The Official Receiver

An Official Receiver is a civil servant in The Insolvency Service and an officer of the court. The Official Receiver has responsibility for administering your bankruptcy and protecting your assets from the date of the bankruptcy order. He or she will act as trustee of your estate unless an insolvency practitioner is appointed.

The Official Receiver is also responsible for looking into your financial affairs for the period before and during your bankruptcy. He or she may report to the court and has to report to your creditors. There will also be a need to report any matters which indicate that you may have committed criminal offences in connection with your bankruptcy.

An insolvency practitioner

Insolvency practitioners are usually accountants or solicitors, who specialise in insolvency work. An insolvency practitioner, who must be authorised, can be appointed trustee instead of the Official Receiver. He or she is then responsible for disposing of your assets and making payments to your creditors.

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Updated: 17/10/2011