Insolvency Service notice - Revocation of recognition of the Law Society of Northern Ireland as a Recognised Professional Body
Date published:
Article 350N of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
(Revocation of recognition at the request of a body)
Notice in accordance with Article 350N(3) of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
The Law Society of Northern Ireland
On the 25th February 2025, the Law Society of Northern Ireland (“the Society”), asked the Department for the Economy (“the Department”) to consider a request made by it under Article 350N(1) of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, that it should cease to be a Recognised Professional Body (“RPB”) for the purposes of Article 350 of the Insolvency
The Department has considered this request and is satisfied that it is appropriate in all the circumstances to revoke the recognition of that body in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 350N of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
Accordingly, the Department has decided to make the Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025. The Order takes effect from 5 November 2025.
The reasons for making this Order in relation to the Law Society of Northern Ireland are:
- The Society informed the Department, that in early 2024 it notified its three Solicitor Insolvency Practitioners (SIPs) of its decision to discontinue their authorisation upon the expiry of their current practising certificates on 6 January 2025.
- Since this notification, the SIPs have taken appropriate steps to ensure the orderly conclusion or transfer of their active cases.
- Two of those SIPs ceased to practise as an SIP, following the expiry of their licences; the third SIP obtained certification from another RPB.
As a result, the Society no longer authorises any SIPs.
This decision reflects the Society’s assessment of the appropriate and proportionate use of its resources in continuing as an RPB for SIPs within this jurisdiction.
The Department is satisfied that the Society has taken all necessary steps to facilitate the transition, including:
- Informing the affected SIPs of the need to seek alternative authorisation or conclude their work as IPs;
- Collaborating with other RPBs to ensure continuity for any cases requiring transfer; and
- Establishing procedures to address any complaints regarding the work of SIPs while they were authorised by the Society.
Accordingly, the Society has stated that it wishes to have action taken, in accordance with Article 350N of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, to terminate its role as a recognised professional body.
The Department intends to comply with those wishes by making an Order to be known as the Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.
This Order will remove the Law Society of Northern Ireland from the list of bodies specified as recognised professional bodies for the purposes of Article 350 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 which is in the Schedule to the Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) Order (Northern Ireland) 1991. The Order does not have to be laid at the Assembly.
A print version of this notice is available from the Insolvency Service, Department for the Economy, Insolvency Service, Adelaide House, 39 - 49 Adelaide Street, BELFAST BT2 8FD
Department for the Economy
5 November 2025