- February 26, 2023
- Posted by: Gill Hadley
- Category: Insolvent Director

If you’re bankrupt, you can’t be a director of a limited company until the court removes the financial restrictions on you and releases you of your obligations. This typically happens within twelve months following that date on the bankruptcy judgment however, it could be longer. In the case of an unrelieved bankrupt, you’re also not allowed to being a part of an LLC in several other ways, which we’ll go over in the following section.
Is bankruptcy a word?
The Insolvency Service administers the process. the Insolvency Service, bankruptcy is a form of insolvency that allows people to pay off personal debts they are unable to pay back within a reasonable amount of time.
When a person is declared bankrupt, creditors are not able to pursue any further actions against that person to collect their debts. Neither are they able to pursue payment, or and charge interest on outstanding debts or even contact the bankrupt person.
Bankruptcy is a serious matter The procedure should be only used only as a last resort. Personal assets, including your home or car can be taken away. Also, you will lose any savings or shares you hold However, pensions are generally secure.
The bankruptcy will be recorded on your credit record for a period of six years. This can affect your ability to hold or get work, especially when you are employed in the legal or financial sector. The bankruptcy process can also impact the terms of tenancy agreements, making it difficult to obtain credits in the coming.
Who is liable to be bankrupted?
“Bankruptcy” only applies to individuals. This includes directors of companies, LLP members, partners in general partnerships and sole traders. However, it doesn’t apply to partnerships or companies. The term that is used to describe partnership or companies who are not able to pay the debts they owe is “insolvency”.
What is the procedure for a person to become bankrupt?
There are two methods by which individuals can become bankrupt. You may either file an application in order to be declared bankrupt or your creditors may file a apply to declare you bankrupt if they fail to pay your dues.
Limitations on bankruptcy for limited company directors
Bankruptcy can have a major impact on directors of limited companies. Pursuant to Section 11 of the Company Director’s Disqualification Act (1986):
It is a criminal offence for an individual to serve as a director of a business or to directly or indirectly participate in or participate with the promotion, creation or administration of an business without the permission of the court at the time that […] they are a non-charged bankrupt or bankrupt in England as well as Wales as well as Scotland or Northern Ireland.
This means that until you’re discharged from your bankruptcy decree it is not possible to (without the permission of the court):
- Be appointed director of a limited corporation.
- remain in the role of director of the company.
- Be involved in the registration, management or promotion of an LLC.
- perform the role of an LLP member
- Be involved as part of the registration process, administration and promotion business activities
- operate a business under an unrelated name, but without informing those you conduct business with you are a bankrupt with no discharge
Do directors of companies have a responsibility for their delinquencies?
Additionally, you are not able to take out over PS500 without notifying the lender that you’re bankrupt. You cannot also become an insolvency professional.
These bankruptcy restrictions will be in effect until the bankruptcy is over.
You are the only director in the company
When you’re the sole director of a limited-company and you are declared bankrupt, then you are required to quit. That means your company will dissolve. If you wish to keep your business running then you must nominate a director to oversee it on your behalf. This must be done before you’re declared bankrupt, or else, the company could be dissolved.
If you decide to choose an interim director and you are able to work for the company an employee. You are not allowed to have an involvement with direction of the company until you have been discharged from bankruptcy, unless you are granted permission by the court. This means that you can’t perform any director’s duties or influence the decisions or actions of the director’s successor or the new director in any manner.
Director Appointment and Resignation Service
Failure to comply with these limitations could result in prolonging the bankruptcy decree. There is also the possibility of criminal charges.
If you’re involved as a shareholder in your company, the shares will go to the trustee chosen to oversee your bankruptcy. Your trustee could become an officially appointed receiver, or insolvency specialist.
If you are sole director and don’t hold any shares in the company, shareholders can choose to nominate another director to succeed you and allow the business to continue following your departure. The new director has to be chosen prior to the time the date of your bankruptcy. If there is no replacement director appointed the business will be shut down.
If the company is run by other directors, they will be able to vote.
If you declare bankruptcy and the company is run by others directors on the board, then you need to inform them immediately and then resign as a director of the business. You are not able to be appointed as a director nor be involved in the running of the company until your bankruptcy has been dissolved even though you are employed by the business.
Does a director who is bankrupt work as sole trader?
People who are bankrupt, even those who were directors of companies may act as sole trader. However, certain restrictions may be in place until the bankruptcy decree is released.
You are required to trade under your own name or under the name you used to trade under before you declared bankrupt. The name you use must be clearly stated on all documents for business.
In addition, you are unable to get credit that is greater than PS500 without notifying the lender that you’re an unpaid bankrupt.
Company Dissolution Service – PS69.99
How long is bankruptcy expected to last?
The bankruptcy process, as well as all restrictions that are imposed generally is over when you’re discharged from bankruptcy. It usually happens one year after becoming bankruptcy. However, it may be extended in the event that you do not cooperate to your banker.
After you’ve been released and resigned, you are eligible to become director of a company. This means that you’re allowed to be appointed to the company that you resigned, participate in the management and advancement of a business or even register the company of your choice.
If you do, however, receive an Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (BRO) is issued to you, then the terms of the bankruptcy decree could be in effect for as long as 15 years that could stop you from serving as director of a company for the period of time allotted.