Corporations Amendment (Insolvency) Act 2007 (132 of 2007)

Schedule 1   Improving outcomes for creditors

Part 2   Better informing creditor decisions

Corporations Act 2001

21   After section 436D

Insert:

436DA Declarations by administrator - indemnities and relevant relationships

Scope

(1) This section applies to an administrator appointed under section 436A, 436B or 436C.

Declaration of relationships and indemnities

(2) As soon as practicable after being appointed, the administrator must make:

(a) a declaration of relevant relationships; and

(b) a declaration of indemnities.

Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1)).

Notification of creditors

(3) The administrator must:

(a) give a copy of each declaration under subsection (2) to as many of the company's creditors as reasonably practicable; and

(b) do so at the same time as the administrator gives those creditors notice of the meeting referred to in section 436E.

Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1)).

(4) The administrator must table a copy of each declaration under subsection (2) at the meeting referred to in section 436E.

Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1)).

Updating of declaration

(5) If:

(a) at a particular time, the administrator makes:

(i) a declaration of relevant relationships; or

(ii) a declaration of indemnities;

under subsection (2) or this subsection; and

(b) at a later time:

(i) the declaration has become out-of-date; or

(ii) the administrator becomes aware of an error in the declaration;

the administrator must, as soon as practicable, make:

(c) if subparagraph (a)(i) applies - a replacement declaration of relevant relationships; or

(d) if subparagraph (a)(ii) applies - a replacement declaration of indemnities.

Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1)).

(6) The administrator must table a copy of a replacement declaration under subsection (5):

(a) if:

(i) there is a committee of creditors; and

(ii) the next meeting of the committee of creditors occurs before the next meeting of the company's creditors;

at the next meeting of the committee of creditors; or

(b) in any other case - at the next meeting of the company's creditors.

Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1)).

Defence

(7) In a prosecution for an offence constituted by a failure to include a particular matter in a declaration under this section, it is a defence if the defendant proves that:

(a) the defendant made reasonable enquiries; and

(b) after making these enquiries, the defendant had no reasonable grounds for believing that the matter should have been included in the declaration.