanfar an roghnú agus an ceapachán.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt diúltú d'aon duine a roghnaíodh amhlaidh a ndealraíonn sé don Chúirt é bheith neamhinniúil chun bheith ina shannaí creidiúnaithe nó féadfaidh sí sannaí creidiúnaithe a chur as oifig agus i gcás folúntais, cibé slí a tharlóidh sé, féadfar roghnú agus ceapachán nua a dhéanamh sa tslí chéanna.
(4) Féadfaidh creidiúnaí a fhiach a chruthú d'fhonn sannaí creidiúnaithe a cheapadh.
Dualgais féimhigh.
(1857, a. 132 go páirt.)
19.—Déanfaidh an féimheach—
(a) mura n-ordóidh an Chúirt a mhalairt, cibé leabhair chuntas nó páipéir eile a bhaineann lena eastát agus atá ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú agus a iarrfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil ó am go ham a sheachadadh láithreach ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil agus a nochtadh dó cé na leabhair nó na páipéir díobh atá i seilbh nó faoi rialú aon duine eile;
(b) seilbh ar aon chuid dá mhaoin is inroinnte i measc a chreidiúnaithe faoin Acht seo, agus atá de thuras na huaire ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú, a sheachadadh ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil nó ar aon duine a bheidh údaraithe ag an gCúirt nó ar shlí eile faoi fhorálacha an Achta seo chun seilbh a thógáil ar an gcuid sin;
(c) mura n-ordóidh an Chúirt a mhalairt, ráiteas gnóthaí san fhoirm fhorordaithe a chomhdú sa Phríomh-Oifig laistigh den am forordaithe agus cóip de a sheachadadh ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil;
(d) gach cúnamh réasúnta a thabhairt don Sannaí Oifigiúil i riaradh an eastáit;
(e) aon mhaoin iarfhaighte a nochtadh don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
Athrú ar ainm nó ar sheoladh, etc.
(Nua)
20.—(1) Déanfaidh féimheach aon athrú ar a ainm nó ar a sheoladh a tharlaíonn le linn a fhéimheachta a chur in iúl i scríbhinn láithreach don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(2) Chun críocha fho-alt (1) measfar athrú a bheith ar ainm féimhigh má úsáideann an féimheach go hiarbhír ainm difriúil nó ainm breise.
(3) Aon uair a cheanglóidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil air déanamh amhlaidh, cuirfidh féimheach in iúl láithreach don Sannaí Oifigiúil i scríbhinn cad é cineál aon slí bheatha, gairme, gnó nó fostaíochta a chleachtann sé.
(4) Aon fhéimheach a mhainníonn déanamh de réir aon fhoráil d'fhorálacha an ailt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Féimheach agus daoine eile a scrúdú.
(1857, ailt. 305 go páirt., 306, 307, 308, 310; cf. 33/1963, a. 245)
21.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt féimheach nó aon duine arb eol go bhfuil nó a bhfuil drochamhras ann go bhfuil aon mhaoin de chuid an fhéimhigh ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú nó aon mhaoin de chuid an fhéimhigh diúscartha aige nó a shíltear a bheith i bhfiacha ag an bhféimheach, nó aon duine a fhéadfaidh, i dtuairim na Cúirte, faisnéis a thabhairt i ndáil le trádáil, déileálacha, gnóthaí nó maoin an fhéimhigh, a ghairm os a comhair.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt é a scrúdú faoi mhionn maidir leis na nithe a dúradh, de bhriathra béil nó ar agarcheisteanna i scríbhinn, agus féadfaidh sí a fhreagraí a chur síos i scríbhinn agus a cheangal air iad a shíniú.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt a cheangal air aon leabhair chuntas agus aon pháipéir ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú a bhaineann leis na nithe réamhráite a thabhairt ar aird ach i gcás go n-éilíonn sé aon lian ar leabhair nó ar pháipéir a thabharfaidh sé ar aird, ní dhéanfaidh a dtabhairt ar aird dochar don lian sin agus féadfaidh an Chúirt gach ceist a chinneadh i ndáil leis an lian.
(4) Ní bheidh féimheach ná duine eile a scrúdófar faoin alt seo i dteideal diúltú freagra a thabhairt ar aon cheist a chuirfear air ar an bhforas go bhféadfadh a fhreagra é a ionchoiriú ach ní bheidh aon fhreagra dá chuid inghlactha i bhfianaise ina choinne in aon imeachtaí eile, sibhialta nó coiriúil, ach amháin i gcás aon imeachtaí coiriúla mar gheall ar mhionnú éithigh i leith aon fhreagra den sórt sin.
Fiach atá dlite do fhéimheach a admháil.
(cf. 1857, a. 311)
22.—Má dhealraíonn sé go bhfuil aon duine, ar é a scrúdú, i bhfiacha ag an bhféimheach nó go bhfuil aon mhaoin de chuid an fhéimhigh ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón Sannaí Oifigiúil, a ordú dó an méid nó aon chuid de a íoc leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil ag cibé am agus i cibé slí is cuí leis an gCúirt nó an mhaoin sin nó aon chuid di a sheachadadh ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil ag cibé tráth agus i cibé slí agus ar cibé téarmaí a ordóidh an Chúirt.
Gabháil féimhigh, etc.
(cf. 1857, ailt. 124, 125)
(cf. 1857, a. 305 go páirt.)
(cf. 1857, a. 308 go páirt.)
23.—(1) Má dhealraíonn sé don Chúirt, aon tráth tar éis ordú breithnithe a dhéanamh, ar chruthú a bheith aici go bhfuil cúis dhóchúil ann lena chreidiúint go bhfuil féimheach ar tí an Stát a fhágáil nó éalú ar shlí eile nó go ndearna sé nó go bhfuil sé ar tí aon mhaoin dá chuid a aistriú nó a cheilt agus é d'intinn aige íoc a chuid fiach a sheachaint nó scrúdú a sheachaint maidir lena ghnóthaí, nó go bhfuil sé ag fanacht as an mbealach agus nach féidir toghairm a sheirbheáil air, féadfaidh an Chúirt a chur faoi deara é a ghabháil agus é a thabhairt os a comhair le haghaidh scrúdú.
(2) Má ghairtear féimheach os comhair na Cúirte de bhun alt 21 agus nach dtiocfaidh sé ag an am a bheidh ceaptha gan leithscéal a bheith aige (a bheidh curtha i bhfios don Chúirt ag tráth a suite agus a bheidh ceadaithe aici) féadfaidh an Chúirt a chur faoi deara é a ghabháil agus a thabhairt os a comhair le haghaidh scrúdú.
(3) Má mhainníonn duine ar bith a ghairtear os comhair na Cúirte de bhun alt 21, tar éis suim réasúnach le haghaidh a chuid caiteachas a thairiscint dó, teacht os comhair na Cúirte ag an am a bheidh ceaptha gan leithscéal a bheith aige (a bheidh curtha i bhfios don Chúirt ag tráth a suite agus a bheidh ceadaithe aici) féadfaidh an Chúirt a chur faoi deara é a ghabháil agus a thabhairt os a comhair le haghaidh scrúdú.
(4) Ní dhéanann forálacha fho-ailt (2) agus (3) dochar do chumhachtaí na Cúirte i ndáil le díspeagadh nó lena chur ar fhinnéithe a bheith i láthair.
Cimiú chun príosúin.
(1857, a. 385)
24.—Má dhiúltaíonn an féimheach nó aon duine a ghairtear nó a thugtar os comhair na Cúirte mionn a ghlacadh nó má dhiúltaíonn nó má mhainníonn sé freagra a thabhairt ar aon cheist dhleathach a chuireann an Chúirt air nó mura bhfreagraíonn sé aon cheist den sórt sin go hiomlán nó má dhiúltaíonn sé a scrúdú a shíniú agus a fhoscríobh ar é a bheith curtha síos i scríbhinn (gan aon leithscéal dleathach a bheith aige a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gCúirt) nó déanamh de réir aon ordú ón gCúirt faoin Acht seo, féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú an duine sin a chimiú chun príosúin d'fhonn fanacht le hordú eile de chuid na Cúirte.
Daoine i gcoimeád a scrúdú.
(1872, a. 73)
25.—Má bhíonn an féimheach nó duine ar bith i bpríosún de bhun ordú de chuid na Cúirte faoi alt 24, féadfaidh an Chúirt le barántas a bheidh dírithe chuig rialtóir an phríosúin a ordú é a thabhairt os comhair na Cúirte. I gcás go ndeimhneoidh duine den sórt sin don Chúirt go ndearna sé de réir a cuid ceanglas dleathach ordóidh an Chúirt é a scaoileadh saor ó choimeád. In aon chás eile féadfar é a thógáil ar ais go dtí an príosún gan aon ordú eile.
Scaoileadh féimhigh as príosún.
(Nua)
26.—Má bhíonn féimheach i bpríosún de bhua alt 6 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, mar gheall ar fhiach a thabhaigh sé roimh bhreithniú, féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú a thabhairt é a scaoileadh saor.
Barántas urghabhála.
(1857, a. 72 go páirt.)
27.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt le barántas a ordú don Chigire Féimheachta nó d'aon chúntóir dá chuid aon mhaoin de chuid an fhéimhigh a urghabháil.
(2) Féadfaidh oifigeach a bheidh ag gníomhú faoin mbarántas aon chuid de mhaoin an fhéimhigh atá i seilbh nó faoi rialú an fhéimhigh a urghabháil agus féadfaidh sé, d'fhonn aon mhaoin den sórt sin a urghabháil, dul isteach, agus briseadh isteach más gá, in aon teach, foirgneamh, seomra nó áit eile de chuid an fhéimhigh a gceaptar go bhfuil aon chuid dá chuid maoine ann.
Barántas cuardaigh.
(cf. 1857, a. 326)
28.—Má dhealraíonn sé don Chúirt go bhfuil cúis ann lena chreidiúint go bhfuil maoin ar bith de chuid an fhéimhigh ceilte in aon teach, foirgneamh, seomra nó áit eile nach leis an bhféimheach, féadfaidh an Chúirt barántas cuardaigh a dheonú don Chigire Féimheachta nó d'aon chúntóir dá chuid, nó do dhuine eile a bheidh ceaptha ag an gCúirt agus féadfaidh siadsan an barántas a fhorghníomhú de réir a bhrí.
Slánaíocht do dhaoine a ghníomhaíonn faoi bharántas.
(1857, a. 327)
29.—Ní bheidh an Cigire Féimheachta ná a chuid cúntóirí, ná duine eile a bheidh ceaptha ag an gCúirt, faoi dhliteanas mar gheall ar aon ní a rinneadh bona fide de bhun aon bharántais de chuid na Cúirte.
Cásanna Comhpháirtíochta
Caingne ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil agus ag comhpháirtithe féimhigh.
(cf. 1857, a. 278)
30.—Má bhreithnítear comhalta de chomhpháirtíocht ina fhéimheach féadfaidh an Chúirt a údarú don Sannaí Oifigiúil aon chaingean a thosú agus a thabhairt ar aghaidh in ainmneacha an tSannaí Oifigiúil agus chomhpháirtí an fhéimhigh chun aon fhiach atá dlite do na comhpháirtithe, nó aon mhaoin dá gcuid, a ghnóthú agus beidh aon scaoileadh ar an bhfiach nó ar an éileamh lena mbaineann an chaingean, ag comhpháirtí den sórt sin, ar neamhní; ach déanfar fógra i dtaobh an iarratais ar údarás chun an chaingean a thosú a thabhairt do chomhpháirtí an fhéimhigh agus féadfaidh sé cúis a shuíomh ina coinne agus, ar iarratas uaidh, féadfaidh an Chúirt, más cuí léi, a ordú go bhfaighidh sé a chion cóir d'fháltais na caingne. Mura n-éileoidh an comhpháirtí aon tairbhe ón gcaingean slánófar é in aghaidh costas ina leith de réir mar a ordóidh an Chúirt.
Achainí in aghaidh comhpháirtí amháin nó níos mó.
(cf. 1857, a. 122)
31.—(1) Aon chreidiúnaí ar leor a fhiach chun é bheith i dteideal achainí ar bhreithniú a thíolacadh i gcoinne gach comhpháirtí i ngnólacht féadfaidh sé achainí a thíolacadh i gcoinne aon chomhpháirtí amháin nó níos mó den ghnólacht gan an chuid eile a áireamh.
(2) Má thíolactar achainí ar bhreithniú i gcoinne níos mó ná duine amháin féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú breithnithe a dhéanamh i gcoinne duine amháin, nó níos mó ná duine amháin díobh agus an achainí a dhíbhe maidir leis an gcuid eile.
Cuntais chomhpháirtíochta a sholáthar don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(Nua)
32.—Má bhreithnítear comhalta de chomhpháirtíocht ina fhéimheach féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil a cheangal ar an gcomhpháirtí eile nó ar na comhpháirtithe eile cibé cuntais agus faisnéis a sheachadadh ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil a bhaineann leis an eastát comhpháirtíochta agus le leas an fhéimhigh ann (arna fhíorú go cuí le mionnscríbhinn más gá) de réir mar a cheapfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil a bheith riachtanach.
Dualgas comhpháirtí féimhigh.
(Nua)
33.—Má bhreithnítear comhalta de chomhpháirtíocht ina fhéimheach déanfaidh sé ráiteas gnóthaí ar leith san fhoirm fhorordaithe maidir leis an gcomhpháirtíocht a sheachadadh ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil laistigh den am forordaithe.
Cómhacin agus maoin leithleach.
(Nua)
34.—(1) I gcás comhpháirtithe beidh an chómhaoin infheidhme sa chéad ásc chun íoc as a gcomhfhiacha, agus beidh maoin leithleach gach comhpháirtí infheidhme sa chéad ásc chun íoc as a fhiacha leithleacha.
(2) I gcás barrachas cómhaoine a bheith ann déileálfar leis mar chuid de na maoine leithleacha faoi seach i gcomhréir le ceart agus leas gach comhpháirtí sa chómhaoin.
(3) I gcás barrachas d'aon mhaoin leithleach a bheith ann déileálfar leis mar chuid den chómhaoin a mhéid is gá chun fónamh d'aon easnamh ar an gcómhaoin.
Caingne i dtaobh comhchonarthaí.
(Nua)
35.—I gcás féimheach a bheith páirteach i gconradh i gcomhpháirt le haon duine eile, féadfaidh an duine eile sin agra a dhéanamh, nó féadfar agra a dhéanamh ina aghaidh, i leith an chonartha gan dul i bpáirt leis an bhféimheach.
Imeachtaí in ainm comhpháirtíochta.
(Nua)
36.—(1) Féadfaidh aon bheirt nó níos mó ar comhpháirtithe iad, nó aon duine a sheolann gnó faoi ainm comhpháirtíochta, imeachtaí a thionscnamh faoin Acht seo nó féadfar imeachtaí a thionscnamh ina n-aghaidh faoin Acht seo, in ainm an ghnólachta, ach i gcás den sórt sin féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ó aon duine ar leas leis é, ordú a thabhairt ainm na ndaoine a nochtadh i cibé slí agus iad a fhíorú faoi mhionn nó ar shlí eile, mar a ordóidh an Chúirt.
(2) D'ainneoin aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) ní dhéanfar aon ordú breithnithe in aghaidh gnólachta in ainm an ghnólachta ach déanfar é in aghaidh na gcomhpháirtithe go haonarach agus ainm an ghnólachta curtha leo.
Comhpháirtíochtaí teoranta.
(33/1963. a. 345 (8))
37.—Faoi réir cibé modhnuithe a dhéanfar le rialacha cúirte, beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Achta seo maidir le comhpháirtíochtaí teoranta sa tslí chéanna amhail is dá mba ghnáth-chomhpháirtíochtaí comhpháirtíochtaí teoranta agus, ar na comhpháirtithe ginearálta uile i gcomhpháirtíocht teoranta a bheith breithnithe ina bhféimhigh, dílseoidh sócmhainní na comhpháirtíochta teoranta don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
Imshocraíocht tar éis Féimheachta
Bac ar réadú eastáit.
(Nua)
38.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ó fhéimheach, bac a dheonú ar réadú a eastáit ar feadh cibé ama agus faoi cibé coinníollacha is cuí léi, chun a chumasú dó nó d'aon daoine a bheidh ag gníomhú thar a cheann tairiscint imshocraíochta a dhéanamh dá chuid creidiúnaithe faoi alt 39.
Tairiscint imshocraíochta.
(cf. 1857, ailt. 149, 150 go páirt., 1872, alt 61)
39.—(1) I gcás bac ar réadú eastáit féimhigh a bheith deonaithe faoi alt 38, gairfidh an féimheach cruinniú dá chuid creidiúnaithe os comhair na Cúirte chun tairiscint imshocraíochta a dhéanamh dóibh.
(2) Deich lá ar a laghad roimh an gcruinniú, déanfar fógra i dtaobh an chruinnithe ina sonrófar go beacht an tairiscint imshocraíochta atá le déanamh a chur isteach san Iris Oifigiúil agus a chur freisin leis an bpost chuig gach creidiúnaí ag an seoladh is deireanaí is eol a bhí aige.
(3) Má dhéanann an féimheach tairiscint imshocraíochta nó má dhéantar sin thar a cheann agus go nglacann trí chúigiú de na creidiúnaithe, ó thaobh lín agus luacha, a vótálann ag an gcruinniú, cibé go pearsanta nó trí ghníomhaire a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn chuige sin, leis an tairiscint nó le haon mhodhnú uirthi, measfar go mbeidh glactha léi agus ar an tairiscint a bheith ceadaithe ag an gCúirt beidh sí ina ceangal ar chreidiúnaithe uile an fhéimhigh.
(4) Ní bheidh creidiúnaí i dteideal vótáil más lú ná £100 an fiach a bheidh dlite dó.
(5) Más rud é ar chúis ar bith nach mbeidh ráiteas faoina ghnóthaí comhdaithe ag an bhféimheach mar a cheanglaítear le halt 19 (c), déanfaidh sé amhlaidh ag an gcruinniú nó roimhe.
(6) Féadfar fiacha a chruthú ag an gcruinniú.
Imshocraíocht a íoc.
(Nua)
40.—(1) Beidh aon imshocraíocht iníoctha mar a leanas—
(a) in airgead tirim, laistigh de mhí amháin ó cheadú na tairisceana imshocraíochta ag an gCúirt nó laistigh de cibé am breise a lamhálfaidh an Chúirt, nó
(b) i dtráthchodanna, a mbeidh gach tráthchuid díobh urraithe chun sástacht na gcreidiúnaithe, nó
(c) go páirteach in airgead tirim agus go páirteach i dtráthchodanna a bheidh iníoctha nó urraithe mar a dúradh.
(2) Ní dhéanfar i gcás ar bith tráthchuid a urrú le bille, nóta nó urrús eile a bheidh sínithe ag an bhféimheach agus aigesean amháin nó infheidhmithe ina choinne amháin.
(3) Beidh discréid ag an gCúirt diúltú tairiscint a cheadú a bheidh iníoctha go hiomlán nó go páirteach i dtráthchodanna mura mbeidh an tráthchuid dheireanach iníoctha laistigh de dhá bhliain.
Ordú breithnithe a urscaoileadh.
(Nua)
41.—Ar iarratas ón bhféimheach nó óna ionadaithe pearsanta, déanfaidh an Chúirt, tráth na tuarascála ón Sannaí Oifigiúil agus mura bhfuil calaois i gceist, an t-ordú breithnithe a urscaoileadh—
(a) i gcás imshocraíochta is iníoctha in airgead tirim, ar an méid a lóisteáil leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil is gá chun íoc as an imshocraíocht, na caiteachais, na táillí, na costais, cibé suimeanna breise a ordóidh an Chúirt agus as na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta;
(b) i gcás imshocraíochta is iníoctha i dtráthchodanna a bheidh urraithe chun sástacht na gcreidiúnaithe, ar na billí, na nótaí nó na hurrúis eile comhlánaithe a lóisteáil leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil mar aon leis an méid is gá chun íoc as caiteachais, táillí, costais, cibé suimeanna breise a ordóidh an Chúirt agus as na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta;
(c) i gcás imshocraíochta is iníoctha go páirteach in airgead tirim agus go páirteach i dtráthchodanna a bheidh urraithe chun sástacht na gcreidiúnaithe, ar na billí, na nótaí nó na hurrúis eile comhlánaithe a lóisteáil leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil mar aon leis an méid is gá chun íoc as an imshocraíocht airgid, as caiteachais, táillí, costais, cibé suimeanna breise a ordóidh an Chúirt agus as na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta.
Féimheach d'fháil bháis tar éis Breithniú
Féimheach d'fháil bháis tar éis breithniú.
(1857, a. 137)
42.—Má fhaigheann féimheach bás féadfaidh an Chúirt dul ar aghaidh leis an bhféimheacht amhail is dá mba bheo dó.
Féimheacht Iardain
Féimheacht iardain.
(Nua)
43.—(1) Má bhreithnítear féimheach athuair, dílseoidh an mhaoin iarfhaighte go léir nach mbeidh éilithe ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil ar dháta na féimheachta iardain, don Sannaí Oifigiúil, má éilíonn sé í, chun creidmheas na féimheachta iardain.
(2) Déanfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil aon mhaoin iarfhaighte nó na fáltais ón maoin sin a bheidh ina sheilbh ar dháta na féimheachta iardain a aistriú chun creidmheas na féimheachta iardain (tar éis dó a chostais agus a chaiteachais a asbhaint).
(3) Aistreofar chun creidmheas na hiarfhéimheachta aon bharrachas a éireoidh de dhroim na féimheachta iardain.
CUID III
Riaradh Maoine
Éifeacht Breithnithe ar Mhaoin Féimhigh
Maoin a dhílsiú don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(1857, ailt. 267, 268, 273).
44.—(1) I gcás duine a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach, ansin, faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, dílseoidh maoin uile an duine sin, ar dháta an bhreithnithe, don Sannaí Oifigiúil chun leasa chreidiúnaithe an fhéimhigh.
(2) Maidir le teideal an tSannaí Oifigiúil chun aon mhaoine a dhílsíonn dó de bhua fho-alt (1) ní thosóidh sé, faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, ar aon dáta is luaithe ná dáta an bhreithnithe.
(3) Folaíonn an mhaoin lena mbaineann fo-alt (1)—
(a) na cumhachtaí go léir a dhílsítear don fhéimheach agus a d'fhéadfadh sé a fheidhmiú go dlíthiúil i ndáil le haon mhaoin díreach roimh dháta an bhreithnithe;
(b) an mhaoin go léir ab ábhar d'aon tíolacas nó aistriú a dhearbhaítear le hailt 57, 58 agus 59 a bheith ar neamhní amhail i gcoinne an tSannaí Oifigiúil, faoi réir chearta aon daoine a chaomhnaítear leis na hailt sin.
(4) Ní fholaíonn an mhaoin lena mbaineann fo-alt (1)—
(a) maoin a shealbhaíonn an féimheach ar iontaobhas d'aon duine eile, ná
(b) aon suim a dhílsíonn don Sannaí Oifigiúil faoi alt 7 (1) (a) den Acht um Cheantálaithe agus Gníomhairí Tithe, 1967, nó alt 30 (i) d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1971.
(5) Gan dochar d'aon phrionsabal atá ar marthain nó d'aon riail dlí nó cothromais, do chleachtas nó do ghnáthamh bunaithe i ndáil le damáistí nó cúiteamh a ghnóthaíonn féimheach nó is inghnóthaithe aige mar gheall ar dhíobháil nó caillteanas pearsanta a d'fhulaing sé, aon mhaoin a fuair féimheach nó a chineachaigh chuige roimh urscaoileadh nó neamhniú an ordaithe breithnithe (dá ngairtear “maoin iarfhaighte” san Acht seo) dílseoidh sí don Sannaí Oifigiúil má éilíonn sé agus an tráth a éilíonn sé í.
Earraí eiscthe.
(1857, ailt 298, 299)
45.—(1) Beidh féimheach i dteideal seilbh a choimeád, mar earraí eiscthe, ar cibé baill éadaí, troscán tí, leapachas, uirlisí nó trealamh a cheirde nó a shlí bheatha nó earraí riachtanacha eile dá samhail dó féin, dá bhanchéile, dá leanaí agus dá ghaolta cleithiúnacha a chónaíonn leis, mar a roghnóidh sé, nach mó a luach ná £2,500 nó cibé méid eile a lamhálfaidh an Chúirt ar iarratas ón bhféimheach.
(2) I gcás go ndéanfaidh féimheach, tar éis dó na hítimí arb iad na hearraí eiscthe iad a roghnú, a iarraidh i scríbhinn ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil gan a mbeidh fágtha d'aon earraí den chineál dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) a dhiúscairt, ní dhiúscróidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil iad sin ach amháin de réir ordaithe de chuid na Cúirte.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón bhféimheach nó ón Sannaí Oifigiúil, i ndáil lena mbeidh fágtha d'earraí den sórt sin—
(a) a n-aistriú agus a ndíol a chur siar;
(b) a cheadú iad d'fhanacht in úsáid ag an bhféimheach;
(c) a ordú, tráth ar bith, iad a thógáil ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil nó thar a cheann agus iad a dhíol chun leasa na gcreidiúnaithe.
Deimhniú i dtaobh dílsiú maoine don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(cf. 1857, a. 269)
46.—(1) Más rud é, de réir dlí, go gceanglaítear clárú a dhéanamh ar aon tíolacas talún agus go ndílsíonn an talamh sin don Sannaí Oifigiúil faoin gCuid seo, eiseofar deimhniú chuige faoi shéala na Cúirte mar fhianaise ar an dílsiú agus cuirfidh sé faoi deara an deimhniú a chlárú a luaithe is féidir amhail is dá mba thíolacas é, agus beidh an éifeacht chéanna chun gach críche ag clárú an deimhnithe a bheadh ag clárú tíolacais.
(2) Maidir le teideal aon cheannaitheora a cheannaigh aon talamh den sórt sin ar chomaoin luachmhar, de mheon macánta agus d'éagmais fógra faoin mbreithniú, agus a chláraigh an tíolacas go cuí roimh chlárú an deimhnithe, ní bheidh sé neamhbhailí de bhíthin an bhreithnithe mura gclárófar an deimhniú laistigh de dhá mhí tar éis dháta an bhreithnithe.
Airgead agus urrúis áirithe a dhílsiú don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(Nua)
47.—D'ainneoin aon fhorála in aon achtachán eile—
(a) aon airgead i mBanc Taisce an Phoist nó i mbanc taisce iontaobhais a bhfuil teideal ag féimheach chuige, nó
(b) aon urrúis a eisíonn an tAire Airgeadais tríd an bPost faoina chumhachtaí reachtúla chun iasachtaí a fháil agus a bhfuil teideal ag féimheach chucu,
dílseoidh an t-airgead nó na hurrúis sin, tráth breithnithe an fhéimhigh, don Sannaí Oifigiúil, ar an tslí chéanna le haon mhaoin eile.
Teorainn le cumhachtaí an tSannaí Oifigiúil i ndáil le cóipcheart.
(Nua)
48.—Más rud é go gcuimsíonn maoin féimhigh an chóipcheart in aon saothar nó aon leas i gcóipcheart den sórt sin agus go ndlífidh sé ríchíosanna nó sciar de na brabúis ina leith a íoc leis an údar—
(a) ní bheidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil i dteideal aon chóipeanna den saothar a dhíol ná a údarú aon chóipeanna de a dhíol, ná an saothar a léiriú ná léiriú den saothar a údarú, ach amháin de réir na dtéarmaí go n-íocfar leis an údar cibé suimeanna ar mhodh ríchíosa nó sciar de na brabúis a bheadh iníoctha ag an bhféimheach, agus
(b) ní bheidh sé i dteideal an ceart a shannadh ná an leas a aistriú ná aon leas sa cheart a dheonú le ceadúnas, ach amháin le toiliú an údair nó na Cúirte agus ar théarmaí a áiritheoidh íocaíochtaí don údar ar mhodh ríchíosa nó sciar de na brabúis de réir ráta nach lú ná an ráta a dhlígh an féimheach a íoc.
Clásal sriantach i gcomhaontú nó i léas.
(Nua)
49.—(1) Beidh gach cúnant nó foráil d'fhorghéilleadh léasa tráth féimheachta an léasaí ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil.
(2) Aon chlásal i gcomhaontú fruilcheannaigh a airbheartaíonn an comhaontú a fhoirceannadh tráth féimheachta an fhruilitheora, beidh sé ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil.
Forghníomhú in aghaidh maoine féichiúnaí roimh bhreithniú.
(cf. 1872, a. 54)
50.—(1) I gcás go ndearnadh earraí nó leas léasachta i dtalamh de chuid féichiúnaí a urghabháil faoi ordú forghníomhaithe agus a dhíol, nó i gcás gur íocadh airgead, mar pháirt-shásamh nó mar lán-sásamh ar an bhforghníomhú, leis an sirriam nó leis an gcláraitheoir contae nó leis an gcreidiúnaí forghníomhaithe d'fhonn urghabháil nó díol faoin bhforghníomhú sin a sheachaint, coinneoidh an sirriam, an cláraitheoir contae nó an creidiúnaí forghníomhaithe fáltais an díola nó an t-airgead a íocadh amhlaidh, ar feadh tréimhse lá is fiche.
(2) Más rud é, laistigh den tréimhse sin, go bhfaighidh an sirriam, an cláraitheoir contae nó an creidiúnaí forghníomhaithe fógra faoi bhreithniú an fhéichiúnaí, géillfidh sé an mhaoin don Sannaí Oifigiúil nó íocfaidh sé leis fáltais an díola nó aon airgead a íocadh mar shásamh ar an bhforghníomhú agus beidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil i dteideal an mhaoin, na fáltais nó an t-airgead, de réir mar a bheidh, a choinneáil amhail in aghaidh an chreidiúnaí forghníomhaithe.
(3) Aon fhorghníomhú a thoibheofar trí urghabháil a dhéanamh ar aon mhaoin den sórt sin de chuid an fhéichiúnaí ní bheidh sé neamhbhailí de bhíthin amháin gur gníomh féimheachta é agus aon duine a cheannóidh an mhaoin de mheon macánta faoi dhíolachán ag an sirriam nó ag an gcláraitheoir contae, gheobhaidh sé teideal maith chuici amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil.
(4) Má dhéanann sirriam nó cláraitheoir contae, gan fógra faoi bhreithniú an fhéichiúnaí, fáltais díola nó airgead eile a choinnigh sé de bhun fho-alt (1) a íoc leis an gcreidiúnaí forghníomhaithe tar éis lá is fiche a bheith caite, ní bheidh sé faoi dhliteanas ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil maidir leis an íocaíocht.
(5) Má ghéilltear maoin nó má íoctar fáltais díola nó airgead eile leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil beidh costais an fhorghníomhaithe ina thúsmhuirear ar an gcéanna agus féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil an mhaoin go léir nó cuid di a dhíol chun an muirear a ghlanadh.
Tosaíocht mhorgáiste breithiúnais.
(1857, a. 331)
51.—(1) Creidiúnaí breithiúnais a chláraíonn mionnscríbhinn dá bhreithiúnas de réir ailt 6 agus 7 den Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850, ní bheidh sé, de bhíthin an chláraithe sin, i dteideal aon tosaíochta ar chreidiúnaithe conartha shimplí i gcás an duine ar ina choinne a chláraítear an mhionnscríbhinn sin a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach, mura mbeidh an mhionnscríbhinn cláraithe trí mhí ar a laghad roimh dháta an bhreithnithe.
(2) Déanfar an tagairt in alt 284 (2) d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, d'alt 331 den Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 (a aisghairtear leis an Acht seo) a fhorléiriú mar thagairt d'fho-alt (1) agus dá réir sin déanfar an tagairt san alt sin 284 (2) do chomhdú na hachainí a léamh mar thagairt do dháta an bhreithnithe.
Ordú an ceannaitheoir a chur i seilbh.
(1872, a. 75)
52.—I gcás talamh de chuid féimhigh nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a bheith díolta faoi fhorálacha an Achta seo nó a bheith díolta ag an gCúirt nó faoi ordú uaithi, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón gceannaitheoir, ordú a eisiúint á ordú don sirriam nó don chláraitheoir contae iomchuí an ceannaitheoir a chur i seilbh na talún go léir nach bhfuil á áitiú ag léasaithe, ag fo-léasaithe nó ag tionóntaí, ar faoi réir a leasa a rinneadh an díol agus a d'aturnaigh chuig an gceannaitheoir laistigh d'am a chinnfear san ordú, agus forghníomhófar an t-ordú ar an modh céanna le hordú maidir le seachadadh seilbhe.
Cead ag morgáistí imthairiscint a dhéanamh tráth díola.
(1857, a. 316)
53.—Féadfaidh morgáistí aon mhaoine de chuid féimhigh nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, le cead na Cúirte, imthairiscint agus ceannach a dhéanamh tráth díola na maoine.
Urscaoileadh daoine a sheachadann maoin, etc., ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(cf. 1857, a. 281)
54.—Maidir le duine—
(a) óna ngnóthaíonn an Sannaí Oifigiúil aon mhaoin de chuid féimhigh, nó
(b) a dhéanann, gan aon imeachtaí dlí, seilbh aon mhaoine den sórt sin a sheachadadh de mheon macánta ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil, nó
(c) a íocann aon fhiach a dhlitear do fhéimheach agus a éilíonn an Sannaí Oifigiúil,
scaoilfear é ó gach éileamh ag an bhféimheach i leith na maoine nó an fhéich sin, d'ainneoin neamhniú nó urscaoileadh an bhreithnithe dá éis sin.
Ní chuirfear ó bhail teideal chun maoine a dhíolfar.
(1857, a. 323)
55.—Ní dhéanfaidh an féimheach, ná aon duine á éilíonn faoi, an teideal chun aon mhaoine a dhíolfar i bhféimheacht a chur ó bhail de bhíthin amháin go bhfuil locht éigin ar aon imeachtaí faoin Acht seo.
Maoin dhochraideach a shéanadh.
(1872, ailt 97 agus 98; 33/1963, a. 290)
56.—(1) Faoi réir fho-ailt (2) agus (5), más é atá in aon mhaoin (seachas maoin iarfhaighte) de chuid féimhigh talamh faoi aon tionacht a bhfuil cúnaint dhochraideacha d'ualach air, scaireanna nó stoc i gcuideachtaí, conarthaí gan bhrabús, nó aon mhaoin eile nach féidir a dhíol nó nach féidir a dhíol go réidh toisc go gcuireann sí ceangal ar a sealbhóir aon ghníomh dochraideach a dhéanamh nó aon suim airgid a íoc, féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, d'ainneoin iarracht a bheith déanta aige an mhaoin a dhíol nó seilbh a bheith glactha aige uirthi nó aon ghníomh úinéireachta a bheith déanta aige maidir léi, an mhaoin a shéanadh, le cead na Cúirte agus faoi réir fhorálacha an ailt seo, trí scríbhinn a shíneoidh sé, aon tráth laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag tar éis dháta an bhreithnithe nó tar éis cibé tréimhse fhadaithe a cheadóidh an Chúirt.
(2) Más rud é nach mbeidh eolas faoi aon mhaoin den sórt a dúradh faighte ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil laistigh de mhí tar éis dháta an bhreithnithe, féadfar, aon tráth laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag tar éis dó eolas a fháil ina taobh nó de cibé tréimhse fhadaithe a cheadóidh an Chúirt, an chumhacht a fheidhmiú a thugtar faoin alt seo chun an mhaoin a shéanadh.
(3) Oibreoidh an séanadh chun deireadh a chur, amhail ó dháta an tséanta, le cearta, leasanna agus dliteanais an fhéimhigh, agus le dílseánacht an fhéimhigh, sa mhaoin a shéantar nó i leith na maoine sin, agus urscaoilfidh sé freisin an Sannaí Oifigiúil ó gach dliteanas pearsanta i leith na maoine a shéantar amhail ó dháta dílsithe na maoine dó, ach ní dhéanfaidh sé difear do chearta ná dliteanais aon duine eile ach amháin sa mhéid gur gá sin chun an féimheach agus maoin an fhéimhigh agus an Sannaí Oifigiúil a scaoileadh ó dhliteanas.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, sula dtabharfaidh sí cead séanta nó ar é a thabhairt, a cheangal ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil cibé fógraí a thabhairt do dhaoine leasmhara, agus féadfaidh sí cibé téarmaí a fhorchur mar choinníoll a bhainfidh leis an gcead a thabhairt, agus cibé ordú eile a dhéanamh san ábhar, is dóigh leis an gCúirt is cóir.
(5) Ní bheidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil i dteideal aon mhaoin a shéanadh faoin alt seo in aon chás ina ndearnadh iarratas chuige i scríbhinn ó aon daoine a bhfuil leas acu sa mhaoin á cheangal air a chinneadh cé acu a shéanfaidh sé nó nach séanfaidh sé í, agus nach mbeidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, laistigh de thréimhse ocht lá is fiche tar éis dó an t-iarratas a fháil nó de cibé tréimhse bhreise a cheadóidh an Chúirt, tar éis fógra a thabhairt don iarratasóir go bhfuil ar intinn aige iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte ar chead séanta; agus más rud é, i gcás conartha, nach ndéanfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, tar éis an iarratais sin a dúradh, an conradh a shéanadh laistigh den tréimhse sin nó den tréimhse fhadaithe sin, measfar go mbeidh glactha aige leis.
(6) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ó aon duine a bheidh, amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil, i dteideal tairbhe, nó faoi réir ualach, aon chonartha a rinneadh leis an bhféimheach, ordú a dhéanamh ag cealú an chonartha, ar cibé téarmaí is dóigh leis an gCúirt is cóir maidir le híoc damáistí ag ceachtar páirtí, nó le ceachtar páirtí, mar gheall ar neamhchomhlíonadh an chonartha nó eile, agus measfar gur fiach a cruthaíodh agus a admhaíodh san fhéimheacht aon damáistí is iníoctha faoin ordú le haon duine den sórt sin.
(7) Faoi réir fho-alt (8), féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ó aon duine a bheidh ag éileamh go bhfuil aon leas aige in aon mhaoin shéanta nó a bheidh faoi aon dliteanas nach n-urscaoiltear leis an Acht seo i leith aon mhaoine séanta, agus tar éis di aon daoine den sórt sin is cuí léi a éisteacht, ordú a dhéanamh chun an mhaoin a dhílsiú d'aon duine nó a sheachadadh ar aon duine a bheidh ina teideal, nó a ndealróidh sé gur cóir an mhaoin a sheachadadh air mar chúiteamh sa dliteanas sin a dúradh, nó ar iontaobhaí dó, agus ar cibé téarmaí is dóigh leis an gCúirt is cóir, agus ar aon ordú dílseacháin den sórt sin a dhéanamh, dílseoidh an mhaoin a bheidh ar áireamh ann dá réir sin don duine a bheidh ainmnithe ann chuige sin gan aon tíolacas ná sannadh chun na críche sin.
(8) Más de chineál léasachta an mhaoin a shéantar, ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú dílseacháin i bhfabhar aon duine a bheidh ag éileamh faoin bhféimheach, cibé acu mar fho-léasaí nó mar mhorgáistí trí fhorléasadh é, ach amháin ar théarmaí lena gcuirfear an duine sin—
(a) faoi réir na ndliteanas agus na n-oibleagáidí céanna leo siúd a raibh an féimheach faoina réir faoin léas i leith na maoine ar dháta an bhreithnithe; nó
(b) más cuí leis an gCúirt é, faoi réir na ndliteanas agus na n-oibleagáidí céanna sin amháin a mbeadh an duine sin faoina réir dá sannfaí an léas dó ar an dáta sin;
agus i gceachtar cás (más gá sin), ionann is nach raibh sa léas ach an mhaoin atá ar áireamh san ordú dílseacháin, agus déanfar aon mhorgáistí nó fo-léasaí a dhiúltóidh glacadh le hordú dílseacháin ar na téarmaí sin a eisiamh ó gach leas sa mhaoin agus ó gach urrús uirthi, agus mura mbeidh aon duine dá mbeidh ag éileamh faoin bhféimheach toilteanach glacadh le hordú ar na téarmaí sin, beidh cumhacht ag an gCúirt eastát agus leas an fhéimhigh sa mhaoin a dhílsiú d'aon duine a dhlífidh go pearsanta nó i gcáil ionadach, agus ina aonar nó i gcomhpháirt leis an bhféimheach, cúnaint an léasaí sa léas a chomhlíonadh, agus iad saortha agus urscaoilte ó gach eastát, eire agus leas a bhunaigh an féimheach ann.
(9) Aon duine a mbainfidh damáiste dó trí shéanadh a oibriú faoin alt seo, measfar gur creidiúnaí de chuid an fhéimhigh é go feadh méid na ndamáistí, agus féadfaidh sé dá réir sin an méid a chruthú mar fhiach san fhéimheacht.
Tíolacais Chalaoiseacha agus Dheonacha
Tosaíochtaí calaoiseacha a neamhniú.
(1872, a. 53; 33/1963, Sceid. 11, mír 1.)
57.—(1) Gach tíolacas nó aistriú maoine nó gach muirear ar an gcéanna, gach íocaíocht a dhéantar, gach oibleagáid a thabhaítear agus gach imeacht bhreithiúnach a thionscnaíonn nó a fhulaingíonn aon duine nach acmhainn dó a fhiacha a ghlanadh, de réir mar a thiocfaidh siad chun bheith dlite, as a chuid airgid féin i bhfabhar aon chreidiúnaí nó aon duine ar iontaobhas d'aon chreidiúnaí d'fhonn tosaíocht ar na creidiúnaithe eile a thabhairt don chreidiúnaí sin nó d'aon urra nó ráthóir ar an bhfiach a dhlitear don chreidiúnaí sin, measfar, i gcás go mbreithneofar an duine a dhéanann, a thabhaíonn, a thionscnaíonn nó a fhulaingíonn an céanna ina fhéimheach laistigh de shé mhí tar éis dáta déanta, tabhaithe, tionscanta nó fulaingthe an chéanna, iad a bheith calaoiseach agus ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil; ach ní dhéanfaidh an t-alt seo difear do chearta aon duine a bheidh ag bunú teidil de mheon macánta agus ar chomaoin luachmhar trí chreidiúnaí nó faoi chreidiúnaí de chuid an fhéimhigh.
(2) (a) I gcás go mbreithneofar duine ina fhéimheach agus go mbeidh aon ní a rinneadh ar neamhní faoi fho-alt (1) nó go raibh sé ar neamhní faoi fhorálacha comhréireacha an dlí a bhí i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo mar thosaíocht chalaoiseach do dhuine a bhfuil leas aige i maoin atá faoi mhorgáiste nó faoi mhuirear chun fiach an fhéimhigh a urrú, ansin (gan dochar d'aon chearta nó dliteanais a éireoidh ar leith ón alt seo) beidh na dliteanais chéanna ar an duine a fuair an tosaíocht agus beidh na cearta céanna aige amhail is dá mbeadh geallta aige bheith faoi dhliteanas go pearsanta mar urra ar an bhfiach go feadh an mhuirir ar an maoin nó go feadh luach a leasa, cibé acu is lú.
(b) Déanfar luach leas an duine a dúradh a chinneadh amhail ar dháta an idirbhirt arbh é an tosaíocht chalaoiseach é, agus cinnfear é amhail is dá mbeadh an leas saor ó gach eire seachas eirí a raibh an muirear le haghaidh fiach an fhéimhigh faoina réir an uair sin.
(c) I gcás aon iarratas a dhéanfar chun na Cúirte maidir le haon íocaíocht ar an bhforas gur thosaíocht chalaoiseach d'urra nó do ráthóir an íocaíocht, beidh dlínse ag an gCúirt aon cheisteanna maidir leis an íocaíocht, a éireoidh idir an duine lena ndearnadh an íocaíocht agus an t-urra nó an ráthóir, a chinneadh agus faoiseamh a thabhairt ina leith d'ainneoin nach gá sin a dhéanamh chun críocha na féimheachta, agus chuige sin féadfaidh sí cead a thabhairt chun an t-urra nó an ráthóir a thabhairt isteach mar thríú páirtí faoi mar a dhéanfaí i gcás caingean chun an tsuim a íocadh a ghnóthú.
(d) Beidh feidhm ag mír (c), fara na modhnuithe is gá, i ndáil le hidirbhearta seachas íoc airgid, faoi mar atá feidhm aige maidir le híocaíochtaí.
Idirbhearta áirithe a neamhniú.
(Nua)
58.—(1) Más rud é, laistigh de thrí mhí sula mbreithneofar féichiúnaí ina fhéimheach, go ndéanfaidh sé gníomh féimheachta agus go ndíolfaidh sé ina dhiaidh sin aon mhaoin dá chuid ar phraghas atá, i dtuairim na Cúirte, go substaintiúil faoina margadhluach nó go ndéanfaidh sé aon idirbheart eile nó go mbeidh sé ina pháirtí in aon idirbheart eile a bhfuil d'éifeacht leis, i dtuairim na Cúirte, go laghdaíonn sé go substaintiúil an tsuim atá ar fáil le dáileadh ar na creidiúnaithe, beidh an t-idirbheart sin ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil, mura rud é go ndearnadh an t-idirbheart ar mhodh bona fide agus nach raibh fógra ag an bpáirtí eile tráth an idirbhirt go raibh gníomh féimheachta déanta roimhe sin ag an bhféimheach.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh fo-alt (1) difear do chearta aon duine a bheidh ag bunú teidil de mheon macánta agus ar chomaoin luachmhar trí dhuine nó faoi dhuine (seachas an féimheach) is páirtí in idirbheart a bheidh luaite san fho-alt sin.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) maidir le haon idirbheart a luaitear in alt 57 (1) nó 59.
Socraíochtaí áirithe a neamhniú.
(1857, a. 314; 1872, a. 52)
59.—(1) Aon socraíocht maoine, nach socraíocht a dhéantar roimh phósadh agus i gcomaoin phósta, nó a dhéantar i bhfábhar ceannaitheora nó eireadóra de mheon macánta agus ar chomaoin luachmhar beidh sí—
(a) i gcás an socraitheoir a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach laistigh de dhá bhliain tar éis dháta na socraíochta, ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil, agus
(b) i gcás an socraitheoir a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach aon tráth dá éis sin laistigh de chúig bliana tar éis dháta na socraíochta, ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil mura gcruthóidh na páirtithe a bheidh ag éileamh faoin socraíocht go raibh an socraitheoir, tráth déanta na socraíochta, ábalta ar a fhiacha go léir a íoc gan cúnamh na maoine a chuimsítear sa socraíocht agus gur aistrigh leas an tsocraitheora sa mhaoin sin chuig iontaobhaí na socraíochta sin ar í a fhorghníomhú.
(2) Aon chúnant nó conradh a dhéanann aon duine (ar a dtugtar an socraitheoir san alt seo) i gcomaoin a phósta nó a pósta, chun airgead a íoc sa todhchaí chun sochair do chéile nó leanaí an tsocraitheora, nó chun maoin nach raibh, ar dháta an phósta, aon eastát nó leas, cibé dílsithe nó teagmhasach, i seilbh nó i bhfuíoll, ag an socraitheoir inti a shocrú sa todhchaí ar chéile nó leanaí an tsocraitheora nó lena n-aghaidh, beidh an cúnant nó an conradh sin i gcás an socraitheoir a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach agus gan an cúnant nó an conradh a bheith forghníomhaithe ar dháta an bhreithnithe, ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil ach amháin a mhéid a chumasaíonn sé do na daoine a bheidh i dteideal faoin gcúnant nó faoin gconradh éileamh a dhéanamh ar dhíbhinn i bhféimheacht an tsocraitheora faoin gcúnant nó faoin gconradh nó ina leith, ach cuirfear siar aon éileamh den sórt sin ar dhíbhinn go dtí go sásófar gach éileamh ó na creidiúnaithe eile ar chomaoin luachmhar in airgead nó i luach airgid.
(3) Aon íocaíocht airgid (nach íocaíocht préimheanna ar pholasaí árachais saoil) nó aon aistriú maoine a rinne an socraitheoir de bhun cúnaint nó conartha lena mbaineann fo-alt (2), beidh sí ar neamhní amhail in aghaidh an tSannaí Oifigiúil i bhféimheacht an tsocraitheora, mura gcruthóidh na daoine a ndearnadh an íocaíocht leo nó an t-aistriú chucu:
(a) go ndearnadh an íocaíocht nó an t-aistriú breis agus dhá bhliain roimh dháta breithnithe an tsocraitheora, nó
(b) go raibh an socraitheoir, ar dháta na híocaíochta nó an aistrithe, ábalta ar a fhiacha go léir a íoc gan cúnamh an airgid a íocadh amhlaidh ná na maoine a aistríodh amhlaidh, nó
(c) gur de bhun cúnaint nó conartha chun airgead a íoc nó maoin a aistriú is dóigh a thiocfadh chun an tsocraitheora ó bhás nó ar bhás duine áirithe a ainmnítear sa chúnant nó sa chonradh, a rinneadh an íocaíocht nó an t-aistriú, agus go ndearnadh é laistigh de thrí mhí tar éis don airgead nó don mhaoin teacht i seilbh nó faoi rialú an tsocraitheora;
ach, i gcás go ndearbhófar go bhfuil aon íocaíocht nó aistriú den sórt sin ar neamhní, beidh na daoine a ndearnadh an íocaíocht leo nó an t-aistriú chucu i dteideal éileamh a dhéanamh ar dhíbhinn faoin gcúnant nó faoin gconradh nó ina leith sa tslí chéanna amhail is dá mba nach raibh an cúnant nó an conradh forghníomhaithe ar dháta an bhreithnithe.
(4) San alt seo folaíonn “socraíocht” aon tíolacas nó aistriú maoine.
Forálacha Bainisteoireachta
Oifig an tSannaí Oifigiúil.
60.—(1) Beidh ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil, agus feidhmeoidh sé, cibé cumhachtaí agus údaráis agus comhlíonfaidh sé cibé dualgais agus feidhmeanna a thabharfar nó a shannfar dó ó am go ham le reacht (lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo) nó le rialacha cúirte.
(2) Fostófar cigire (dá ngairtear “an Cigire Féimheachta” san Acht seo) in Oifig an tSannaí Oifigiúil agus beidh feidhm dá réir sin ag mír 22 den Ochtú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961.
(3) An duine a bhí díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo i seilbh oifige mar Theachtaire na Cúirte tiocfaidh sé, ar an tosach feidhme sin, chun bheith, agus is é a bheidh, ina Chigire Féimheachta.
Feidhmeanna an tSannaí Oifigiúil i bhféimheacht agus i gcomhshocraíochtaí dílseacháin.
(Nua)
61.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo le gach ábhar féimheachta agus comhshocraíocht dílseacháin.
(2) Is iad feidhmeanna an tSannaí Oifigiúil an mhaoin a ghlacadh isteach agus a réadú, na fiacha agus na dliteanais a chinneadh agus na sócmhainní a dháileadh de réir fhorálacha an Achta seo.
(3) I gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna beidh cumhacht ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil go háirithe—
(a) an mhaoin a dhíol ar cheant poiblí nó trí chonradh príobháideach, le cumhacht chun iomlán na maoine a aistriú chuig aon duine nó an céanna a dhíol ina míreanna agus, chun críche talamh a dhíol, an díol sin a dhéanamh trí dheontas feofheirme, fodheontas feofheirme, léas, fo-léas nó ar shlí eile agus aon chíos a dhíol a bheidh forchoimeádta ar aon deontas den sórt sin nó aon fhrithdhílse a dhíol a bheidh feifeach ar fhoirceannadh aon léasa den sórt sin,
(b) aon chomhréiteach nó comhshocraíocht a dhéanamh le creidiúnaithe nó le daoine a bheidh ag éileamh gur creidiúnaithe iad, nó a bhfuil, nó a líomhnóidh go bhfuil, aon éileamh acu, láithreach nó todhchaí, cinnte nó teagmhasach, cinntithe nó inchúitithe le damáistí amháin trína bhféadfaidh an féimheach nó an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta teacht faoi dhliteanas,
(c) gach fiach agus gach dliteanas a bhféadfadh fiacha teacht as, agus gach éileamh, láithreach nó todhchaí, cinnte nó teagmhasach, cinntithe nó inchúitithe le damáistí amháin, atá ar marthain nó a shíltear a bheith ar marthain idir an féimheach nó an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta agus aon fhéichiúnaí agus gach ceist a bhaineann in aon slí leis na sócmhainní nó leis na himeachtaí nó a dhéanfaidh difear dóibh in aon slí, a chomhréiteach ar cibé téarmaí ar a gcomhaontófar agus aon urrús go ndéanfar urscaoileadh ar aon fhiach, dliteanas nó éileamh, a ghlacadh agus urscaoileadh iomlán a thabhairt ina leith sin,
(d) aon imeachtaí a bhaineann leis an maoin a thionscnamh, a chosaint nó a choimeád ar siúl,
(e) aon díospóid a bhaineann leis an maoin a chur chun eadrána faoi théarmaí alt 11 den Acht Eadrána, 1954,
(f) aon mhaoin a mhorgáistiú nó a chur i ngeall chun aon airgead is gá a chruinniú,
(g) litreacha riaracháin maidir le haon eastát a rachadh a riaradh chun tairbhe don fhéimheach nó don fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a bhaint amach faoina ainm oifigiúil gan a cheangal air urrús a thabhairt,
(h) comhaontú ar shuim le haghaidh costas i gcás go n-ordaíonn an Chúirt amhlaidh nó go gceapann sé nach mbeadh an tsuim a cheadófaí ar fhómhas níos mó ná £1,000,
(i) comhaontú ar tháillí cuntasóirí, ceantálaithe, bróicéirí agus daoine eile,
(j) cinneadh agus deimhniú a dhéanamh don Chúirt maidir leis an méid atá dlite i leith féich mhorgáiste agus tosaíocht chuí an chéanna le cumhacht don Chúirt an deimhniú sin a athrú,
(k) aon suim nach mó ná £100 ar mhodh slánaíochta i leith na gcostas a thabhaíonn sé a tharraingt as an gcuntas dá dtagraítear in alt 84 (1).
(4) D'ainneoin aon fhoráil contrártha dó sin i bhfo-alt (3), ní dhéanfar aon diúscairt ar mhaoin féimhigh, féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta ná duine a fhaigheann bás agus é dócmhainneach ar maoin í a fholaíonn áras teaghlaigh de réir bhrí an Achta um Chaomhnú Áras an Teaghlaigh, 1976, gan cead na Cúirte a fháil roimh ré, agus beidh aon diúscairt ar neamhní a dhéanfar gan cead den sórt sin.
(5) Ar iarratas ón Sannaí Oifigiúil faoin alt seo ar ordú chun áras teaghlaigh a dhíol, beidh, d'ainneoin aon ní san achtachán seo nó in aon achtachán eile, cumhacht ag an gCúirt ordú a thabhairt díol an árais teaghlaigh a chur siar ag féachaint do leasanna na gcreidiúnaithe agus chéile agus chleithiúnaithe an fhéimhigh agus d'imthosca uile an cháis chomh maith.
(6) Féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, i gcás amhrais nó deacrachta, ordacháin na Cúirte a lorg i dtaca le gnóthaí aon fhéimhigh nó aon fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta.
(7) Beidh feidhmiú na gcumhachtaí a thugtar leis an alt seo ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil faoi réir rialú na Cúirte agus féadfaidh aon chreidiúnaí nó duine eile ag a bhfuil leas i dtuairim na Cúirte iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte i ndáil le feidhmiú nó feidhmiú beartaithe na gcumhachtaí sin.
(8) Na cumhachtaí agus na feidhmeanna a thugtar don Sannaí Oifigiúil leis an alt seo féadfar iad a fheidhmiú agus a chur i gcrích—
(a) i gcás breithniú a bhunaítear ar achainí ó fhéichiúnaí, tráth an bhreithnithe,
(b) i gcás breithniú a bhunaítear ar achainí ag creidiúnaí, ar an am chun cás a shuíomh a bheith imithe in éag,
(c) i gcás comhshocraíochta dílseacháin, ar cheadú an togra ag an gCúirt.
Cigire Féimheachta agus cúntóirí.
(1857, a. 62)
62.—(1) Leanfaidh an Cigire Féimheachta agus a chúntóirí treoracha an tSannaí Oifigiúil, faoi réir ordacháin agus rialú na Cúirte.
(2) Faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, beidh sé de dhualgas ar an gCigire Féimheachta nó ar a chúntóirí—
(a) maoin an fhéimhigh a urghabháil de bhun barántais a eiseoidh an Chúirt faoi alt 27,
(b) fardal a ghlacadh de mhaoin an fhéimhigh agus tuairisc a thabhairt uirthi,
(c) seilbh a ghlacadh ar mhaoin fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta de bhun alt 100 agus fardal a ghlacadh den mhaoin agus tuairisc a thabhairt uirthi,
(d) cibé nithe eile a dhéanamh a ordóidh an Chúirt nó an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
An Sannaí Oifigiúil a chosaint.
(1857, a. 65)
63.—Ní bheidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil faoi dhliteanas—
(a) de bhrí nár leor chun tacú le breithniú aon ní de na nithe ar ar bunaíodh an breithniú,
(b) i dtaca le haon mhaoin a ghlacadh aige, ar choinníoll nár dhéileáil sé leis an maoin ar mhodh seachas mar a d'ordaigh an Chúirt nó mar a cheanglaítear leis an Acht seo nó le rialacha cúirte.
Cumhacht an tSannaí Oifigiúil chun sainoidhreacht a urchose.
(1857, a. 340; 1872, a. 50)
64.—Féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, le cead na Cúirte, déileáil le haon talamh a bhfuil an féimheach ina theideal go tairbhiúil mar thionónta sainoidhreach, sa tslí chéanna a bhféadfadh an féimheach déileáil leis dá mba nár breithníodh é; agus beidh réim agus feidhm ag ailt 49 go 61 den Fines and Recoveries (Ireland) Act, 1834 (a mhéid is infheidhme iad) maidir le himeachtaí i bhféimheacht faoin Acht seo amhail is dá mbeadh na hailt sin ath-achtaithe san Acht seo agus sin i dtéarmaí a bheadh infheidhme maidir leis na himeachtaí sin.
Cumhacht an tSannaí Oifigiúil chun cuid d'ioncam féimhigh a leithreasú.
(Nua: cf. 1857, a. 319; 1872, a. 51)
65.—(1) D'ainneoin aon fhoráil contrártha dó sin in aon achtachán eile, uair ar bith a mbeidh aon tuarastal, ioncam, díolaíocht nó pinsean á fháil ag féimheach, cibé féinfhostaithe é nó a mhalairt, nó a mbeidh sé i dteideal an céanna a fháil, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ó am go ham, ar iarratas ón Sannaí Oifigiúil, ordú a dhéanamh a bheidh dírithe chun an fhéimhigh agus chun aon duine óna bhfuil an féimheach i dteideal aon tuarastal, ioncam, díolaíocht nó pinsean den sórt sin a fháil á ordú an t-iomlán nó cuid den tuarastal, den ioncam, den díolaíocht nó den phinsean sin a íoc leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil faoi réir cibé coinníollacha maidir le híocaíocht a shonróidh an Chúirt san ordú ag féachaint do fhreagrachtaí teaghlaigh agus staid phearsanta an fhéimhigh.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt tráth ar bith, ar iarratas ó aon duine leasmhar, ordú faoi fho-alt (1) a athrú, ag féachaint d'aon athruithe ar fhreagrachtaí teaghlaigh nó staid phearsanta an fhéimhigh.
Maoin a sheachadadh ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(cf. 1857, a. 324)
66.—Déanfaidh gach duine, ar é á iarraidh air, an t-airgead uile nó na hurrúis uile ar airgead ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú nach bhfuil sé i dteideal a choimeád de réir dlí amhail in aghaidh an fhéimhigh nó an tSannaí Oifigiúil, a sheachadadh ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
Ceart an tSannaí Oifigiúil stoic nó scaireanna a aistriú.
(cf. 1857, a 320)
67.—I gcás gur stoic nó scaireanna a bheidh in aon chuid de mhaoin féimhigh, nó de mhaoin féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta faoi chomhshocraíocht dílseacháin, féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil an ceart chun iad a aistriú a fheidhmiú a mhéid céanna a bhféadfadh an féimheach nó an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta é a fheidhmiú murach an breithniú nó an chomhshocraíocht dílseacháin.
Ceart an tSannaí Oifigiúil earraí atá geallearbtha nó curtha i ngeall a iniúchadh.
(Nua)
68.—I gcás go mbeidh aon earraí de chuid féimhigh á sealbhú ag aon duine ar mhodh cur i ngeall, geallearbtha nó urrúis eile, féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil fógra i scríbhinn a thabhairt don sealbhóir á rá go bhfuil sé ar intinn aige na hearraí a iniúchadh agus, i gcás fógra den sórt sin a bheith tugtha, ní bheidh an sealbhóir i dteideal a urrús a réadú go dtí go mbeidh deis réasúnach tugtha aige don Sannaí Oifigiúil chun na hearraí a iniúchadh agus a cheart fuascailte a fheidhmiú más cuí leis sin a dhéanamh.
Maoin féimhigh a ghlacadh.
(cf. 1857, ailt 60, 61)
69.—(1) Beidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil ina shannaí ar eastát gach féimhigh agus gníomhóidh sé i dteannta sannaí na gcreidiúnaithe, más ann dó.
(2) Ach amháin mar a ordaíonn an Chúirt a mhalairt, déanfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil maoin gach féimhigh, agus an t-ioncam agus na fáltais ón maoin sin, a shealbhú agus a ghlacadh.
(3) An t-airgead agus na hurrúis go léir a ghlacfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, ar cuid iad d'eastát féimhigh, lóisteálfaidh sé láithreach iad i mBanc Ceannais na hÉireann agus coimeádfar ansin iad chun creidmheas an tSannaí Oifigiúil faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo agus rialacha cúirte agus ordacháin na Cúirte.
(4) Faoi réir alt 84, déileálfar de bhun rialacha cúirte leis an airgead agus leis na hurrúis go léir a bhí, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, ag seasamh chun creidmheas cuntas bainc i gcúrsaí féimheachta nó comhshocraíochta.
(5) Féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, le cead na Cúirte, an t-iomlán nó aon chuid d'aon airgead dá dtagraítear san alt seo a infheistiú ó am go ham, agus déanfar aon ús air sin a íoc isteach sna cuntais bainc cuí.
Éileamh ar mhaoin i seilbh féimhigh.
(Nua)
70.—(1) Má éilíonn duine aon mhaoin atá i seilbh an fhéimhigh ar dháta an bhreithnithe déanfaidh sé éileamh a bheidh fíoraithe le mionnscríbhinn a chomhdú leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(2) Féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil fógra i scríbhinn a thabhairt d'aon duine chun a éileamh chun maoine atá i seilbh an fhéimhigh ar dháta an bhreithnithe a chruthú agus más rud é nach ndéanfaidh an duine sin laistigh de mhí amháin tar éis seirbheáil an fhógra éileamh a bheidh fíoraithe le mionnscríbhinn a chomhdú leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil, féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, le cead na Cúirte, an mhaoin a dhíol nó a dhiúscairt saor ó aon cheart nó leas inti ag an duine sin.
Liúntais d'fhéimheach.
(cf. 1857, a. 301)
71.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt cibé liúntais is cuí leis an gCúirt in imthosca speisialta an cháis a thabhairt don fhéimheach as a eastát.
Athdhíriú litreacha, etc., a sheoltar chuig féimheach.
(1857, a. 312)
72.—Má bhreithnítear féichiúnaí ina fhéimheach, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón Sannaí Oifigiúil, a ordú ó am go ham go ndéanfar ar feadh cibé tréimhse, nach faide ná trí mhí, is cuí leis an gCúirt litreacha, teileagraim agus paicéid phoist a bheidh dírithe ar an bhféimheach ag áit ar bith a bheidh luaite san ordú a athdhíriú nó a sheoladh chuig an Sannaí Oifigiúil nó a sheachadadh air de réir mar a ordóidh an Chúirt ar cibé téarmaí agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis an gCúirt.
Glacadóirí agus bainisteoirí a cheapadh.
(1872, a. 68)
73.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt, tráth ar bith tar éis breithniú nó tar éis ordú cosanta a dheonú, glacadóir nó bainisteoir a cheapadh ar mhaoin iomlán an fhéimhigh nó an fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, nó ar chuid dá mhaoin, agus féadfaidh sí a ordú go nglacfaidh an glacadóir nó an bainisteoir seilbh láithreach ar an maoin sin nó ar chuid ar bith di.
Comhdhíbhinní agus díbhinní leithleacha.
(cf. 1857, a. 266)
74.—Más féimheach comhpháirtí amháin nó níos mó de na compháirtithe i ngnólacht, beidh aon chreidiúnaí de chuid an ghnólachta i dteideal a fhiach a chruthú nó go nglacfaí leis mar chreidiúnaí chun críche vótála i roghnú agus i gceapadh sannaí creidiúnaithe ach ní bhfaighidh creidiúnaí den sórt sin aon díbhinn as eastát leithleach an fhéimhigh go dtí go mbeidh méid iomlán a bhfiacha faoi seach faighte ag na creidiúnaithe leithleacha go léir.
Fiacha is inchruthaithe i bhféimheacht agus i gcomhshocraíochtaí.
(cf. 1857, ailt 247, 249, 252 go 258; 1872, ailt 45-47)
75.—(1) Fiacha agus dliteanais, láithreach nó todhchaí, cinnte nó teagmhasach, de bhíthin aon oibleagáide a thabhaigh an féimheach nó an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta roimh dháta an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta agus éilimh de chineál damáistí neamhleachtaithe a raibh an féimheach nó an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta faoi dhliteanas maidir leo ar an dáta sin de bhíthin éagóra de réir bhrí an Achta um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961, beidh siad inchruthaithe san fhéimheacht nó sa chomhshocraíocht.
(2) I gcás ús nó aon chomaoin airgid in ionad úis a bheith forchoimeádta, nó i gcás comhaontú a bheith déanta maidir leis ar fhiach atá thar téarma ar dháta an bhreithnithe, beidh an creidiúnaí i dteideal a fhiach a chruthú nó go nglacfar leis mar chreidiúnaí faoi chomhair an úis nó na comaoine sin suas go dtí dáta an bhreithnithe.
(3) I gcás go gcomhaontóidh na páirtithe riachtanacha go léir, féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh le haghaidh measúnú damáistí nó ranníoca faoi alt 61 (2) den Acht um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961, d'ainneoin go bhféadfadh nach í an chúirt í ar aici, nó ar os a comhair, a bheidh an t-éileamh ar dhamáistí nó ar ranníocaí le cinneadh.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chúirt meastachán a dhéanamh maidir le luach aon fhéich nach ngabhann luach cinnte leis mar gheall ar é bheith faoi réir aon teagmhais nó ar aon chúis eile agus cruthófar méid an mheastacháin mar fhiach.
Cruthúnas ar fhiacha.
(cf. 1857, a. 246 go páirt.)
76.—Beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Chéad Sceidil i ndáil le cruthúnas ar fhiacha.
Féimheacht ghníomhaire mharsantaigh.
(Nua)
77.—Maidir le halt 12 (2) den Factors Act, 1889 (a rialálann cearta úinéara earraí i gcás féimheacht ghníomhaire mharsantaigh a mbeidh siad curtha faoina chúram), beidh éifeacht leis ach tagairt don Sannaí Oifigiúil a chur in ionad na tagartha d'iontaobhaí i bhféimheacht.
Cruthúnas le haghaidh costas breithiúnais.
(1857, a. 261)
78.—I gcás go bhfaighidh páirtí i gcúis nó in ábhar ar bith breithiúnas nó ordú in aghaidh duine a ndéanfar dá éis sin é a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach nó ordú cosanta a dheonú dó maidir le haon fhiach a gcruthóidh sé gur creidiúnaí é nó go nglacfar leis mar chreidiúnaí ina leith, beidh sé freisin i dteideal a chruthú gur creidiúnaí é nó go nglacfar leis mar chreidiúnaí faoi choinne costais an bhreithiúnais nó an ordaithe, cibé acu ar fómhasadh nó ar cinntíodh na costais nó nach ndearnadh, ar dháta an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta.
Fiacha a cruthaíodh cheana féin a dhícheadú.
(1857, a. 263)
79.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón Sannaí Oifigiúil nó ó aon chreidiúnaí nó ón bhféimheach nó ón bhféichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, aon fhiach a bheidh cruthaithe nó a mbeidh glactha leis cheana féin a dhícheadú go hiomlán nó go páirteach.
Eastát a Dháileadh
Tosaíocht ag caiteachais, etc.
(Nua)
80.—Beidh caiteachais, táillí agus costais na féimheachta iníoctha i dtosaíocht ar dhliteanais an fhéimhigh i cibé ord a bheidh forordaithe.
Íocaíochtaí tosaíochta.
(1889, ailt 4, 6; 33/1963, a. 285)
81.—(1) Nuair a bheidh maoin féimhigh á dáileadh íocfar i dtosaíocht ar gach fiach eile—
(a) na rátaí áitiúla go léir a bheidh dlite den fhéimheach ar dháta an ordaithe breithnithe, agus a tháinig chun bheith dlite agus iníoctha laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag díreach roimh an dáta sin, agus gach cáin mhaoine nó cáin ioncaim a bheidh measúnaithe ar an bhféimheach suas go dtí an 5ú lá d'Aibreán díreach roimh dháta an ordaithe breithnithe, agus nach mó san iomlán ná measúnacht bliana amháin;
(b) pá nó tuarastal uile (cibé acu a tuilleadh nó nár tuilleadh é go hiomlán nó go páirteach mar choimisiún) aon chléirigh nó seirbhísigh i leith seirbhísí a rinneadh don fhéimheach i gcaitheamh na gceithre mhí díreach roimh dháta an ordaithe breithnithe nach mó ná £2,500;
(c) pá uile aon oibrí nó saothraí nach mó ná £2,500 (cibé acu in aghaidh ama nó ar thascobair a bhí sé iníoctha) i leith seirbhísí a rinneadh don fhéimheach i gcaitheamh na gceithre mhí díreach roimh dháta an ordaithe breithnithe: ar choinníoll, i gcás conradh a bheith déanta ag aon saothraí feirme chun cuid dá phá a íoc leis mar chnapshuim ag deireadh na bliana fruilithe nó cibé téarma fruilithe eile is giorra ná sin, go mbainfidh an tosaíocht faoin alt seo le hiomlán cibé suime, nó cibé cuid di, a chinnfidh an Chúirt a bheith dlite faoin gconradh i gcomhréir leis an tréimhse seirbhíse suas go dtí dáta an ordaithe breithnithe;
(d) an luach saothair faibhrithe go léir in aghaidh saoire a tháinig chun bheith iníoctha le haon chléireach, seirbhíseach, oibrí nó saothraí (nó i gcás a bháis, le haon duine eile i ndualgas a chirt) ar dheireadh a theacht lena fhostaíocht roimh an ordú breithnithe nó de bharr a éifeachta;
(e) na suimeanna go léir a bheidh dlite d'aon fhostaí de bhun aon scéime nó comhshocraíochta chun íocaíochtaí a chur ar fáil don fhostaí fad a bheidh sé as láthair ó fhostaíocht de dheasca drochshláinte;
(f) aon íocaíochtaí a bheidh dlite den fhéimheach de bhun aon scéime nó comhshocraíochta chun sochair aoisliúntais a chur ar fáil d'fhostaithe de chuid an fhéimhigh nó i leith na bhfostaithe sin cibé atá na híocaíochtaí sin dlite i leith ranníoc an fhéimhigh leis an scéim sin nó faoin gcomhshocraíocht sin nó i leith ranníocaí den sórt sin is iníoctha ag na fostaithe leis an bhféimheach faoi aon scéim nó comhshocraíocht den sórt sin a asbhaineadh as pá nó as tuarastail fostaithe;
(g) aon fhiach, íocaíocht nó ranníoc a bhí, de bhua aon fhoráil in aon achtachán a bhí i ngníomh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, ar áireamh sna fiacha ar thug alt 4 den Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889, tosaíocht dóibh; agus forléireofar aon tagairt don alt sin 4 in aon achtachán den sórt sin mar thagairt don fho-alt seo.
(2) Beidh na fiacha sin roimhe seo ar aon chéim lena chéile agus íocfar iad go hiomlán mura rud é nach leor maoin an fhéimhigh faoina gcomhair, agus sa chás sin laghdófar iad i gcionmhaireachtaí comhionanna lena chéile.
(3) Faoi réir cibé suimeanna a choinneáil is gá le haghaidh costas agus caiteachas riaracháin nó eile, déanfar na fiacha sin roimhe seo a ghlanadh láithreach a mhéid ar leor maoin an fhéimhigh faoina gcomhair.
(4) I gcás go ndéanfaidh nó go ndearna tiarna talún nó duine eile tochsal ar aon earraí nó éifeachtaí de chuid an fhéimhigh laistigh de thrí mhí díreach roimh dháta an ordaithe breithnithe, beidh na fiacha dá dtugtar tosaíocht leis an alt seo ina dtúsmhuirear ar na hearraí nó na héifeachtaí a ndéanfar nó a ndearnadh tochsal orthu amhlaidh nó ar na fáltais as a ndíol; ar choinníoll maidir le haon airgead a íocfar faoi aon mhuirear den sórt sin go mbeidh ag an tiarna talún nó ag an duine eile na cearta tosaíochta céanna leis an duine lena ndéanfar an íocaíocht.
(5) Measfar gur pá i leith seirbhísí a rinneadh don fhéimheach i rith tréimhse saoire nó asláithreachta ó obair ar chúis mhaith aon luach saothair in aghaidh na tréimhse sin.
(6) D'ainneoin alt 4, ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt seo más roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo a rinneadh an t-ordú breithnithe, agus i gcás den sórt sin, measfar go bhfuil lánfheidhm fós ag na forálacha maidir le híocaíochtaí tosaíochta a mbeadh feidhm acu dá mba nár ritheadh an tAcht seo.
(7) Beidh feidhm ag fo-ailt (1), (2), (3), (5) agus (6) i gcás féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta faoi fhorálacha an Achta seo amhail is dá mba fhéimheach é, agus amhail is dá ndéanfaí dáta comhdaithe na hachainí le haghaidh comhshocraíochta a chur in ionad dháta an ordaithe breithnithe.
(8) I gcás comhshocraíochta, aon chreidiúnaí a dhéanann, maidir le haon fhiach dá dtugtar tosaíocht leis an alt seo, vótáil i bhfabhar nó in aghaidh glacadh le togra an fhéichiúnaí nó le haon mhodhnú ar an togra sin nó, i gcás imshocraíochta tar éis féimheachta, a vótálann, maidir le haon fhiach den sórt sin, i bhfabhar nó in aghaidh glacadh le tairiscint imshocraíochta an fhéimhigh nó le haon mhodhnú ar an tairiscint sin, measfar go mbeidh aon chearta faoi fho-alt (1) tréigthe aige trí vótáil amhlaidh agus tabharfar ar ais dó cibé cearta (más ann) i leith aon fhéich de na fiacha a luaitear san fho-alt sin a bheadh ag an gcreidiúnaí sin ar leith ón bhfo-alt sin.
(9) Beidh feidhm ag an alt seo i gcás duine éagtha a fhaigheann bás agus é dócmhainneach amhail is dá mba fhéimheach é agus amhail is dá gcuirfí dáta a bháis in ionad dháta an ordaithe breithnithe.
(10) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san alt seo athrú ar éifeacht alt 3 den Partnership Act, 1890, ná ní dhéanfaidh sé dochar d'fhorálacha alt 14 den Trustee Savings Banks Act, 1863, ná d'fhorálacha an Friendly Societies Act, 1896.
Eastát a dháileadh.
(cf. 1857, a. 286, 288, 289, 290, 292, 293)
82.—(1) A luaithe a bheidh sé caoithiúil tar éis dó dóthain airgid a fháil faoi chomhair caiteachas, táillí, costas agus íocaíochtaí tosaíochta agus chun díbhinn a íoc le creidiúnaithe in eastát aon fhéimhigh, cuirfidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil ar chomhad na Cúirte liosta creidiúnaithe lenar ghlac sé féin nó an Chúirt, cóip de chuntas iomchuí an fhéimhigh ina leabhair, sonraí maidir le caiteachais, táillí, costais, íocaíochtaí tosaíochta agus díbhinn is iníoctha le creidiúnaithe agus a thuarascáil ar réadú an eastáit.
(2) Déanfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil na doiciméid agus an tuarascáil arna gcomhdú de réir fho-alt (1) a thíolacadh don Chúirt ag suí a thionólfar lá is fiche ar a laghad tar éis fógra faoin gcomhdú agus faoin suí a bheith tugtha ar an modh forordaithe.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt cibé ordú a dhéanamh ag an suí is oiriúnach léi chun an t-eastát nó aon chuid de a dháileadh trí na caiteachais, na táillí, na costais agus na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta, maille leis an díbhinn iomchuí, a íoc.
(4) Beidh cead ag an bpobal an comhad dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) a iniúchadh ar tháille fhorordaithe a íoc ach ní ghearrfar aon táille ar chreidiúnaithe a iniúchfaidh an comhad.
(5) Más rud é, ar chúis ar bith, nach ndáilfear eastát an fhéimhigh go hiomlán ag an suí sin déanfar an dara dáileadh agus dáiltí ina dhiaidh sin a luaithe is caoithiúil tar éis réadú an eastáit iarmharaigh. Is ionann an nós imeachta agus an nós imeachta le haghaidh an chéad dáilte.
(6) In aon chás nach mbeidh aon airgead nó, i dtuairim an tSannaí Oifigiúil, nach mbeidh dóthain airgid, ar fáil le dáileadh ar na creidiúnaithe, féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú go n-íocfar caiteachais, táillí agus costais san ord sin a mhéid a sheasfaidh an t-airgead. I gcás iarmhéid a bheith fágtha, aistreofar é go dtí an cuntas dá dtagraítear in alt 84 (1).
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
(Nua)
83.—Forálfar le rialacha cúirte go gcoimeádfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil cuntais agus go ndéanfar iniúchadh ar na cuntais sin.
Sannaí Oifigiúil— Cuntas Díbhinne Neamhéilithe.
(1857, ailt 61, 295, 296; 1872, a. 77; 1888, c.44; LCR 1888, r. 125)
(Nua)
84.—(1) Cuirfidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil faoi deara cuntas a oscailt i mBanc Ceannais na hÉireann, ar a dtabharfar an “Sannaí Oifigiúil —Cuntas Díbhinne Neamhéilithe” agus déanfar an t-airgead agus na hurrúis go léir a bhí, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, chun creidmheas an Chuntais Díbhinne Neamhéilithe, nó an Chuntais Díbhinne Neamhéilithe, Corcaigh, a thabhairt anonn go dtí an Cuntas sin.
(2) Íocfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil isteach sa Chuntas sin gach díbhinn neamhéilithe agus gach airgead neamhéilithe ar chuid iad d'eastát aon fhéimhigh.
(3) (a) Beidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil i dteideal gach díbhinn a éilítear go dleathach chomh maith leis na suimeanna dá bhforáiltear le halt 61 (3) (k) a íoc as an gCuntas sin.
(b) D'fhonn foráil sealadach a dhéanamh le haghaidh íocaíochtaí nach mbeidh aon airgead ar fáil dóibh láithreach san eastát ar leith ar ina aghaidh is inmhuirearaithe iad, féadfar cibé suimeanna, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, a bheidh forordaithe a íoc as an gCuntas sin chun creidmheas an tSannaí Oifigiúil i gcuntas ar leith sa bhanc sin.
(4) Féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil, le cead na Cúirte, an t-airgead go léir nó aon chuid den airgead a bheidh chun creidmheas an Chuntais a infheistiú ó am go ham agus íocfar isteach sa Chuntas sin an t-ús ar na hinfheistíochtaí.
(5) Féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú go n-íocfar leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil as an gCuntas cibé suim ar mhodh slánaíochta i leith aon damáistí, costas nó caiteachas is iníoctha aige nó a thabhaíonn sé nó a bheidh iníoctha aige nó a thabhóidh sé le haghaidh, nó de bhíthin, aon ghnímh nó ní a dhéanann sé le linn dó a bheith ag gníomhú ina cháil oifigiúil a mheasann an Chúirt a bheith cóir, lena n-áirítear na costais a bhaineann le haon imeachtaí arna dtionscnamh ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil le cead na Cúirte i gcás nach mbeidh dóthain airgid ann maidir leis an ábhar.
(6) Ní bheidh an Cuntas ar fáil chun aon chríche seachas críocha an ailt seo.
Urscaoileadh agus neamhniú.
(Nua)
(1857, a. 149)
(cf. 1872, a. 56)
(1857, a. 129)
(Nua)
(cf. 1872, a. 56)
85.—(1) Urscaoiltear leis seo aon fhéimheacht a bhí ar marthain tráth thosach feidhme an Achta seo más roimh an 1 Eanáir, 1960, a rinneadh an t-ordú breithnithe ina leith.
(2) I gcás ordú breithnithe a bheith urscaoilte de bhua fhorálacha fho-alt (1) déanfar aon mhaoin de chuid an fhéimhigh a bheidh dílsithe fós don Sannaí Oifigiúil a thabhairt ar ais don fhéimheach tar éis socrú a dhéanamh go n-íocfar na caiteachais, na táillí, na costais agus na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta agus measfar an mhaoin sin a bheith athdhílsithe dó amhail ar agus ó thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
(3) Beidh féimheach i dteideal a urscaoilte ó fhéimheacht—
(a) ar shocrú a bheith déanta chun na caiteachais, na táillí, agus na costais a bhí dlite san fhéimheacht, chomh maith leis na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta a íoc, agus
(i) ar phunt sa phunt, maille le cibé ús a cheadóidh an Chúirt, a bheith íoctha aige, nó
(ii) ar thoiliú gach creidiúnaí dá chuid a bheith faighte aige; nó
(b) i gcás lena mbaineann alt 41.
(4) Aon fhéimheach a mbeidh a eastát réadaithe go hiomlán i dtuairim na Cúirte beidh sé i dteideal a urscaoilte ó fhéimheacht ar shocrú a bheith déanta chun na caiteachais, na táillí agus na costais a bhí dlite san fhéimheacht, chomh maith leis na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta, a íoc, agus—
(a) ar chaoga pingin nó níos mó sa phunt a bheith faighte ag a chreidiúnaithe, nó
(b) ar cibé suimeanna breise a dhéanfaidh, i dteannta na díbhinne a íoctar, caoga pingin sa phunt, a bheith íoctha aige nó ag a chairde lena chreidiúnaithe, nó
(c) ar an bhféimheacht a bheith ar marthain le dhá bhliain déag:
ar choinníoll, in aon iarratas faoi mhír (c), go mbeidh an Chúirt sásta gur nochtadh gach maoin iarfhaighte agus go bhfuil sé réasúnta agus ceart an t-iarratas a dheonú.
(5) Beidh duine i dteideal go ndéanfar a bhreithniú a neamhniú—
(a) i gcás go suífidh sé cúis de bhun alt 16, nó
(b) in aon chás eile nuair nár chóir, i dtuairim na Cúirte, é a bheith breithnithe ina fhéimheach.
(6) Beidh foráil in ordú urscaoilte nó neamhnithe go ndéanfar aon mhaoin de chuid an fhéimhigh a bheidh an tráth sin dílsithe don Sannaí Oifigiúil a athdhílsiú don fhéimheach nó a thabhairt ar ais dó agus measfar chun gach críche gurb é a bheidh san ordú sin tíolacas, sannadh nó aistriú na maoine sin chun an fhéimhigh agus, i gcás gurb iomchuí é, féadfar é a chlárú dá réir sin.
(7) Féadfaidh duine atá i dteideal urscaoilte nó neamhnithe iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte ar dheimhniú urscaoilte nó neamhnithe, de réir mar is gá sa chás, a fháil faoi shéala na Cúirte.
(8) San alt seo folaíonn “féimheach” ionadaithe agus sannaithe pearsanta.
Barrachas.
(1857, a. 304)
86.—(1) Má bhíonn eastát aon fhéimhligh leordhóthanach chun punt sa phunt a íoc, maille le hús de réir an ráta reatha is iníoctha ar fhiacha breithiúnais, agus chun barrachas a bheith fágtha, ordóidh an Chúirt an barrachas sin a íoc leis an bhféimheach, lena ionadaithe pearsanta nó lena shannaithe pearsanta nó é a sheachadadh air nó orthu nó a dhílsiú dó nó dóibh.
(2) Measfar chun gach críche gur tíolacas, sannadh nó aistriú maoine a bheidh san ordú agus, i gcás gurb iomchuí é, féadfar é a chlárú dá réir sin.
CUID IV
Comhshocraíochtaí faoi Rialú na Cúirte
Achainí le haghaidh cosanta.
(1857, a. 343)
(1872, a. 62)
(Nua)
87.—(1) Aon fhéichiúnaí nach féidir leis freastal dá ghealltanais i leith a chreidiúnaithe agus ar mian leis staid a ghnóthaí a leagan faoina mbráid d'fhonn togra a dhéanamh chun a fhiacha a imshocrú, faoi rialú na Cúirte, agus é féin a chur faoi dhlínse na Cúirte mar a fhoráiltear leis an gCuid seo, féadfaidh sé achainí a thíolacadh chun na Cúirte ina leagfar amach an chúis nach féidir leis a fhiacha a íoc agus á iarraidh go gcosnófar a phearsa agus a mhaoin ar aon chaingean nó ar aon phróis eile go dtí go ndéanfar ordú eile.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar achainí den sórt sin, an chosaint sin a dheonú le hordú agus an céanna a athnuachan ó am go ham mar is cuí léi.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt diúltú cosaint a dheonú d'aon fhéichiúnaí is comhalta de chomhpháirtíocht mura dtéann na comhpháirtithe go léir i bpáirt san achainí.
(4) San alt seo folaíonn “próis” toghairm féimheachta agus clárú mionnscríbhinne i leith breithiúnais faoin Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850.
(5) Le linn d'ordú cosanta a bheith i bhfeidhm ní bheidh creidiúnaí i dteideal aon mhionnscríbhinn dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (4) a chlárú agus ní bheidh aon éifeacht le haon chlárú airbheartaithe.
(6) Má bhíonn féichiúnaí, tráth a achainí, i bpríosún de bhua alt 6 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, féadfaidh an Chúirt, tar éis cosaint a dheonú, a ordú go scaoilfear saor é.
Srian le déileáil le maoin.
(Nua)
88.—Tar éis ordú cosanta a bheith deonaithe agus a fhad a bheidh sé i bhfeidhm ní cead don fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, gan cead roimh ré ón gCúirt, a mhaoin ná aon chuid dá mhaoin a chur i ngeall ná scaradh léi ná í a dhiúscairt, ach amháin i ngnáthchúrsa trádála nó gnó.
Éifeacht na cosanta ar orduithe forghníomhaithe.
(Nua)
89.—(1) Féadfar ordú cosanta a dheonú d'ainneoin ordú forghníomhaithe a bheith ar láimh sirriam nó cláraitheora contae agus oibreoidh an t-ordú chun cosaint a thabhairt ar fhorghníomhú ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear leis an alt seo.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an t-ordú cosanta difear d'ordú forghníomhaithe a mbeidh an sirriam nó an cláraitheoir contae tar éis urghabháil a dhéanamh nó seilbh a ghlacadh dá bhun, agus i gcás den sórt sin, féadfaidh an creidiúnaí forghníomhaithe cibé méid dá fhiach a ghnóthú a réadófar leis an bhforghníomhú.
(3) In aon chás nach mbeidh an sirriam nó an cláraitheoir contae tar éis urghabháil a dhéanamh nó seilbh a ghlacadh de bhun ordú forghníomhaithe, cosnóidh an t-ordú cosanta an féichiúnaí ar phróis eile maidir leis an ordú forghníomhaithe agus beidh an creidiúnaí forghníomhaithe faoi cheangal ag an gcomhshocraíocht.
An nós imeachta ar chosaint a dheonú.
(Nua)
90.—Ar ordú cosanta a dheonú—
(a) ordóidh an Chúirt don fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta réamhchruinniú dá chreidiúnaithe a ghairm agus ag an gcruinniú sin tíolacfaidh an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta ráiteas i dtaobh a shócmhainní agus a dhliteanas agus coimeádfaidh sé miontuairisc ar na himeachtaí;
(b) ordóidh an Chúirt suí príobháideach a thionól os comhair na Cúirte (a thionólfar ar dháta a bheidh sonraithe san ordú) chun a thogra a bhreithniú;
(c) seachadfaidh an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta meabhrán láithreach ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil ina mbeidh:
(i) dáta an ordaithe cosanta,
(ii) a ainm agus a sheoladh,
(iii) an méid dliteanas atá urraithe, páirt-urraithe agus neamhurraithe,
(iv) an méid sócmhainní,
agus seachadfaidh sé dúblach den mheabhrán sin ar an bPríomh-Oifig.
Ráitis a chomhdú.
(1857, a. 345 go páirt.)
91.—Déanfaidh an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, dhá lá ar a laghad roimh an suí príobháideach dá dtagraítear in alt 90, iad seo a leanas a chomhdú in Oifig an tSannaí Oifigiúil—
(a) ráiteas gnóthaí san fhoirm fhorordaithe, ar a mbeidh formhuinithe cibé togra is féidir leis a dhéanamh chun na fiacha nó na gealltanais atá leagtha amach sa ráiteas sin a íoc nó a chomhréiteach sa todhchaí, agus
(b) cóip den ráiteas a rinneadh ag an réamhchruinniú agus cóip den mhiontuairisc ar na himeachtaí maille le haon togra a rinneadh ag an réamhchruinniú nó ag aon atráthú de.
Glacadh le togra.
(1857, a. 346 go páirt., a. 348)
(1857, a. 347)
(1857, ailt 346, 347)
92.—(1) (a) Má tharlaíonn ag an suí príobháideach dá dtagraítear in alt 90 nó ag aon atráthú de, go nglacann trí chúigiú de na creidiúnaithe, ó thaobh lín agus luacha, a vótálann ag an suí sin, cibé go pearsanta nó trí ghníomhaire a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn chuige sin, leis an togra nó le haon mhodhnú air, measfar go mbeidh glactha ag na creidiúnaithe leis, faoi réir cheadú na Cúirte.
(b) Má cheadaíonn an Chúirt, beidh an togra nó aon mhodhnú air ina cheangal ar an bhféichiúnaí comhshocraíochta agus ar na daoine go léir ba chreidiúnaithe ar dháta na hachainí agus dár tugadh fógra faoin suí.
(2) Ní bheidh creidiúnaí i dteideal vótáil más lú ná £100 an fiach a bheidh dlite dó.
(3) Freastalóidh an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta ar an suí agus beidh cumhacht ag an gCúirt é féin nó aon fhinné a thabharfaidh sé i láthair nó aon chreidiúnaí nó duine a éilíonn gur creidiúnaí é a scrúdú faoi mhionn.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chúirt a cheangal ar aon duine a scrúdófar amhlaidh scríbhinn dá fhianaise a shíniú.
(5) Féadfar fiacha a chruthú ag an suí.
Dílsiú don Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(Nua)
93.—(1) Má dhéantar socrú sa togra chun maoin uile an fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta nó cuid di a dhílsiú don Sannaí Oifigiúil, mar urrús do thairiscint nó chun an mhaoin a réadú agus a dháileadh, dílseoidh an mhaoin sin don Sannaí Oifigiúil, má thoilíonn sé, de réir théarmaí an togra, ar an togra a bheith ceadaithe ag an gCúirt.
(2) I gcás an mhaoin go léir nó cuid di a bheith dílsithe don Sannaí Oifigiúil chun í a réadú agus a dháileadh, beidh ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil chun na críche sin na cumhachtaí sin go léir i ndáil leis an maoin a bhíonn aige i gcás féimheachta. San Acht seo gairtear “comhshocraíocht dílseacháin” do thogra faoina ndílsítear maoin amhlaidh.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag alt 46 (a bhaineann le deimhniú dílseacháin) maidir le maoin a dhílsíonn don Sannaí Oifigiúil faoin alt seo.
Dáileadh maoine i gcomhshocraíocht dílseacháin.
(Nua)
94.—(1) Nuair a bheidh dóthain airgid ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil chun téarmaí comhshocraíochta dílseacháin a chur i ngníomh tíolacfaidh sé don Chúirt lena gceadú liosta creidiúnaithe lenar ghlac sé féin nó an Chúirt, cóip de chuntas iomchuí an fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta ina leabhair, sonraí maidir le caiteachais, táillí, costais, íocaíochtaí tosaíochta agus díbhinn is iníoctha le creidiúnaithe agus a thuarascáil ar réadú an eastáit.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt cibé ordú a dhéanamh is cuí léi chun an t-eastát nó aon chuid de a dháileadh trí na caiteachais, na táillí, na costais agus na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta, maille leis an díbhinn iomchuí, a íoc.
(3) Déanfar ansin an tuarascáil agus an cuntas, i dteannta an ordaithe ón gCúirt, a chomhdú sa Phríomh-Oifig agus beidh cead ag gach creidiúnaí dá mbeidh fógra faoin gcomhdú tugtha i cibé foirm a fhorordófar, iad a iniúchadh. Ní ghearrfar aon táille as an gcomhad a iniúchadh.
(4) Más rud é, ar chúis ar bith, nach ndáilfear eastát an fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta go hiomlán le hordú den sórt sin, déanfar an dara dáileadh agus dáiltí ina dhiaidh sin a luaithe is caoithiúil tar éis réadú an eastáit iarmharaigh. Is ionann an nós imeachta agus an nós imeachta le haghaidh an chéad dáilte.
(5) In aon chás nach mbeidh aon airgead nó, i dtuairim an tSannaí Oifigiúil, nach mbeidh dóthain airgid, ar fáil le dáileadh ar na creidiúnaithe, féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú go n-íocfar caiteachais, táillí agus costais san ord sin a mhéid a sheasfaidh an t-airgead. I gcás iarmhéid a bheith fágtha, aistreofar é go dtí an cuntas dá dtagraítear in alt 84 (1).
Suí príobháideach speisialta.
(cf. 1857, ailt 351, 353 go páirt.)
95.—(1) I gcás go mbeidh togra ceadaithe, agus go measfaidh an Chúirt go bhfuil sé riachtanach agus inmhianaithe déanamh amhlaidh, féadfaidh an Chúirt ar iarratas ón bhféichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a chur faoi deara suí príobháideach speisialta a thionól.
(2) Ag an suí sin, féadfaidh tromlach de na creidiúnaithe ó thaobh lín agus luacha a mbeidh cruthúnas acu ar fhiacha nach lú ná £100, an togra a dhaingniú, a athrú nó a neamhniú.
(3) Más rud é, áfach, nach mbeidh an tríú cuid de na creidiúnaithe sin, ó thaobh lín agus luacha, i láthair ag an suí ní bheidh an cinneadh a dhéanfar ag an suí bailí mura gceadaíonn an Chúirt é.
Éifeacht a thabhairt do thogra.
(Nua)
96.—Measfar éifeacht a bheith tugtha do thogra—
(a) i gcás comhshocraíochta dílseacháin, ar é a bheith ceadaithe ag an gCúirt, agus
(b) in aon chás eile, cibé tráth a fhorordófar.
Lóisteáil leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(Nua)
97.—I gcás an togra ó fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a bheith ceadaithe (nach togra é lena socraítear go ndílseoidh a mhaoin go léir nó cuid di don Sannaí Oifigiúil lena réadú nó lena dáileadh), déanfaidh an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, laistigh den tréimhse fhorordaithe, an méid is gá chun caiteachais, táillí, costais agus na híocaíochtaí tosaíochta a íoc, maille leis an airgead tirim, na billí nó na nótaí gealltanais (más ann) dá bhforáiltear sa togra, a lóisteáil leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil chun críocha dáilte.
Deimhniú féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta.
(Nua: cf. 1872, a. 64 go páirt.)
98.—I gcás éifeacht a bheith tugtha do thogra an fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta déanfaidh an Chúirt, ar thuarascáil an tSannaí Oifigiúil a fháil agus d'éagmais calaoise, deimhniú a dheonú don fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta faoi shéala na Cúirte, agus oibreoidh an deimhniú mar urscaoileadh don fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta ó éilimh na gcreidiúnaithe a fuair fógra i dtaobh na comhshocraíochta.
Foilsiú i ndáil le comhshocraíochtaí.
(Nua)
99.—(1) Ní dhéanfar gnóthaí an achainígh ná na himeachtaí in ábhar comhshocraíochta a fhoilsiú gan cead na Cúirte, seachas foilsiú a dhéanamh in iris trádála bona fide ar na sonraí a bheidh leagtha amach sna doiciméid a chomhdófar sa Phríomh-Oifig faoi alt 90.
(2) Beidh aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) ciontach i gcion.
An Sannaí Oifigiúil do ghlacadh seilbhe ar mhaoin.
(cf. 1857, a. 344 go páirt.)
100.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón Sannaí Oifigiúil nó ó aon chreidiúnaí, aon tráth tar éis ordú cosanta a bheith déanta (agus ar chúis leordhóthanach a bheith suite) a ordú go ndéanfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil maoin an fhéichiúnaí comhshocraíochta nó aon chuid di a shealbhú agus a ghlacadh.
Ordú cosanta a urscaoileadh.
(Nua)
101.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt, aon tráth tar éis an tsuí phríobháidigh dá dtagraítear in alt 90, a ordú go n-urscaoilfear an t-ordú cosanta ar iarratas chuige sin a bheith déanta ag an bhféichiúnaí comhshocraíochta le comhthoiliú gach creidiúnaí a raibh fógra aige faoin suí príobháideach agus nach lú ná £100 a fhiach.
Barrachas.
(cf. 1872, a 65 go páirt.)
102.—(1) Aon uair is dóigh leis an gCúirt go bhfuil aon mhaoin de chuid féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a mbeidh an deimhniú atá luaite in alt 98 faighte aige dílsithe fós don Sannaí Oifigiúil nó ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú ordóidh an Chúirt an mhaoin a athdhílsiú nó a thabhairt ar ais, de réir mar a bheidh, don fhéichiúnaí, dá ionadaithe pearsanta nó dá shannaithe pearsanta.
(2) Measfar chun gach críche gur tíolacas, sannadh nó aistriú maoine an t-ordú agus, más iomchuí, féadfar é a chlárú dá réir sin.
Earraí a fuarthas ar creidmheas.
(Nua)
103.—Má fhaigheann an féichiúnaí earraí ar creidmheas laistigh de cheithre lá déag sula ndéantar ordú cosanta agus a fhios aige ag an am nach mbeidh sé in ann íoc astu, féadfaidh an Chúirt más cuí léi, ar iarratas ón gcreidiúnaí, a ordú go dtabharfar na hearraí ar ais nó go n-íocfar astu go hiomlán.
Suí príobháideach le haghaidh fiosrúcháin.
(cf. 1857, a. 353 go páirt.)
104.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt aon tráth, maidir le hábhar comhshocraíochta, ar iarratas ón Sannaí Oifigiúil nó ó aon duine ag a bhfuil leas, suí príobháideach a cheapadh le haghaidh fiosrúcháin agus an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta nó aon duine eile a thoghairm os a chomhair agus é a scrúdú i dtaobh aon ní a mheasfaidh an Chúirt a bheith ábhartha maidir leis an gcomhshocraíocht.
Féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a bhreithniú.
(Nua: cf. 1857, a. 353 go páirt.)
105.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, más cuí léi, an féichiúnaí a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach i gcás—
(a) nach ndéanann sé na doiciméid a éilítear le halt 91 a chomhdú ar an modh forordaithe agus laistigh den tréimhse atá sonraithe san alt sin, nó
(b) nach nglacfar nó nach gceadófar a thogra nó aon mhodhnú air ag an suí príobháideach dá dtagraítear in alt 90, nó ag aon atráthú de, nó
(c) go ndéanfar a thogra a neamhniú faoi alt 95 (2), nó
(d) go suífear, aon tráth tar éis a achainí le haghaidh comhshocraíochta a thíolacadh, go bhfuil an mhionnscríbhinn a comhdaíodh leis an achainí bréagach go toiliúil nó nach ndearna sé a mhaoin, a shócmhainní agus a dhliteanais a nochtadh go hiomlán, nó
(e) go ndealraíonn sé nach mian leis comhshocraíocht bona fide a dhéanamh lena chreidiúnaithe go léir, nó
(f) nach togra réasúnach agus cóir a thogra le forghníomhú faoi threoir na Cúirte, nó
(g) nach mbeidh sé i láthair go cuí ag an suí príobháideach nó ag aon atráthú de, nó
(h) go mainneoidh sé déanamh de réir aon ordú ón gCúirt a dhéanann difear dó agus a dhéanfar san ábhar comhshocraíochta, nó
(i) gur páirtí é in aon chomhaontú éillitheach lena chreidiúnaithe chun a áirithiú go nglacfar lena thogra.
(2) Ar bhreithniú faoi fho-alt (1), rachaidh an Chúirt ar aghaidh amhail mar a dhéanfadh i bhféimheacht agus cuirfidh sí faoi deara fógra a thabhairt láithreach faoin mbreithniú ar an modh forordaithe san Iris Oifigiúil agus i nuachtán laethúil amháin ar a laghad, agus beidh an t-achainíoch faoi réir dhlínse na Cúirte ar an modh céanna le haon fhéimheach eile, agus is togra ar neamhní aon togra a bheidh déanta, glactha nó ceadaithe.
Comhpháirtithe a fhaigheann cosaint na Cúirte.
(Nua)
106.—(1) I gcás go bhfaighidh beirt chomhalta nó níos mó de chomhpháirtíocht cosaint na Cúirte agus go gcuirfidh siad tograí faoi bhráid a gcreidiúnaithe chun a gcomhdhliteanais agus a ndliteanais leithleacha a íoc nó a chomhréiteach, breithneoidh, an Chúirt na comhaltaí go léir ina bhféimhigh i gcás nach nglacfar le haon togra acu.
(2) Ar bhreithniú faoi fho-alt (1), rachaidh an Chúirt ar aghaidh amhail mar a dhéanfadh i bhféimheacht agus cuirfidh sí faoi deara fógra a thabhairt láithreach faoin mbreithniú ar an modh forordaithe san Iris Oifigiúil agus i nuachtán laethúil amháin ar a laghad, agus beidh an t-achainíoch faoi réir dhlínse na Cúirte ar an modh céanna le haon fhéimheach eile, agus is togra ar neamhní aon togra a bheidh déanta, glactha nó ceadaithe.
Finnéithe a thoghairm.
(1857, a. 353 go páirt.)
107.—Is ionann an nós imeachta chun finnéithe a thoghairm i gcomhshocraíocht leis an nós imeachta i bhféimheacht agus beidh cumhacht den chineál céanna ag an gCúirt chun tabhairt orthu teacht i láthair.
Comhshocraíochtaí a chlárú.
(Nua: cf. 1887, c. 57, a. 7; 1890, c. 24, a. 2)
108.—(1) Cothabhálfar clár sa Phríomh-Oifig chun meabhráin a sheachadtar ar an oifig sin faoi alt 90 a chomhdú.
(2) Féadfar foráil a dhéanamh le rialacha cúirte le haghaidh nithe atá coimhdeach le coimeád an chláir.
An Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887, a eisiamh.
(Nua)
109.—Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Deeds of Arrangement Act, 1887 maidir le comhshocraíocht faoin gCuid seo.
CUID V
Foirceannadh ag Iontaobhaí
Ordú foirceanta.
(1872, ailt 87-122)
110.—Más rud é, ag an suí reachtúil dá dtagraítear in alt 17 (3) nó ag aon atráthú de, go ndéanfaidh trí chúigiú ar a laghad de na creidiúnaithe, ó thaobh lín agus luacha, a vótálann ag an gcruinniú, go pearsanta nó trí dhuine a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn chuige sin, a dhearbhú le rún go ndéanfaidh iontaobhaí agus coiste iniúchta eastát an fhéimhigh a fhoirceannadh agus go gceapfaidh siad chun na críche sin iontaobhaí agus coiste iniúchta ar a mbeidh cúigear creidiúnaithe ar a mhéid a bheidh cáilithe chun vótáil ag an gcruinniú, féadfaidh an Chúirt ar iarratas chuici chuige sin a ordú go bhfoirceannfar maoin an fhéimhigh amhlaidh.
Dílsiú d'iontaobhaí.
111.—An mhaoin de chuid an fhéimhigh a dhílsíonn don Sannaí Oifigiúil faoin Acht seo, dídhílseoidh sí de ar ordú a bheith déanta faoi alt 110 agus dílseoidh an mhaoin sin don iontaobhaí.
Cumhachtaí iontaobhaí, etc.
112.—(1) Beidh an t-iontaobhaí faoi réir rialú na Cúirte san fhoirceannadh agus beidh aird aige ar aon ordacháin a thabharfaidh an coiste iniúchta dó nó a thabharfar dó le rún ó na creidiúnaithe ag an suí reachtúil nó ag aon suí dá éis.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (1), beidh na cumhachtaí go léir ag an iontaobhaí agus féadfaidh sé na feidhmeanna go léir a chomhlíonadh a thugtar don Sannaí Oifigiúil leis an Acht seo i ndáil le maoin a dhílsítear dó agus beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Achta seo (seachas forálacha Chodanna IV agus VI), fara aon mhodhnuithe is gá, i ndáil le foirceannadh maoine féimhigh ag iontaobhaí agus coiste iniúchta amhail mar atá feidhm acu i ndáil le riaradh maoine den sórt sin ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil agus cuirfear an t-iontaobhaí isteach in ionad an tSannaí Oifigiúil sna forálacha sin nuair is iomchuí.
(3) Déanfar socrú ag an suí reachtúil maidir leis na nithe seo:
(a) luach saothair an iontaobhaí,
(b) an t-iontaobhaí do thabhairt tuarascálacha rialta ag suíonna dá éis sin i ndáil leis an bhfoirceannadh,
(c) an nós imeachta a leanfaidh an t-iontaobhaí agus é ag lóisteáil airgid a gheobhaidh sé,
(d) iniúchadh chuntais an iontaobhaí, agus
(e) cibé nithe eile a fhorordófar.
Ordú urscaoilte.
113.—Nuair a bheidh maoin an fhéimhigh réadaithe go hiomlán agus díbhinn dheiridh íoctha leis na creidiúnaithe, tabharfaidh an t-iontaobhaí tuairisc don Chúirt, agus más deimhin leis an gCúirt go bhfuil an t-eastát foirceanta go hiomlán dearbhóidh sí an fhéimheacht a bheith urscaoilte agus ordóidh sí go scaoilfear an t-iontaobhaí.
Cumhachtaí na Cúirte.
114.—I gcás ordú a dhéanamh faoin gCuid seo chun maoin an fhéimhigh a fhoirceannadh ag iontaobhaí agus coiste iniúchta, beidh cumhacht ag an gCúirt, faoi réir fhorálacha na Coda seo, cibé orduithe a dhéanamh agus cibé ordacháin a thabhairt i ndáil leis an bhféimheach, a chreidiúnaithe, a fhéichiúnaithe agus a mhaoin agus i ndáil le scrúdú daoine (lena n-áirítear an féimheach), agus i ndáil le nithe eile, a bheadh aici mura mbeadh iontaobhaí agus coiste iniúchta ceaptha faoin gCuid seo.
CUID VI
Eastáit Daoine a Fhaigheann Bás agus iad Dócmhainneach
Achainí chun eastát duine a fhaigheann bás agus é dócmhainneach, a riaradh i bhféimheacht.
(Nua)
115.—(1) Féadfaidh na daoine seo a leanas achainí chun eastát duine éagtha a riaradh faoin gCuid seo a thíolacadh don Chúirt—
(a) aon chreidiúnaí a mbeadh a fhiach leordhóthanach chun tacú le hachainí féimheachta in aghaidh an duine éagtha i gcás é bheith beo, agus
(b) ionadaí pearsanta an duine éagtha.
(2) I gcás gur creidiúnaí a thíolacfaidh an achainí, seirbheálfar fógra ina thaobh ar ionadaí pearsanta an duine éagtha.
(3) I gcás nach eol aon ionadaí pearsanta a bheith ann, féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú go seirbheálfar fógra ar cibé duine agus ar cibé slí is cuí léi nó féadfaidh sí an tseirbheáil a ligean thar ceal.
(4) Ní dhéanfar achainí le haghaidh riaradh faoin gCuid seo a thíolacadh don Chúirt tar éis tús a bheith curtha le himeachtaí sa Chúirt Chuarda chun eastát an duine éagtha a riaradh, ach féadfaidh an chúirt sin, nuair is deimhin léi nach leor an t-eastát chun na fiacha a íoc, na himeachtaí a aistriú chun na Cúirte agus air sin féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh chun eastát an duine éagtha a riaradh faoin gCuid seo.
Éifeacht fógra faoi achainí a sheirbheáil ar ionadaí pearsanta.
(Nua)
116.—(1) Tar éis fógra faoi thíolacadh achainí a sheirbheáil ar an ionadaí pearsanta, ní oibreoidh aon íocaíocht nó aistriú maoine a dhéanfaidh an t-ionadaí pearsanta mar urscaoileadh dó amhail idir é féin agus an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(2) Ach amháin mar atá ráite thuas ní chuirfidh aon ní sa Chuid seo ó bhail aon íocaíocht a rinne an t-ionadaí pearsanta, nó aon ghníomh nó ní a rinne sé, de mheon macánta roimh dháta an ordaithe chun eastát an duine éagtha a riaradh faoin gCuid seo.
Ordú le haghaidh riaradh faoi Chuid VI.
(Nua)
117.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar achainí a bheith tíolactha, mura ndealraíonn sé gur dócha le réasún go mbeidh an t-eastát leordhóthan ach chun fiacha an duine éagtha a íoc, ordú a dhéanamh chun eastát an duine éagtha a riaradh faoin gCuid seo nó féadfaidh sí, ar chúis a bheith suite, an achainí a dhíbhe fara nó d'éagmais costas.
(2) I gcás gur creidiúnaí a thíolacfaidh an achainí, cruthóidh sé a fhiach don Chúirt sula ndéanfar ordú.
(3) Féadfar ordú a dhéanamh faoin alt seo d'ainneoin nach eol aon ionadaí pearsanta de chuid an duine éagtha a bheith ann.
Dílsiú agus dáileadh.
(Nua)
118.—(1) Ar ordú a bheith déanta chun eastát an duine éagtha a riaradh faoin gCuid seo, dílseoidh a mhaoin don Sannaí Oifigiúil lena réadú agus lena dáileadh.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag alt 46 (a bhaineann le deimhniú dílseacháin) maidir le maoin a dhílseoidh don Sannaí Oifigiúil faoin alt seo.
Tosaíocht ag caiteachais adhlactha agus tiomnacha.
(Nua)
119.—Le linn eastát an duine éagtha a bheith á riaradh faoin gCuid seo, beidh na caiteachais adhlactha agus tiomnacha cuí a tabhaíodh iníoctha go hiomlán i dtosaíocht ar gach íocaíocht eile, d'ainneoin aon ní contrártha dó sin san achtachán seo nó in aon achtachán eile.
Feidhm an Achta.
(Nua)
120.—Beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Achta seo, a mhéid is infheidhme iad agus maille le modhnuithe iomchuí, i gcás ordú le haghaidh riaradh faoin gCuid seo amhail mar atá feidhm acu i gcás ordú breithnithe ach amháin nach mbeidh feidhm ag ailt 50, 57, 58 agus 59.
Barrachas.
(Nua)
121.—(1) Más rud é, ar eastát an duine éagtha a riaradh faoin gCuid seo, go mbeidh aon mhaoin dílsithe fós don Sannaí Oifigiúil nó ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú, tar éis soláthar a dhéanamh le haghaidh na gcaiteachas, na dtáillí agus na gcostas, maille leis na fiacha agus na dliteanais agus ús de réir an ráta reatha is iníoctha ar fhiacha breithiúnais, ordóidh an Chúirt an mhaoin a íoc le hionadaí pearsanta an duine éagtha, nó a sheachadadh air nó a dhílsiú dó, nó mura bhfuil aon ionadaí pearsanta ann, i cibé slí a ordóidh an Chúirt.
(2) Measfar chun gach críche gur tíolacas, sannadh nó aistriú maoine an t-ordú agus, más iomchuí, féadfar é a chlárú dá réir sin.
Srian le ceart coinneála.
(cf. 27/1965, a. 46)
122.—I gcás go ndéanfar ordú le haghaidh riaradh faoin gCuid seo ní bheidh ceart coinneála ionadaí phearsanta infheidhmithe ach féadfaidh sé cruthúnas a thabhairt i dtaobh aon fhéich a bheidh dlite dó a bheadh inchruthaithe thairis sin.
CUID VII
Cionta
Pionóis a chur ar fhéichiúnaithe calaoiseacha.
(1872, c. 57, a. 11; 33/1963, a. 293)
123.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), beidh féimheach nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta ciontach i gcion más rud é—
(a) nach nochtfaidh sé don Chúirt nó don Sannaí Oifigiúil, nó do cibé duine nó daoine a ordóidh an Chúirt ó am go ham, a mhaoin go léir agus conas agus cé chuige agus cad é an chomaoin ar ina leith, agus cathain, a dhiúscair sé aon chuid de, ach amháin an chuid a diúscraíodh i ngnáthshlí a thrádála (más ann) nó a caitheadh ar ghnáthchaiteachais a theaghlaigh, nó
(b) nach dtabharfaidh sé suas don Sannaí Oifigiúil, nó de réir mar a ordóidh seisean nó an chúirt, iomlán cibé cuid dá mhaoin atá ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú, agus a gceanglaítear air de réir dlí í a thabhairt suas, nó
(c) nach dtabharfaidh sé suas don Sannaí Oifigiúil, nó de réir mar a ordóidh seisean, nó an Chúirt, gach leabhar agus páipéar atá ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú a bhaineann lena eastát agus a gceanglaítear air de réir dlí iad a thabhairt suas, nó
(d) go gceilfidh sé aon chuid dá mhaoin is fiú £500 nó níos mó, nó go gceilfidh sé aon fhiach a bheidh dlite dó nó dlite de, nó
(e) go ndéanfaidh sé aon chuid dá mhaoin is fiú £500 nó níos mó a thabhairt chun siúil go calaoiseach, nó
(f) nach ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas gnóthaí a chomhdú nó a sheachadadh mar a cheanglaítear le halt 19 (c) nó go bhfágfaidh sé aon ní ábhartha ar lár as aon ráiteas a bhaineann lena ghnóthaí, nó
(g) go ndéanfaidh sé, agus a fhios aige nó é á chreidiúint go ndearna aon duine fiach bréagach a chruthú faoin bhféimheacht nó faoin gcomhshocraíocht, mainneachtain ar feadh tréimhse míosa an méid sin a chur in iúl don sannaí Oifigiúil, nó
(h) go gcoiscfidh sé aon leabhar nó páipéar a thabhairt ar aird a dhéanann difear dá eastát nó a bhaineann leis, nó
(i) go ndéanfaidh sé aon leabhar nó páipéar a dhéanann difear dá eastát nó a bhaineann leis a cheilt, a dhíothú, a lot nó a fhalsú, nó go mbeidh sé ionpháirteach sa cheilt, sa díothú, sa lot nó san fhalsú sin, nó
(j) go ndéanfaidh sé aon taifead bréagach in aon leabhar nó páipéar a dhéanann difear dá eastát nó a bhaineann leis nó go mbeidh sé ionpháirteach ina dhéanamh, nó
(k) go ndéanfaidh sé go calaoiseach, aon doiciméad a dhéanann difear dá eastát nó a bhaineann leis a ligean uaidh nó a athrú nó aon ní a fhágáil ar lár as, nó go mbeidh sé ionpháirteach go calaoiseach ina ligean uaidh nó ina athrú nó in aon ní a fhágáil ar lár as, nó
(l) go ndéanfaidh sé iarracht ar chuntas a thabhairt in aon chuid dá mhaoin trí chaillteanais nó caiteachais bhréige, nó
(m) go bhfaighidh sé aon mhaoin ar creidmheas trí aon chalaois nó trí aon fhaisnéis bhréagach, nó
(n) go bhfaighidh sé aon mhaoin ar creidmheas ar an dúmas bréige go bhfuil gnó á sheoladh aige agus, más trádálaí é, go bhfuil déileáil ar siúl aige i ngnáthshlí a thrádála, nó
(o) go ndéanfaidh sé aon mhaoin a fuair sé ar creidmheas a gheallearbadh, a chur i ngeall nó a dhiúscairt mura rud é, i gcás trádálaí, gur i ngnáthshlí a thrádála a dhéanfar an geallearbadh, an cur i ngeall nó an diúscairt sin, nó
(p) go mbeidh sé ciontach in aon chalaois nó in aon fhaisnéis bhréagach chun toiliú a fháil óna chreidiúnaithe nó ó aon duine acu le comhaontú maidir lena ghnóthaí nó leis an bhféimheacht nó leis an gcomhshocraíocht.
(2) Is cosaint mhaith é ar chúiseamh faoi aon cheann de na míreanna (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (n) agus (o) d'fho-alt (1), má chruthaíonn an cúisí nach raibh aon intinn aige calaois a dhéanamh, agus ar chúiseamh faoi aon cheann de na míreanna (h), (i) agus (j) den fho-alt sin, má chruthaíonn sé nach raibh aon intinn aige staid a ghnóthaí a cheilt ná an dlí a shárú.
(3) (a) Aon duine (seachas féimheach nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta) a dhéanfaidh aon cheann de na gníomhartha atá luaite i míreanna (e), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n) nó (o) d'fho-alt (1), le hintinn calaois a dhéanamh ar a chreidiúnaithe, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus chun na críche sin déanfar tagairtí i míreanna (e) nó (k) do ghníomh atá calaoiseach nó a dhéantar go calaoiseach a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí do ghníomh a dhéantar le hintinn calaois a dhéanamh ar chreidiúnaithe.
(b) I gcás go ndéanfaidh duine dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo gníomh a shonraítear sa mhír sin laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag díreach sula mbreithnítear é nó sula ndeonaítear ordú cosanta dó, toimhdeofar go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt gur le hintinn calaois a dhéanamh ar a chreidiúnaithe a rinneadh an gníomh.
(4) Má dhéanann aon duine aon mhaoin a gheallearbadh, a chur i ngeall nó a dhiúscairt in imthosca a fhágann gur cion é faoi mhír (o) d'fho-alt (1) nó faoi fho-alt (3), beidh gach duine a ghlacfaidh an mhaoin ar gheallearbadh nó i ngeall nó a ghlacfaidh í ar dhóigh eile, agus a fhios aige go ndearnadh í a gheallearbadh nó a chur i ngeall nó a dhiúscairt sna himthosca sin a dúradh, ciontach i gcion freisin agus dlífear é a phionósú ionann is dá mbeadh sé ciontach i gcion faoin mír sin (o) nó faoin bhfo-alt sin (3).
Féichiúnaí éalaitheach.
(1872, c. 57, a. 12)
124.—Má dhéanann aon duine, le hintinn calaois a dhéanamh ar a chreidiúnaithe, an Stát a fhágáil agus aon chuid dá mhaoin is fiú £500 nó níos mó a thabhairt leis, nó má dhéanann sé iarracht nó ullmhúchán déanamh amhlaidh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Comhaontú éillitheach le creidiúnaithe.
(cf. 1857, a. 150 go páirt; 1872, a. 76)
125.—Aon chreidiúnaí de chuid féimhigh nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a fhaigheann nó a ghlacann aon mhaoin ón bhféimheach nó ón bhféichiúnaí comhshocraíochta nó ó aon duine eile mar aslú as gan cur i gcoinne nó as glacadh le haon tairiscint imshocraíochta nó aon togra nó aon mhodhnuithe orthu a rinne an féimheach nó an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta nó a rinneadh thar a cheann, beidh éileamh an chreidiúnaí ar neamhní agus neamh-inghnóthaithe agus beidh an creidiúnaí agus an duine eile sin (más ann) ciontach araon i gcion.
Éileamh bréagach.
(1872, c. 57, a. 14)
126.—Más rud é, le hintinn calaois a dhéanamh, go ndéanfaidh aon chreidiúnaí, nó aon duine a éilíonn gur creidiúnaí é, in aon fhéimheacht nó comhshocraíocht, aon éileamh bréagach nó go dtabharfaidh sé aon chruthú, dearbhú nó ráiteas cuntas nach mbeidh fíor in aon phonc ábhartha, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Maoin iarfhaighte a fhágáil gan nochtadh.
(Nua)
127.—Aon fhéimheach a mhainneoidh aon mhaoin iarfhaighte a nochtadh don Sannaí Oifigiúil beidh sé ciontach i gcíoh.
Cosc a chur ar oifigigh.
(cf. 1857, a. 389)
128.—Aon duine a dhéanfaidh an Cigire Féimheachta nó aon duine dá chúntóirí nó aon duine eile a chomhrac, a bhacadh nó a chosc go feasach agus go toiliúil i bhforghníomhú a dhualgas faoin Acht seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Creidmheas a fháil nó gabháil do thrádáil faoi ainm eile.
(Nua)
129.—Aon fhéimheach nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta—
(a) a gheobhaidh, ina aonar nó i gcomhpháirt le duine eile, creidmheas is fiú £500 nó níos mó ó aon duine gan a chur in iúl don duine sin gur féimheach nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta é, nó
(b) a bheidh ag gabháil d'aon trádáil nó gnó faoi ainm seachas an t-ainm ar faoi a breithníodh é ina fhéimheach nó a deonaíodh cosaint dó gan a nochtadh do gach duine lena ndéanann sé aon idirbhearta gnó cén t-ainm faoinar breithníodh é nó faoinar deonaíodh cosaint amhlaidh dó,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Fógrán a chur isteach gan údarás.
(1857, a. 396)
130.—I gcás go ndéanfaidh aon duine go toiliúil, nó go gcuirfidh sé faoi deara go toiliúil go ndéanfar, fógrán faoin Acht seo a chur isteach san Iris Oifigiúil nó in aon nuachtán gan údarás faoin Acht seo, nó a dhéanann amhlaidh agus a fhios aige an fógrán a bheith bréagach in aon phonc ábhartha, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Dliteanas coiriúil tar éis neamhniú.
(Nua)
131.—I gcás féimheach nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta a bheith ciontach in aon chion, ní bheidh díolúine aige ó imeachtaí a thionscnamh ina choinne mar gheall ar an gcion de bhíthin a fhéimheacht a bheith urscaoilte nó neamhnithe nó de bhíthin éifeacht a bheith tugtha dá thogra.
Pionóis i leith cionta.
(Nua)
132.—(1) Maidir le gach duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin Acht seo dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó, de rogha na Cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na Cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná cúig bliana nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag alt 13 den Acht um Nós Imeachta Coiriúil, 1967, i ndáil le cion faoin Acht seo ionann is dá sonrófaí san alt sin, in ionad na bpionós dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (3) den alt sin, na pionóis dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (1) (a) den alt seo, agus déanfar an tagairt i bhfo-alt (2) (a) den alt sin 13 do na pionóis dá bhforáiltear san fho-alt sin (3) a fhorléiriú, agus beidh éifeacht léi, dá réir sin.
CUID VIII
Ilghnéitheach
Tréimhse do chaingne.
(Nua)
133.—Ní iontaobhaí chun críocha Reacht na dTréimhsí, 1957, an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
Imeachtaí a sheoladh go príobháideach.
(cf. 1857, a. 354 go páirt.)
134.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú gur go príobháideach a sheolfar aon suí iomlán nó aon chuid d'aon suí de chuid na Cúirte nó aon imeachtaí ar aon ní faoin Acht seo.
Cumhacht na Cúirte a horduithe a athbhreithniú.
(cf. 1872, a. 6; 1897, ailt 3, 4)
135.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú a bheidh déanta aici i gcúrsa ábhair féimheachta, seachas ordú urscaoilte nó neamhnithe, a athbhreithniú, a chealú nó a athrú.
Éifeacht breithnithe ar leigheasanna creidiúnaithe.
(cf. 1857, a. 262; 1872, a. 68 go páirt.)
136.—(1) Ar ordú breithnithe a bheith déanta, aon chreidiúnaí a mbeidh aon fhiach is inchruthaithe i bhféimheacht dlite dó den fhéimheach, ní bheidh leigheas aige i gcoinne mhaoin nó phearsa an fhéimhigh maidir leis an bhfiach seachas a chearta faoin Acht seo, agus ní thionscnóidh sé aon imeachtaí maidir leis an bhfiach sin ach amháin le cead na Cúirte agus ar cibé téarmaí a fhorchuirfidh an Chúirt.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an t-alt seo difear do chumhacht creidiúnaí urraithe a urrús a réadú nó déileáil leis an urrús sin ar shlí eile ar an modh céanna a mbeadh sé i dteideal é a réadú nó déileáil leis dá mba nár achtaíodh an t-alt seo.
Cumhacht chun imeachtaí i gcoinne féimhigh a bhacadh nó a shrianadh.
(Nua; cf. 33/1963, a. 217)
(cf. 1857, a. 262 go páirt.)
137.—(1) Féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil—
(a) i gcás aon imeachtaí i gcoinne an fhéimhigh a bheith ar feitheamh san Ard-Chúirt nó faoi achomharc sa Chúirt Uachtarach, iarratas a dhéanamh chun na cúirte ina bhfuil na himeachtaí ar feitheamh chun bac a chur ar na himeachtaí sin, agus
(b) i gcás aon imeachtaí eile a bheith ar feitheamh i gcoinne an fhéimhigh, iarratas a dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte chun srian a chur le himeachtaí eile sa Chúirt sin,
agus féadfaidh an chúirt a ndéanfar an t-iarratas chuici an t-iarratas a dheonú ar cibé téarmaí agus ar feadh cibé tréimhse is cuí léi.
(2) I gcás aon imeachtaí i gcoinne féimhigh a bhacadh nó a shrianadh de bhun fho-alt (1), beidh éifeacht leis na forálacha seo a leanas:
(a) ní dhlífidh an creidiúnaí aon chostais a íoc a thabhóidh an féimheach nó an Sannaí Oifigiúil sna himeachtaí sin;
(b) más i gcoinne an fhéimhigh i gcomhpháirt le haon duine eile a tionscnaíodh na himeachtaí, ní dhéanfar difear dá bharr sin do na himeachtaí i gcoinne an duine eile sin.
Comhpháirtíochtaí agus eastáit daoine éagtha a fhoirceannadh.
(Nua)
138.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar fhógra a thabhairt do cibé daoine a ordóidh sí, cibé orduithe a dhéanamh agus cibé ordacháin a thabhairt is cóir léi chun aon chomhpháirtíocht nó eastát aon duine éagtha ina bhfuil leas ag an bhféimheach a fhoirceannadh agus chun gnóthaí an chéanna a shocrú.
(2) Déanfar gach cuntas agus fiosrúchán iarmhartach a thógáil agus a dhéanamh i cibé oifig de chuid na Cúirte a ordóidh an Chúirt.
Toirmeasc ar thochsal tar éis breithniú nó cosanta.
(Nua)
139.—Ní thoibheofar aon tochsal ar earraí féimhigh nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta tar éis dháta an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta.
Fianaise dhuine éagtha.
(1857, a. 365)
140.—I gcás go n-éagfaidh aon fhinné a mbeidh teistíocht déanta aige in aon imeachtaí faoin Acht seo, beidh an teistíocht a airbheartófar a bheith séalaithe le séala na Cúirte, nó cóip den teistíocht a airbheartófar a bheith séalaithe amhlaidh, ina fianaise ar na nithe a theistítear sa teistíocht sin.
Fógra san Iris Oifigiúil nó i nuachtán.
(cf. 1857, ailt 358, 364)
141.—Aon fhógra a fhoilseofar de bhun an Achta seo san Iris Oifigiúil nó in aon nuachtán beidh sé ina fhianaise ar na nithe atá san fhógra.
Gníomhú i gcabhair ar chúirteanna eile.
(1872, a. 71)
142.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt agus a hoifigigh gníomhú i gcabhair ar aon chúirt i dTuaisceart Éireann, i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, in Albain, in Oileán Mhanann nó in Oileáin Mhuir nIocht, agus ar a hoifigigh faoi seach, ar iarraidh ón gcúirt sin, in aon ábhar féimheachta a bheidh os comhair na cúirte sin, agus beidh an dlínse chéanna agus an t-údarás céanna ag an gCúirt agus ag a hoifigigh nuair a bheidh siad ag gníomhú amhlaidh a bheadh acu i gcás féimheachta a thionscnaítear faoi ordú ón gCúirt.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, le hordú, fo-alt (1) a chur chun feidhme i ndáil le haon dlínse eile ar deimhin leis an Rialtas go gcuirfidh an dlínse sin saoráidí cómhalartacha ar fáil chuige sin.
(b) Féadfar ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo a chur faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, eisceachtaí agus agús a shonrófar san ordú.
(c) Féadfaidh an Rialtas ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm le hordú.
(d) Beidh feidhm dlí ag ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo de réir a théarmaí.
(e) Ar chúlghairm a dhéanamh ar ordú chun fo-alt (1) a chur chun feidhme i ndáil le haon dlínse, scoirfidh an fo-alt sin d'fheidhm a bheith aige i ndáil leis an dlínse sin.
(f) Foilseofar gach ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo san Iris Oifigiúil a luaithe is féidir.
Teorainneacha airgid a athrú.
(Nua)
143.—Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú méadú nó laghdú a dhéanamh ar aon cheann de na suimeanna a shonraítear in ailt 8 (1) (a) agus (2), 11 (1) (a), 15, 39 (4), 45 (1), 61 (3) (h) agus (k), 81 (1) (b) agus (c), 92 (2), 95 (2), agus 101, ach ní dhéanfaidh aon ordú den sórt sin difear d'aon chás inar breithníodh duine ina fhéimheach nó inar deonaíodh cosaint dó sular tháinig sé i bhfeidhm.
Orduithe a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
(Nua)
144.—Gach ordú a dhéanfar faoi alt 142 (2) nó 143, leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe, beidh an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú.
AN CHÉAD SCEIDEAL
Cruthúnas ar Fhiacha
Ginearálta
1. Cruthóidh gach creidiúnaí a fhiach agus aon chreidiúnaí nach ndéanfaidh amhlaidh ní bheidh sé i dteideal bheith rannpháirteach in aon dáileadh a dhéanfar.
2. (a) Féadfaidh creidiúnaí a fhiach a chruthú trí shonraí i dtaobh a fhéich (dá ngairtear “cruthúnas ar fhiach” sa Sceideal seo) a sheachadadh nó a chur leis an bpost chuig an Sannaí Oifigiúil.
(b) Ní dhéanann fomhír (a) dochar don teideal atá ag creidiúnaí a fhiach a chruthú ag suí den Chúirt.
3. Féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil tréimhse a shocrú nach mór cruthúnais ar fhiacha a chur chuige laistigh di. Ní cheadófar cruthúnas a chuirfear isteach ina dhiaidh sin ach amháin le hordú ón gCúirt.
4. Féadfar cruthúnas ar fhiach a thabhairt i bhfoirm ráitis cuntais mionsonraithe, i bhfoirm mionnscríbhinne féich nó ar mhodhanna forordaithe eile.
5. Sonróidh an creidiúnaí na dearbháin nó aon fhianaise eile lena bhféadfar tacú a thabhairt don fhiach. Tabharfaidh sé sonraí freisin i dtaobh aon fhrithéilimh a bheidh, go bhfios dó, ag an bhféimheach nó ag an bhféichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, agus cuirfidh sé in iúl cé acu an creidiúnaí urraithe é nó nach ea.
6. Beidh na sonraí a cheanglaítear le halt 16 (2) den Acht Iasachtaithe Airgid, 1933, i gceangal le cruthúnas ar fhiach maidir le hairgead arna thabhairt ar iasacht ag iasacht ag iasachtóir airgid.
7. Beidh mionnscríbhinn ag teastáil in aon chás ina mbeidh díospóid ann i dtaobh an fhéich nó más cuí leis an gCúirt nó leis an Sannaí Oifigiúil é.
8. Féadfar cruthúnas ar fhiach a thabhairt le mionn nó le mionnscríbhinn an chreidiúnaí féin nó le mionn nó le mionnscríbhinn duine éigin eile a bheidh údaraithe ag an gcreidiúnaí nó thar a cheann, agus más duine a bheidh údaraithe amhlaidh a thabharfaidh é déarfar ann cén t-údarás atá aige foinse a eolais.
9. Faoi réir mhír 24 (5), féadfaidh creidiúnaí, le toiliú an tSannaí Oifigiúil, a chruthúnas ar fhiach a leasú.
10. Gach creidiúnaí a mbeidh cruthúnas ar fhiach lóisteáilte aige beidh sé i dteideal cruthúnais chreidiúnaithe eile a fheiceáil agus a scrúdú.
11. Féadfaidh fearchéile agus banchéile fiach a chruthú i gcoinne a chéile amhail is nach mbeidís pósta.
12. Beidh iontaobhaí aonair (lena n-áirítear ionadaí pearsanta) is féimheach nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta, i dteideal, gan cead na Cúirte, cruthúnas a thabhairt ina fhéimheacht nó ina chomhshocraíocht féin maidir le fiach a bheidh dlite de don eastát iontaobhais. Aon díbhinn maidir le fiach den sórt sin íocfar í le Cuntasóir na hArd-Chúirte chun creidmheas an eastáit iontaobhais.
13. Más rud é ar dháta an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta go mbeidh féimheach nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta faoi dhliteanas maidir le conarthaí ar leithligh mar chomhalta de dhá ghnólacht ar leithligh nó níos mó nó mar chonraitheoir aonair agus freisin mar chomhalta de ghnólacht, ní thoirmeascfar cruthúnas maidir leis na conarthaí sin i gcoinne na maoine a bheidh faoi dhliteanas faoi seach de réir na gconarthaí sin de bhíthin gurb iad na pearsana aonair céanna, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, atá sna gnólachtaí sin nó gur duine de na comhchonraitheoirí an conraitheoir aonair freisin.
14. Maidir le haon fhiach nó suim chinnte, is iníoctha tráth áirithe nó ar shlí eile, nach mbeidh ús forchoimeádta air ná comhaontú ann ina leith, agus a bheidh thar téarma ar dháta an bhreithnithe, féadfaidh an creidiúnaí cruthúnas a thabhairt le haghaidh úis de réir an ráta reatha is iníoctha ar fhiacha breithiúnais go dtí an dáta sin ón tráth a raibh an fiach nó an tsuim iníoctha, má bhíonn an fiach nó an tsuim iníoctha tráth áirithe de bhua ionstraime i scríbhinn, agus má bhíonn sé iníoctha ar shlí eile, ansin ón tráth a mbeidh éileamh i scríbhinn déanta ag tabhairt fógra go n-éileofar ús ó dháta an éilimh go dtí tráth na híocaíochta.
15. Maidir le fiacha a bheidh dlite tar éis an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta, agus a rabhthas faoi dhliteanas ina leith ar dháta an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta sin, féadfaidh creidiúnaí cruthúnas a thabhairt le haghaidh luach an fhéich ar an dáta sin.
16. Más rud é, maidir le duine a dhlífidh aon íocaíocht thréimhsiúil a dhéanamh (lena n-áirítear cíos), go mbreithneofar ina fhéimheach é nó go ndeonófar ordú cosanta dó, ar lá seachas an lá a thiocfaidh an íocaíocht sin chun bheith dlite, féadfaidh an duine a mbeidh teideal aige chun na híocaíochta cruthúnas a thabhairt le haghaidh cuid chomhréireach den íocaíocht i leith na tréimhse ón dáta ar tháinig an íocaíocht dheireanach chun bheith dlite go dtí dáta an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta amhail is dá mbeadh an íocaíocht dlite ar bhonn fabhraithe ó lá go lá.
17. (1) I gcás creidmheasanna nó fiacha frithpháirteacha a bheith ann amhail idir féimheach agus aon duine a bheidh ag éileamh mar chreidiúnaí, féadfar fiach nó éileamh amháin a fhritháireamh i gcoinne an chinn eile agus ní bheidh inghnóthaithe ar thaobh amháin nó ar an taobh eile ach an t-iarmhéid a fhionnfar a bheith dlite.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag alt 36 den Acht um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961 (lena ndéantar socrú maidir le héilimh a fhritháireamh), arna leasú le halt 5 den Acht um Dhliteanas Sibhialta (Leasú), 1964, ach tagairt d'fhomhír (1) a chur isteach in alt 36 (3) in ionad na tagartha d'alt 251 den Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857.
18. Ní dhéanann an Sceideal seo dochar d'alt 61 den Acht um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961 (lena ndéantar foráil maidir le héilimh ar dhamáistí nó ar ranníoc maidir le héagóir a chruthú) ná d'alt 62 den Acht sin (lena ndéantar foráil maidir le húsáid airgid is iníoctha faoi pholasaithe árachais áirithe i gcás go dtagann an duine árachaithe chun bheith ina fhéimheach).
19. Mura n-ordaíonn an Chúirt a mhalairt, is faoi chreidiúnaí a bheidh sé a chostais féin a íoc maidir le fiach a chruthú.
20. Féadfaidh an Chúirt aon duine atá ag iarraidh fiach a chruthú nó a n-éilítear cruthúnas breise uaidh, nó aon duine eile, a scrúdú i ndáil leis sin.
21. Más rud é, le hintinn calaois a dhéanamh, go ndéanfaidh creidiúnaí nó duine eile aon éileamh bréagach nó go dtabharfaidh sé aon chruthú, dearbhú nó ráiteas cuntas os comhair na Cúirte nó ina mhionnscríbhinn nach mbeidh fíor in aon phonc ábhartha i ndáil le fiacha a chruthú, féadfaidh an Chúirt i dteannta aon phionóis eile dá bhforáiltear san Acht seo, an t-éileamh a dhícheadú go hiomlán nó go páirteach.
22. Sula ndéanfaidh sé cinneadh ar éileamh, féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil a cheangal ar chreidiúnaí faisnéis nó cruthúnas breise a sholáthar nó teacht i láthair os a chomhair.
23. Déileáfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil le héilimh ar an modh seo a leanas:
(a) Ullmhóidh sé liosta, arna dheimhniú aige, de na héilimh.
(b) Taífeadfar sa liosta sin—
(i) na héilimh a bheidh ceadaithe aige, a mheasfar a bheith admhaithe, agus
(ii) na héilimh a bheidh dícheadaithe aige nó ar dóigh leis nach cóir iad a admháil gan iad a tharchur chun na Cúirte.
(c) Déanfaidh sé fiacha a bheidh faoi dhíospóid a tharchur chun na Cúirte chun a mbreithnithe.
(d) Déanfar cinneadh an tSannaí Oifigiúil maidir le héileamh a dhaingniú i scríbhinn chuig an gcreidiúnaí.
(e) Aon duine arb éagóir leis cinneadh an tSannaí Oifigiúil féadfaidh sé achomharc a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte.
(f) Cuirfidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil cóip den liosta ar chomhad na Cúirte.
(g) Beidh cead ag an bpobal an liosta a iniúchadh ar tháille fhorordaithe a íoc ach ní ghearrfar aon táille ar chreidiúnaithe a iniúchfaidh an liosta.
Creidiúnaithe Urraithe
24. (1) Má réadaíonn creidiúnaí urraithe a urrús, féadfaidh sé cruthúnas a thabhairt le haghaidh an iarmhéid a bheidh dlite dó tar éis an glanmhéid a réadaíodh a asbhaint agus féadfaidh sé díbhinní a fháil ar an iarmhéid ach sin ar chaoi nach gcuirfidh as d'aon díbhinn a bheidh dearbhaithe cheana an tráth sin. Má ghéilleann sé a urrús chun leas ginearálta na gcreidiúnaithe, féadfaidh sé cruthúnas a thabhairt le haghaidh a fhéich go léir.
(2) Mura réadaíonn nó mura ngéilleann creidiúnaí urraithe a urrús, déanfaidh sé, roimh chéimniú le haghaidh díbhinne, sonraí a urrúis, an dáta ar tugadh é agus a luach de réir a mheasúnachta féin, a shonrú ina chruthúnas, agus ní bheidh sé i dteideal díbhinn a fháil ach amháin maidir leis an iarmhéid a bheidh dlite dó tar éis an luach a mheasúnófar amhlaidh a asbhaint.
(3) Ní bheidh creidiúnaí urraithe i dteideal a urrús a ghéilleadh tar éis an ama a bheidh socraithe ag an Sannaí Oifigiúil chun cruthúnais ar fhiacha a fháil, ach amháin le hordú na Cúirte.
(4) (a) I gcás gurb é an creidiúnaí a dhéanfaidh urrús a luacháil, féadfaidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil é a fhuascailt aon tráth ar an luach measúnaithe a íoc leis an gcreidiúnaí. Mura mbíonn an Sannaí Oifigiúil sásta leis an luach measúnaithe féadfaidh sé a cheangal go ndéanfar an mhaoin a chuimsítear in aon urrús a luacháiltear amhlaidh, a thairiscint lena díol cibé tráth agus ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha ar a gcomhaontóidh sé féin agus an creidiúnaí, nó ceal comhaontú, a ordóidh an Chúirt. Más trí cheant poiblí a dhéantar an díol, féadfaidh an creidiúnaí, nó an Sannaí Oifigiúil thar ceann an eastáit, imthairiscint nó ceannach a dhéanamh.
(b) Féadfaidh an creidiúnaí aon tráth, áfach, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, a cheangal ar an Sannaí Oifigiúil a roghnú cé acu a fheidhmeoidh nó nach bhfeidhmeoidh sé a chumhacht chun an t-urrús a fhuascailt nó chun a cheangal é a thairiscint lena dhíol, agus mura gcuirfidh an Sannaí Oifigiúil in iúl don chreidiúnaí i scríbhinn, laistigh de thrí mhí tar éis an fógra a fháil, go bhfuil roghnaithe aige an chumhacht a fheidhmiú, ní bheidh sé i dteideal í a fheidhmiú; agus is don chreidiúnaí a dhílseoidh an cothromas fuascailte, nó aon leas eile sa mhaoin a chuimsítear san urrús atá dílsithe don Sannaí Oifigiúil, agus laghdófar méid fhiach an chreidiúnaí den méid is ionann agus an luacháil a tugadh don urrús.
(5) I gcás go mbeidh luacháil tugtha ag creidiúnaí dá urrús féadfaidh sé an luacháil agus an cruthúnas a leasú aon tráth ar a shuíomh chun sástacht an tSannaí Oifigiúil nó na Cúirte gur tugadh an luacháil agus an cruthúnas bona fide ar bhonn meastacháin earráidigh, ach is ar an gcreidiúnaí a bheidh costas gach leasaithe den sórt sin agus déanfar é ar cibé téarmaí a ordóidh an Chúirt, mura gceadaíonn an Sannaí Oifigiúil an leasú gan iarratas chun na Cúirte.
(6) I gcás luacháil a bheith leasaithe de réir fhomhír (5), aisíocfaidh an creidiúnaí láithreach aon díbhinn barrachais a bheidh faighte aige de bhreis ar an méid a mbeadh teideal aige chuige de réir na luachála leasaithe nó, de réir mar a bheidh, beidh sé i dteideal aon díbhinn nó cuid de dhíbhinn nach bhfuair sé de bhíthin an chéad luacháil a bheith míchruinn, a íoc leis as aon airgead a bheidh ar fáil le haghaidh díbhinní de thuras na huaire, sula gcuirfear an t-airgead sin chun feidhme chun aon díbhinn a íoc ina dhiaidh sin ach ní bheidh sé i dteideal cur as do dháileadh aon díbhinne a dearbhaíodh roimh dháta an leasaithe.
(7) Má dhéanann creidiúnaí, tar éis a urrús a luacháil, an t-urrús a réadú ina dhiaidh sin, nó má réadaítear é faoi fhorálacha fhomhír (4), cuirfear an glanmhéid a réadaítear in ionad mhéid aon luachála a bheidh déanta ag an gcreidiúnaí roimhe sin, agus déileálfar leis i ngach slí mar luacháil leasaithe arna déanamh ag an gcreidiúnaí.
(8) Má fhionntar aon tráth nach raibh sé ráite sa mhionnscríbhinn a thug creidiúnaí urraithe nó a tugadh thar a cheann gur creidiúnaí urraithe é, géillfidh an creidiúnaí sin a urrús don Sannaí Oifigiúil chun leas ginearálta na gcreidiúnaithe mura n-ordaíonn an Chúirt a mhalairt ar iarratas chuici, agus féadfaidh an Chúirt a cheadú an mhionnscríbhinn a leasú ar cibé téarmaí maidir le haisíoc aon díbhinne nó thairis sin is cóir leis an gCúirt.
(9) Mura gcomhlíonann creidiúnaí urraithe fomhír (8), eiseofar é ó gach cuid d'aon díbhinn.
(10) Faoi réir fhorálacha fhomhír (4), ní bhfaighidh an creidiúnaí i gcás ar bith méid is mó ná punt sa phunt maille le hús, i gcás go mbeidh an creidiúnaí i dteideal cruthúnas a thabhairt le haghaidh úis.
(11) I gcás go sealbhóidh morgáistí, mar urrús, polasaí árachais ar shaol féimhigh nó féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta ina mbeidh foráil go ndéanfar, i gcás nach n-íocfar préimheanna, na préimheanna sin a urscaoileadh go huathrialach as airgead is iníoctha faoin bpolasaí, glacfar leis nach lú luach an pholasaí chun críche cruthúnais san fhéimheacht nó sa chomhshocraíocht ná an luach amhail ar dháta an bhreithnithe nó an ordaithe cosanta; ar choinníoll go bhféadfaidh an morgáistí, má éagann an féimheach nó an féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta sula ngéilltear an polasaí, iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte chun a urrús a athluacháil.
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
Aisghairm
Seisiún agus Caibidil nó Bliain agus Uimhir | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
20 agus 21 Vict. c. 60 | Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 | An tAcht go léir |
35 agus 36 Vict. c. 57 | Debtors Act (Ireland), 1872 | Ailt 11 agus 12, agus 14 go 22 |
35 agus 36 Vict. c. 58 | Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872 | An tAcht go léir |
51 agus 52 Vict. c. 44 | Local Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1888 | An tAcht go léir |
52 agus 53 Vict. c. 60 | Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1889 | An tAcht go léir |
53 agus 54 Vict. c. 24 | Deeds of Arrangement Amendment Act, 1890 | An tAcht go léir |
Alt 12 | ||
Alt 3 | ||
Alt 17 (1) a mhéid a thagraíonn sé d'alt 313 den Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 | ||
Alt 32 (3) | ||
In alt 11 (1) na focail ó “agus folaíonn sé” go dtí deireadh an fho-ailt. | ||
In alt 23: fo-alt (3) agus an tagairt do Chúirt Féimheachta Áitiúil Chorcaí i bhfo-ailt (4), (5) agus (6). | ||
In alt 286 (1), na focail “tíolacadh achainí féimheachta ar” agus “dá cionn” | ||
Alt 345 (8) | ||
Alt 28 (2) | ||
Alt 26 |