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  • Insolvency service

    Administration/investigation of bankrupts and companies in liquidation; disqualification of directors; regulating insolvency profession; Northern Ireland-specific legislation and policy.



    contents

    Introduction to the Insolvency Service

    The Insolvency Service is a division within the Department's Infrastructure and Regulation group.

    • What the Insolvency Service does
    • Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020

    Insolvency creditors

    Details on what it means for creditors when a person or company that owes them money is declared insolvent.

    • Insolvency Guidance
    • Insolvency Service - do it online
    • Pay your deposit online

    Debt relief orders

    A debt relief order (DRO) provides relief from debt, subject to some exceptions. You can also search the debt relief order register.

    Insolvency practitioners

    Guidance for insolvency practitioners and for dealing with insolvency practitioners.

    • Dear IP Letter 57
    • Monitoring of Insolvency Practitioner Authorising Bodies
    • SIP Consultations

    Disqualification of directors

    This section concerns the directors disqualification process and the restrictions that apply when a disqualification order has been made against a person.

    • Directors disqualification register
    • Insolvency Guidance
    • Insolvency Service - do it online

    Insolvency and partnerships

    Information on insolvency as regards business partnerships.

    • Insolvency Registers - where to find information
    • Insolvency Guidance
    • Insolvency Service - do it online

    Company liquidation

    Details on what happens when a company is liquidated, how to go about liquidation, and possible alternatives.

    • Insolvency Guidance
    • Form 2.18BA The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 Notice of deemed approval of proposals
    • Insolvency Service - do it online

    Bankruptcy in Northern Ireland

    Information on bankruptcy including how to initiate bankruptcy, its effects, what it means for creditors, and alternative measures.

    • Bankruptcy
    • Effect of bankruptcy
    • Creditors of a bankrupt

    Insolvency related complaints

    Make a complaint against the Insolvency Service, a bankrupt or disqualified director acting illegally, or an insolvency practitioner.

    • Insolvency Guidance
    • Individual Voluntary Arrangement Register
    • Making a complaint against a bankrupt or disqualified director acting illegally

    Insolvency Service notice - revocation of recognition of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland as a Recognised Professional Body

    Article 350N of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Revocation of recognition at the request of a body)

    Related to Insolvency service

    Most recent publications

    • Insolvency Service Annual Report 2023

      Published 17 February 2025
    • The Companies (Disqualification Orders) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

      Published 30 October 2024
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • Proposals to Amend the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 and the Insolvent Partnerships Order (Northern Ireland) 1995

      Published 6 November 2024 Consultation closed
    • Proposed increases to the Monetary Eligibility Limits for Debt Relief Orders in Northern Ireland

      Published 26 January 2022 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • County Antrim director accepts disqualification undertaking for seven years

      Published 12 June 2025
    • County Londonderry director accepts seven year disqualification undertaking

      Published 2 June 2025
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department for the Economy including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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