The Energy Supply Company Administration (Scotland) Rules 2013

• Citation: S.I. 2013/1047
• Sections: 105

Section 1 Citation and commencement

These Rules may be cited as the Energy Supply Company Administration (Scotland) Rules 2013 and shall come into force on 7th June 2013.

Section 2 Construction and interpretation

(1) In these Rules—

“the 1986 Act” means the Insolvency Act 1986;

“the 2004 Act” means the Energy Act 2004;

“the 2011 Act” means the Energy Act 2011 ;

“ accounting period ” shall be construed as follows—

the first accounting period is the period of six months beginning with the date on which the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration; and

any subsequent accounting period shall be the period of six months beginning with the end of the last accounting period;

“ administrative receiver ” has the same meaning as in section 156(4) of the 2004 Act (applications for energy administration orders);

“the Companies Act” means the Companies Act 2006 ;

“GEMA” means the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority;

“ insolvency proceedings ” means any proceedings under the first group of parts in the 1986 Act or under the Insolvency (Scotland) Rules 1986 ;

“ pre-energy supply company administration costs ” has the meaning given in Rule 15(2)(a);

“ prescribed part ” has the same meaning as it does in section 176A(2)(a) of the 1986 Act (share of assets for unsecured creditors) ;

“ responsible insolvency practitioner ” means, in relation to any insolvency proceedings, the person acting as supervisor of a voluntary arrangement under Part I of the 1986 Act, or as receiver, liquidator or provisional liquidator;

“ standard content ” means—

in relation to a notice to be published or advertised in the Edinburgh Gazette, the contents specified in Rule 97(2); and

in relation to a notice to be advertised in any other way, the contents specified in Rule 98(2); and

“ venue ” means, in respect of any proceedings or meetings, the time, date and place for the proceedings or meeting.

(2) References to provisions of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act are references to those provisions as modified and applied by Schedule 20 to the 2004 Act unless otherwise stated.

(3) References to other provisions of the 1986 Act are, where those provisions have been modified by Schedule 20 to the 2004 Act, references to those provisions as so modified unless otherwise stated.

(4) Where the energy supply company is a non GB company within the meaning of section 102 of the 2011 Act (interpretation of chapter 5), references in these Rules to the affairs, business and property of the company are references only to its affairs and business so far as carried on in Great Britain and to its property in Great Britain unless otherwise stated.

(5) References to provisions of the 2004 Act are, where those provisions have been modified by the 2011 Act , references to those provisions as so modified unless otherwise stated.

(6) Where the energy supply company is an unregistered company, any requirement to send information to the registrar of companies applies only if the company is subject to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 1043 of the Companies Act (unregistered companies).

(7) A document or information given, delivered or sent in hard copy under any Rule is sufficiently authenticated if it is signed by the person sending or supplying it.

(8) A document or information given, delivered or sent in electronic form under any Rule is sufficiently authenticated—

(a) if the identity of the sender is confirmed in a manner specified by the recipient; or

(b) where no such manner has been specified by the recipient, if the communication contained or is accompanied by a statement of the identity of the sender and the recipient has no reason to doubt the truth of that statement.

Section 3 Application

These Rules apply in relation to energy supply companies which the courts in Scotland have jurisdiction to wind up.

Section 4 Form of Application

(1) Where an application is made by way of petition for an energy supply company administration order to be made in relation to an energy supply company, the petition shall state—

(a) that the company is an energy supply company; and

(b) one or both of the following—

(i) the applicant’s belief that the energy supply company is, or is likely to be, unable to pay its debts;

(ii) the Secretary of State has certified that it would be appropriate to petition for the winding up of the energy supply company under section 124A of the 1986 Act (petition for winding up on grounds of public interest) .

(2) Where an application is made by GEMA, the petition shall also state that it is made with the consent of the Secretary of State.

Section 5 Statement of proposed energy administrator

There shall be lodged together with the petition a statement of the proposed energy administrator, in the form required by Form ESCA1(S), stating—

(a) that the proposed energy administrator consents to accept appointment as energy administrator of that energy supply company; and

(b) details of any prior professional relationship that the proposed energy administrator has had with that company.

Section 6 Service of petition

(1) In addition to those persons referred to in section 156(2)(a) to (c) of the 2004 Act (applications for energy administration orders), notice of a petition shall be given by the petitioner in Form ESCA2(S) to—

(a) an administrative receiver, if appointed;

(b) any person who, to the knowledge of the petitioner, has applied to the court for an administration order under Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, without the modifications made by Schedule 20 to the 2004 Act, in relation to the energy supply company;

(c) if a petition for the winding up of the energy supply company has been presented but no order for winding up has yet been made, the petitioner under that petition;

(d) any creditor who has served notice in accordance with section 164 of the 2004 Act (restrictions on enforcement of security) of the creditor’s intention to enforce the creditor’s security over property of the energy supply company;

(e) a provisional liquidator, if appointed;

(f) the person proposed in the petition to be the energy administrator;

(g) the registrar of companies;

(h) the Keeper of the Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications for recording in that register;

(i) if the applicant is the Secretary of State, GEMA;

(j) if the applicant is GEMA, the Secretary of State;

(k) the energy supply company; and

(l) the supervisor of a voluntary arrangement under Part I of the 1986 Act, if such has been appointed.

(2) Notice of the petition shall also be given to the persons upon whom the court orders that the petition be served.

Section 7 Expenses

If the court makes an energy supply company administration order, the expenses of the petitioner, and of any other party whose expenses are allowed by the court, shall be regarded as expenses of the energy supply company administration.

Section 8 Notice of dismissal of application for an energy supply company administration order

If the court dismisses the petition the petitioner shall as soon as reasonably practicable send notice of the court’s order dismissing the petition to all those to whom the petition was notified under Rule 6 in Form ESCA3(S).

Section 9 Notification and advertisement of energy administrator’s appointment

(1) The notice of appointment, which the energy administrator must publish as soon as is reasonably practicable after appointment by virtue of paragraph 46(2)(b) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, shall be advertised in the Edinburgh Gazette in Form ESCA4(S) and may be advertised in such other manner as the energy administrator thinks fit.

(2) In addition to the standard content, the notice under paragraph (1) must state—

(a) that an energy administrator has been appointed;

(b) the date of the appointment; and

(c) the nature of the business of the company.

(3) The energy administrator shall at the same time give notice of the energy administrator’s appointment to the following persons—

(a) an administrative receiver, if appointed;

(b) a petitioner in a petition for the winding up of the energy supply company, if that petition is pending;

(c) any provisional liquidator of the energy supply company, if appointed;

(d) any person who has applied to the court for an administration order under Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, without the modifications made by Schedule 20 to the 2004 Act, in relation to the energy supply company;

(e) any supervisor of a voluntary arrangement under Part 1 of the 1986 Act;

(f) any holder of a qualifying floating charge who, to the energy administrator’s knowledge, has served notice in accordance with section 163 of the 2004 Act that the person is seeking to appoint an administrator;

(g) any creditor who, to the energy administrator’s knowledge, has served notice in accordance with section 164 of the 2004 Act (restrictions on enforcement of security) of the creditor’s intention to enforce the creditor’s security over property of the energy supply company;

(h) the Keeper of the Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications for recording in that register;

(i) if the application for the energy administration order was made by the Secretary of State, to GEMA; and

(j) if the application for the energy supply company administration order was made by GEMA, to the Secretary of State.

(4) Where, under a provision of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act or these Rules, the energy administrator is required to send a notice of the energy administrator’s appointment to any person, the energy administrator shall do so in Form ESCA5(S).

Section 10 Notice requiring statement of affairs

(1) In this Part “ relevant person ” has the meaning given to it in paragraph 47(3) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act.

(2) The energy administrator shall send to each relevant person upon whom the energy administrator decides to make a requirement under paragraph 47 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act a notice in Form ESCA6(S) requiring that relevant person to prepare and submit a statement of the energy supply company’s affairs.

(3) The notice shall inform each relevant person—

(a) of the names and addresses of all others (if any) to whom the same notice has been sent;

(b) of the time within which the statement must be delivered;

(c) of the effect of paragraph 48(4) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act (penalty for non-compliance); and

(d) of the application to the person, and to each other relevant person, of section 235 of the 1986 Act (duty to co-operate with office-holder) .

(4) The energy administrator shall furnish each relevant person upon whom the energy administrator decides to make a requirement under paragraph 47 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act with the forms required for the preparation of the statement of affairs.

Section 11 Statements of affairs and statements of concurrence

(1) The statement of the energy supply company’s affairs shall be in Form ESCA7(S), contain all the particulars required by that form and shall be a statutory declaration.

(2) Where more than one relevant person is required to submit a statement of affairs the energy administrator may require one or more such persons to submit, in place of a statement of affairs, a statement of concurrence in Form ESCA8(S); and where the energy administrator does so, the energy administrator shall inform the person making the statement of affairs of that fact.

(3) The person making the statutory declaration in support of a statement of affairs shall send the statement, together with one copy of it, to the energy administrator, and a copy of the statement to each of those persons whom the energy administrator has required to submit a statement of concurrence.

(4) A person required to submit a statement of concurrence shall deliver to the energy administrator the statement of concurrence, together with one copy of it, before the end of the period of 5 business days (or such other period as the energy administrator may agree) beginning with the day on which the statement of affairs being concurred with is received by that person.

(5) A statement of concurrence may be qualified in respect of matters dealt with in the statement of affairs, where the maker of the statement of concurrence is not in agreement with the statement of affairs, considers that statement to be erroneous or misleading, or is without the direct knowledge necessary for concurring with it.

(6) A statement of concurrence shall be a statutory declaration.

(7) Subject to Rule 12, the energy administrator shall—

(a) as soon as is reasonably practicable, file a copy of the statement of affairs and any statement of concurrence with the registrar of companies in Form ESCA9(S), and

(b) insert any statement of affairs submitted to the energy administrator, together with any statement of concurrence, in the sederunt book.

Section 12 Limited disclosure

(1) Where the energy administrator thinks that it would prejudice the conduct of the energy supply company administration or might reasonably be expected to lead to violence against any person for the whole or part of the statement of the energy supply company’s affairs to be disclosed, the energy administrator may apply to the court for an order of limited disclosure in respect of the statement, or any specified part of it.

(2) The court may order that the statement or, as the case may be, the specified part of it, shall not be filed with the registrar of companies or entered in the sederunt book.

(3) The energy administrator shall as soon as reasonably practicable file a copy of that order with the registrar of companies, and shall place a copy of the order in the sederunt book.

(4) If a creditor seeks disclosure of the statement of affairs or a specified part of it in relation to which an order has been made under this Rule, the creditor may apply to the court for an order that the energy administrator disclose it or a specified part of it.

(5) The court may attach to an order for disclosure any conditions as to confidentiality, duration and scope of the order in any material change of circumstances, and other matters as it sees fit.

(6) If there is a material change in circumstances rendering the limit on disclosure unnecessary, the energy administrator shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the change, apply to the court for the order to be discharged or varied; and upon the discharge or variation of the order the energy administrator shall, as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) file a copy of the full statement of affairs (or so much of the statement of affairs as is no longer subject to the order) with the registrar of companies;

(b) where the energy administrator has previously sent a copy of the energy administrator’s proposals to the creditors in accordance with paragraph 49 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, provide the creditors with a copy of the full statement of affairs (or so much of the statement as is no longer subject to the order) or a summary thereof; and

(c) place a copy of the full statement of affairs (or so much of the statement as is no longer subject to the order) in the sederunt book.

Section 13 Release from duty to submit statement of affairs; extension of time

(1) The power of the energy administrator under paragraph 48(2) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act to revoke a requirement under paragraph 47(1) of that Schedule or to grant an extension of time, may be exercised at the energy administrator’s own instance, or at the request of any relevant person.

(2) A relevant person whose request under this Rule has been refused by the energy administrator may apply to the court for a release or extension of time.

(3) An applicant under this Rule shall bear his own expenses, and unless the court otherwise orders, no allowance towards the expenses of an applicant under this Rule in relation to the application shall be made as an expense of the administration of the energy supply company.

Section 14 Expenses of statement of affairs

(1) A relevant person who provides to the energy administrator a statement of the affairs of the energy supply company or statement of concurrence shall be allowed, and paid by the energy administrator as an expense of the energy supply company administration, any expenses incurred by the relevant person in so doing which the energy administrator considers reasonable.

(2) Any decision by the energy administrator under this Rule is subject to appeal to the court.

(3) Nothing in this Rule relieves a relevant person from any obligation to provide a statement of affairs or statement of concurrence, or to provide information to the energy administrator.

Section 15 Energy administrator’s proposals

(1) The statement required to be made by the energy administrator under paragraph 49 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act shall include, in addition to those matters set out in that paragraph—

(a) details of the court which granted the energy supply company administration order or in which the notice of appointment was lodged, and the relevant court reference number (if any);

(b) the full name, registered address, registered number and any other trading names of the energy supply company;

(c) details relating to the energy administrator’s appointment, including the date of appointment and whether the application was made by the Secretary of State or GEMA and, where there are joint energy administrators, details of the matters set out in section 158(5) of the 2004 Act (energy administrators);

(d) the names of the directors and secretary of the energy supply company and details of any shareholdings which they have in the energy supply company;

(e) an account of the circumstances giving rise to the appointment of the energy administrator;

(f) if a statement of the energy supply company’s affairs has been submitted, a copy or summary of it, with the energy administrator’s comments, if any;

(g) if an order limiting the disclosure of the statement of affairs has been made, a statement of that fact, as well as—

(i) details of who provided the statement of affairs;

(ii) the date of the order of limited disclosure; and

(iii) the details or summary of the details that are not subject to that order;

(h) if a full statement of affairs is not provided, the names and addresses of the creditors, and details of the debts owed to, and security held by, each of them;

(i) if no statement of affairs has been submitted—

(i) details of the financial position of the energy supply company at the latest practicable date (which must, unless the court otherwise orders, be a date not earlier than that on which the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration);

(ii) the names and addresses of the creditors and details of the debts owed to, and security held by, each of them; and

(iii) an explanation as to why there is no statement of affairs;

(j) a statement complying with paragraph (3) of any pre-energy supply company administration costs charged or incurred by the energy administrator or, to the energy administrator’s knowledge, by any other person qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner;

(k) except where the energy administrator proposed a voluntary arrangement in relation to the energy supply company—

(i) to the best of the energy administrator’s knowledge and belief—

(aa) an estimate of the value of the prescribed part (whether or not the energy administrator proposes to make an application to court under section 176A(5) of the 1986 Act (share of assets for unsecured creditors) or section 176A(3) of the 1986 Act applies); and

(bb) an estimate of the value of the energy supply company’s net property,

provided that such estimates shall not be required to include any information the disclosure of which could seriously prejudice the commercial interests of the energy supply company, but if such information is excluded the estimates shall be accompanied by a statement to that effect; and

(ii) whether, and if so, why, the energy administrator proposed to make an application to court under section 176A(5) of the 1986 Act;

(l) a statement (which must comply with paragraph (4) where that paragraph applies) of how it is envisaged the objective of the energy supply company administration will be achieved and how it is proposed that the energy supply company administration shall end;

(m) the manner in which the affairs and business of the energy supply company—

(i) have, since the date of the energy administrator’s appointment, been managed and financed, including, where any assets have been disposed of, the reasons for such disposals and the terms upon which such disposals were made; and

(ii) will continue to be managed and financed; and

(n) such other information (if any) as the energy administrator thinks necessary.

(2) In this Part—

(a) “pre-energy supply company administration costs” are—

(i) fees charged; and

(ii) expenses incurred,

by the energy administrator, or another person qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner, before the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration but with a view to its doing so; and

(b) “unpaid pre-energy supply company administration costs” are pre-energy supply company administration costs which had not been paid when the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration.

(3) A statement of pre-energy supply company administration costs complies with this paragraph if it includes—

(a) details of any agreement under which the fees were charged and expenses incurred, including the parties to the agreement and the date on which the agreement was made;

(b) details of the work done for which the fees were charged and expenses incurred;

(c) an explanation of why the work was done before the company entered energy supply company administration and how it would further the achievement of the objective of the energy supply company administration;

(d) a statement of the amount of the pre-energy supply company administration costs, setting out separately—

(i) the fees charged by the energy administrator;

(ii) the expenses incurred by the energy administrator;

(iii) the fees charged (to the energy administrator’s knowledge) by any other person qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner (and, if more than one, by each separately); and

(iv) the expenses incurred (to the energy administrator’s knowledge) by any other person qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner (and, if more than one, by each separately);

(e) a statement of the amounts of pre-energy supply company administration costs which have already been paid (set out separately as under sub-paragraph (d));

(f) the identity of the person who made the payment or, if more than one person made the payment, the identity of each such person and of the amounts paid by each such person (set out separately as under sub-paragraph (d));

(g) a statement of the amounts of unpaid pre-energy supply company administration costs (set out separately as under paragraph (d)); and

(h) a statement that the payment of unpaid pre-energy supply company administration costs as an expense of the energy supply company administration is subject to approval under Rule 48.

(4) This paragraph applies where it is proposed that the energy supply company administration will end by the energy supply company moving to a creditors’ voluntary liquidation; and in that case, the statement required by paragraph (1)(l) must include—

(a) details of the proposed liquidator;

(b) where applicable, the declaration required by section 231 of the 1986 Act (appointment to office of two or more persons); and

(c) a statement that the creditors may, nominate a different person as liquidator in accordance with paragraph 83(7) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act and Rule 57.

(5) A copy of the energy administrator’s statement of the energy administrator’s proposals shall be sent to the registrar of companies together with a notice in Form ESCA10(S).

(6) Where the court orders, upon an application by the energy administrator under paragraph 107 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, an extension of the period of time in paragraph 49(5) of that Schedule, the energy administrator must as soon as reasonably practicable after the making of the order notify in Form ESCA11(S) every creditor of the energy supply company and every member of the energy supply company of whose address (in either case) the energy administrator is aware.

(7) Where the energy supply company administrator wishes to publish a notice under paragraph 49(6) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, the notice shall be advertised in such manner as the energy administrator thinks fit.

(8) A notice published under paragraph (7) must include the standard content and must also state—

(a) that members can write for a copy of the statement of proposals for achieving the purpose of energy supply company administration; and

(b) the address to which to write.

(9) The notice must be published as soon as reasonably practicable after the energy administrator sends the statement of proposals to the energy supply company’s creditors but no later than 8 weeks (or such other period as may be agreed by the creditors or as the court may order) from the date that the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration.

Section 16 Limited disclosure of paragraph 49 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act statement

(1) Where the energy administrator thinks that it would prejudice the conduct of the energy administration or might reasonably be expected to lead to violence against any person for any of the matters specified in Rule 15(1)(h) and (i) to be disclosed, the energy administrator may apply to the court for an order of limited disclosure in respect of any specified part of the statement under paragraph 49 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act containing such matter.

(2) The court may, on such application, order that some or all of the specified part of the statement must not be sent to the registrar of companies or to creditors or members of the energy supply company as otherwise required by paragraph 49(4) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act.

(3) The energy administrator must as soon as reasonably practicable send to the persons specified in paragraph 49(4) to Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act the statement under paragraph 49 of that Schedule (to the extent provided by the order) and an indication of the nature of the matter in relation to which the order was made.

(4) The energy administrator must also send a copy of the order to the registrar of companies.

(5) A creditor who seeks disclosure of a part of a statement under paragraph 49 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act in relation to which an order has been made under this Rule may apply to the court for an order that the energy administrator disclose it. The application must be supported by written evidence in the form of an affidavit.

(6) The court may make any order for disclosure subject to any conditions as to confidentiality, duration and scope of the order in the event of any change of circumstances, or other matters, as it sees just.

(7) If there is a material change in circumstances rendering the limit on disclosure or any part of it unnecessary, the energy administrator must, as soon as reasonable practicable after the change, apply to the court for the order to be discharged or varied.

(8) The energy administrator must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the making of an order under paragraph (7), send to the persons specified in paragraph 49(4) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act a copy of the statement under paragraph 49 of that Schedule to the extent provided by the order.

Section 17 Notices to creditors

(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the conclusion of a meeting of creditors to consider the energy administrator’s proposals or revised proposals, or of the conclusion of the business of such a meeting by correspondence in accordance with these Rules, the administrator shall

(a) send notice of the result of the meeting (including details of any modifications to the proposals that were approved) to every person who received notice of the meeting and to the registrar of companies;

(b) lodge in court, and send to any creditors who did not receive notice of the meeting and of whose claim the energy administrator has become subsequently aware, a copy of the notice of the result of the meeting along with a copy of the proposals which were considered at that meeting; and

(c) place a copy of the notice of the result of the meeting in the sederunt book.

(2) Where the business of a creditors’ meeting has been carried out by correspondence in accordance with Rule 23, for the references in the foregoing paragraph of this Rule to the result of the meeting and notice of the meeting there shall be substituted references to the result of the correspondence and to the correspondence.

Section 18 Meetings generally and notice

(1) This Rule and Rule 19 apply to any meetings summoned by the energy administrator under paragraph 62 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act.

(2) In fixing the venue for a meeting, the energy administrator shall have regard to the convenience of the persons who are to attend and the meeting shall be summoned for commencement between 10.00 and 16.00 hours on a business day, unless the court otherwise directs.

(3) Subject to Rule 28, the energy administrator shall give not less than 14 days’ notice of the venue for the meeting to every person known to the energy administrator as being entitled to attend the meeting.

(4) The energy administrator shall also publish notice of the venue for the meeting in the Edinburgh Gazette and in such other manner as the energy administrator thinks fit to ensure the meeting comes to the attention of any persons who are entitled to attend.

(5) Any notice published under paragraph (4) shall be published not less than 14 days before the meeting.

(6) Any notice under this Rule shall, in addition to the standard content, state—

(a) the venue fixed for the meeting;

(b) the purpose of the meeting;

(c) the persons who are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting;

(d) the effects of Rule 29 and of the relevant provisions of Rule 31; and

(e) in the case of a meeting of creditors—

(i) that proxies may be lodged at or before the meeting and the place where they may be lodged; and

(ii) that claims may be lodged by those who have not already done so at or before the meeting and the place where they may be lodged.

(7) With the notice given under paragraph (3), the energy administrator shall also send out a proxy form.

(8) In the case of any meeting, the court may order that notice of the meeting be given by public advertisement in such form as may be specified in the order and not by individual notice to the persons concerned. In considering whether to make such an order, the court shall have regard to the cost of the public advertisement, to the amount of the assets available and to the extent of the interest of creditors or any particular class of them.

Section 19 The chair at meetings

(1) At any meeting of creditors summoned by the energy administrator, either the energy administrator or a person nominated by the energy administrator in writing shall chair.

(2) A person so nominated must be either—

(a) one who is qualified to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the energy supply company; or

(b) an employee of the energy administrator or the energy administrator’s firm who is experienced in insolvency matters.

Section 20 Quorum at meeting of creditors

(1) Any meeting of creditors in energy supply company administration proceedings is competent to act if a quorum is present.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a quorum is at least one creditor entitled to vote.

(3) For the purposes of this Rule, the reference to the creditor necessary to constitute a quorum is not confined to those persons present or represented under section 323 of the Companies Act (representation of corporations at meetings) but includes those represented by proxy by any person (including the chair).

(4) Where at any meeting of creditors—

(a) the provisions of this Rule as to a quorum being present are satisfied by the attendance of—

(i) the chair alone, or

(ii) one other person in addition to the chair; and

(b) the chair is aware, by virtue of claims and proxies received or otherwise, that one or more additional persons would, if attending, be entitled to vote,

the meeting shall not commence until at least the expiry of 15 minutes after the time appointed for its commencement.

Section 21 Chair of meeting as proxy holder

Where the chair at a meeting of creditors holds a proxy which requires the chair to vote for a particular resolution and no other person proposes that resolution—

(a) the chair shall propose the resolution unless there is good reason for not doing so, and

(b) if the chair does not propose it, the chair shall forthwith after the meeting notify the person who granted the proxy of the reason why not.

Section 22 Suspension and Adjournment

(1) This Rule applies to meetings of creditors.

(2) If, within 30 minutes from the time appointed for the commencement of a meeting, those persons attending the meeting do not constitute a quorum, the chair may adjourn the meeting to such time and place as the chair may appoint.

(3) Once only in the course of the meeting, the chair may, without an adjournment, declare the meeting suspended for any period up to one hour.

(4) In the course of any meeting, the chair may, and shall, if the meeting so resolves, adjourn it to such date, time and place as seems to the chair to be appropriate in the circumstances.

(5) An adjournment under paragraph (4) must not be for a period of more than 14 days, subject to a direction from the court.

(6) If there are subsequent further adjournments, the final adjournment must not be to a day later than 14 days after the date on which the meeting was originally held.

(7) Where a meeting is adjourned under this Rule, proxies may be used if lodged at or before the adjourned meeting.

(8) Where a meeting is adjourned, any proxies given for the original meeting may be used at the adjourned meeting.

Section 23 Correspondence instead of creditors’ meetings

(1) This Rule applies where the energy administrator proposes to conduct the business of a creditors’ meeting by correspondence in accordance with paragraph 58 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act.

(2) Notice of the business to be conducted shall be given to all who are entitled to be notified of a creditors’ meeting by virtue of paragraph 51 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act.

(3) The energy administrator may seek to obtain the agreement of the creditors to a resolution by sending to every creditor a copy of the proposed resolution.

(4) The energy administrator shall send to the creditors a copy of any proposed resolution on which a decision is sought, which shall be set out in such a way that agreement with or dissent from each separate resolution may be indicated by the recipient on the copy so sent.

(5) The energy administrator shall set a closing date for receipt of votes and comments. The closing date shall be set at the discretion of the energy administrator, but shall not be less than 14 days from the date of issue of the notice under paragraph (1) of this Rule.

(6) In order to be considered, votes and comments must be received by the energy administrator by the closing date and must be accompanied by the statement of claim and account or voucher referred to in Rule 36, except where the statement of claim and account or voucher have already been submitted by the creditor.

(7) For the conduct of business to proceed, the energy administrator must receive at least one response which satisfies the requirement of paragraph (6) of this Rule.

(8) If no responses are received by the closing date, then the energy administrator shall summon a creditors’ meeting.

(9) Any single creditor, or a group of creditors, of the energy supply company whose debts amount to at least 10 per cent of the total debts of the energy supply company may, within 5 business days from the date of the energy administrator sending out a resolution or proposals, require him to summon a creditors’ meeting to consider the matters raised therein.

(10) If the energy administrator’s proposals or revised proposals are rejected by the creditors pursuant to this Rule, the administrator may summon a creditors’ meeting.

(11) A reference in these Rules to anything done at a creditors’ meeting includes a reference to anything done in the course of correspondence in accordance with this Rule; and Rule 17 shall apply to the business of a creditors’ meeting conducted by correspondence as it applies to a creditors’ meeting.

Section 24 Remote attendance at meetings

(1) This Rule applies to a request to the administrator under section 246A(9) of the 1986 Act (remote attendance at meetings) to specify a place for the meeting.

(2) The request must be accompanied by—

(a) in the case of a request by creditors, a list of the creditors making or concurring with the request and the amounts of their respective debts in the energy supply company administration proceedings in question;

(b) in the case of a request by members, a list of the members making or concurring with the request and their voting rights; and

(c) from each person concurring, written confirmation of that person’s concurrence.

(3) The request must be made within 7 business days of the date on which the energy administrator sent the notice of the meeting in question.

(4) Where the energy administrator considers that the request has been properly made in accordance with the 1986 Act and this Rule, the energy administrator must—

(a) give notice (to all those previously given notice of the meeting)—

(i) that it is to be held at a specified place; and

(ii) whether the date and time are to remain the same or not;

(b) specify a venue for the meeting, the date of which must not be more than 28 days after the original date for the meeting; and

(c) give at least 14 days’ notice of the venue of the meeting to all those previously given notice of the meeting,

and the notices required by sub-paragraphs (a) and (c) may be given at the same or different times.

(5) Where the administrator has specified a place for the meeting in response to a request to which this Rule applies, the chair of the meeting must attend the meeting by being present in person at that place.

Section 25 Action where person excluded

(1) In this Rule, and Rules 26 and 27, an “ excluded person ” means a person who—

(a) has taken all steps necessary to attend a meeting under the arrangements put in place to do so by the convener of the meeting under section 246A(6) of the 1986 Act (remote attendance at meetings); and

(b) those arrangements do not permit that person to attend the whole or part of that meeting.

(2) Where the chair becomes aware during the course of the meeting that there is an excluded person, the chair may—

(a) continue the meeting;

(b) declare the meeting void and convene the meeting again;

(c) declare the meeting valid up to the point where the person was excluded and adjourn the meeting.

(3) Where the chair continues the meeting, the meeting is valid unless—

(a) the chair decides in consequence of a complaint under Rule 27 to declare the meeting void and hold the meeting again; or

(b) the court directs otherwise.

(4) Without prejudice to paragraph (2), where the chair becomes aware during the course of the meeting that there is an excluded person, the chair may, in the chair’s discretion and without an adjournment, declare the meeting suspended for any period up to one hour.

Section 26 Indication to excluded person

(1) A person who claims to be an excluded person may request an indication of what occurred during the period of that person’s claimed exclusion.

(2) A request under paragraph (1) must be made as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, no later than 4 p.m. on the business day following the day on which the exclusion is claimed to have occurred.

(3) A request under paragraph (1) must be made to—

(a) the chair, where it is made during the course of the business of the meeting; or

(b) the energy administrator where it is made after the conclusion of the business of the meeting.

(4) Where satisfied that the person making the request is an excluded person, the person to whom the request is made under paragraph (3) must give the indication as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, no later than 4 p.m. on the business day following the day on which the request was made under paragraph (1).

Section 27 Complaint

(1) Any person who—

(a) is, or claims to be, an excluded person; or

(b) attends the meeting (in person or by proxy) and considers that they have been adversely affected by a person’s actual, apparent or claimed exclusion,

may make a complaint.

(2) The person to whom the complaint must be made (“ the relevant person ”) is—

(a) the chair, where it is made during the course of the meeting; or

(b) the energy administrator, where it is made after the meeting.

(3) The relevant person must—

(a) consider whether there is an excluded person; and

(b) where satisfied that there is an excluded person, consider the complaint; and

(c) where satisfied that there has been prejudice, take such action as the relevant person considers fit to remedy the prejudice.

(4) Paragraph (5) applies where—

(a) the relevant person is satisfied that the complainant is an excluded person;

(b) during the period of the person’s exclusion—

(i) a resolution was put to the meeting; and

(ii) voted on; and

(c) the excluded person asserts how the excluded person intended to vote on the resolution.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where satisfied that the effect of the intended vote in paragraph (4), if cast, would have changed the result of the resolution, the relevant person must—

(a) count the intended vote as being cast in accordance with the complainant’s stated intention;

(b) amend the record of the result of the resolution; and

(c) where those entitled to attend the meeting have been notified of the result of the resolution, notify them of the change.

(6) Where satisfied that more than one complainant in paragraph (4) is an excluded person, the relevant person must have regard to the combined effect of the intended votes.

(7) A complaint must be made as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, by 4 p.m. on the business day following—

(a) the day on which the person was excluded; or

(b) where an indication is requested under Rule 26, the day on which the complainant received the indication.

(8) The relevant person must notify the complainant in writing of any decision.

(9) A complainant who is not satisfied by the action of the relevant person may apply to the court for a direction to be given to the relevant person as to the action to be taken in respect of the complaint, and any application must be made no more than 2 business days from the date of receiving the decision of the relevant person.

Section 28 Meeting following nomination of alternative liquidator

(1) Where under Rules 15(1)(l) or 33(1)(h), the energy administrator has proposed that the energy supply company enter creditors’ voluntary liquidation once the energy supply company administration has ended, the energy administrator shall, in the circumstances detailed in paragraph (2), summon a meeting of creditors for the purpose of nominating a person other than the person named as proposed liquidator in the energy administrator’s proposals or revised proposals.

(2) The energy administrator shall summon a meeting of creditors where such a meeting is requested by creditors of the energy supply company whose debts amount to at least 10 per cent of the total debts of the energy supply company.

(3) A request for such a meeting shall be made within 21 days of the date on which the energy administrator’s statement of proposals is sent out, or where revised proposals have been sent out and a proposed revision relates to the ending of the energy supply company administration by a creditors’ voluntary liquidation, within 21 days from the date on which the revised statement of proposals is sent out.

(4) A request under this Rule shall include—

(a) a list of creditors concurring with the request, showing the amounts of their respective debts in the energy supply company administration; and

(b) from each creditor concurring, written confirmation of the creditor’s concurrence,

but sub-paragraph (a) does not apply if the requesting creditor’s debt is alone sufficient without the concurrence of other creditors.

(5) A meeting requested under this Rule shall be held within 21 days of the energy administrator’s receipt of the notice requesting the meeting.

Section 29 Entitlement to vote (creditors and members)

(1) Part 5 (claims in energy supply company administration) (except Rule 37(2) and (3)) applies for the purpose of determining a creditor’s entitlement to vote at any creditors’ meeting in an energy supply company administration.

(2) Members of an energy supply company at their meetings shall vote according to the rights attaching to their shares in accordance with the articles of association.

(3) The reference in paragraph (2) to a member’s share shall include any other interests which the member may have as a member of the energy supply company.

Section 30 Hire-purchase, conditional sale and hiring agreements

(1) Subject as follows, an owner of goods under a hire-purchase agreement or under an agreement for the hire of goods for more than 3 months, or a seller of goods under a conditional sale agreement, is entitled to vote in respect of the amount of the debt due and payable to the owner by the energy supply company on the date that the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration.

(2) In calculating the amount of any debt for this purpose, no account shall be taken of any amount attributable to the exercise of any right under the relevant agreement, so far as the right has become exercisable solely by virtue of the making of an energy supply company administration application or any matter arising as a consequence, or of the energy supply company entering energy supply company administration.

Section 31 Resolutions

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and (3), at a creditors’ or members’ meeting in energy supply company administration proceedings, a resolution is passed when a majority (in value) of those present and voting, in person or by proxy, have voted in favour of it.

(2) Every resolution passed must be recorded in writing and authenticated by the chair, either separately or as part of the minutes of the meeting, and the record must be kept as part of the sederunt book.

(3) Any resolution is invalid if those voting against it include more than half in value of the creditors to whom notice of the meeting was sent and who are not, to the best of the chair’s belief, persons connected with the energy supply company.

(4) In this Rule, “ connected with the energy supply company ” has the same meaning as the phrase “connected with a company” in section 249 of the 1986 Act (“connected” with a company).

Section 32 Report of Meeting

(1) The chair of any meeting shall cause a report to be made of the proceedings at the meeting which shall be signed by the chair.

(2) The report shall include—

(a) a list of all the creditors who attended the meeting, either in person or by proxy; and

(b) a copy of every resolution passed.

(3) The chair shall keep a copy of the report of the meeting as part of the sederunt book in the energy supply company administration.

Section 33 Revision of the energy administrator’s proposals

(1) A statement of revised proposals under paragraph 54 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act shall include—

(a) details of the court which granted the energy supply company administration order or in which the notice of appointment was lodged and the relevant court reference number (if any);

(b) the full name, registered address, registered number and any other trading names of the energy supply company;

(c) details relating to the appointment of the energy administrator, including the date of appointment and whether the energy supply company administration application was made by the Secretary of State or by GEMA;

(d) the names of the directors and secretary of the energy supply company and details of any shareholdings which they have in the energy supply company;

(e) a summary of the initial proposals and the reason for proposing a revision;

(f) details of the proposed revision including details of the energy administrator’s assessment of the likely impact of the proposed revision upon creditors generally or upon each class of creditors (as the case may be);

(g) where it is proposed, by virtue of the revision, to make distributions to creditors in accordance with Part 6, the classes of creditors to whom it is proposed that distributions be made and whether or not the energy administrator intends to make an application to the court under paragraph 65(3) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act;

(h) where the revision includes a proposal to move from energy supply company administration to a creditors’ voluntary liquidation—

(i) details of the proposed liquidator; and

(ii) a statement that, in accordance with paragraph 83(7) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act and Rule 57, creditors may nominate another person to act as liquidator, provided that the nomination is made at a meeting of creditors called for that purpose;

(iii) any other information that the energy administrator thinks necessary to enable creditors to decide whether or not to vote for the proposed revisions; and

(iv) where applicable, the declaration required by section 231(appointment to office of two or more persons) of the 1986 Act.

(2) The energy administrator shall send a copy of the statement in paragraph (1) above together with a notice in Form ESCA12(S) to the registrar of companies at the same time as it is sent to the creditors of the energy supply company and, subject to paragraph 54(4) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, within 5 business days of sending out the statement in paragraph (1) above, shall send a copy of the statement to every member of the energy supply company.

(3) Where the energy administrator wishes to publish a notice under paragraph 54(3) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, the notice shall be advertised in such manner as the energy administrator thinks fit.

(4) The notice referred to in paragraph (3) shall—

(a) state the full name of the energy supply company;

(b) state the name and address of the energy administrator;

(c) specify an address to which any member of the company can write to request that a copy of the statement be provide free of charge; and

(d) be published as soon as is reasonably practicable after the administrator sends the statement to creditors.

Section 34 Progress Reports

(1) The energy administrator shall—

(a) within six weeks after the end of each accounting period; and

(b) within six weeks after the energy administrator ceases to act as energy administrator,

send to the court, the registrar of companies, each creditor, the Secretary of State and GEMA, a progress report attached to Form ESCA13(S).

(2) For the purposes of this Rule, “ progress report ” means a report which includes—

(a) the name of the court which granted the energy supply company administration order or in which the notice of appointment was lodged, and the court reference number (if any);

(b) details of the energy supply company’s name, address and registration number;

(c) details of the energy administrator’s name and address, date of appointment and name and address of the applicant for the energy supply company administration order, including any changes in office-holder, and, in the case of joint energy administrators, their functions as set out in the statement made for the purposes of section 158(5) of the 2004 Act (energy administrators);

(d) details of progress to date, including a receipts and payments account which states what assets of the energy supply company have been realised, for what value, and what payments have been made to creditors, in the form of an abstract showing—

(i) receipts and payments during the relevant accounting period;

(ii) where the energy administrator has ceased to act, receipts and payments during the period from the end of the last accounting period to the time when the energy administrator so ceased (or, where the energy administrator has made no previous progress report, receipts and payments in the period since appointment);

(e) details of any assets that remain to be realised;

(f) where a distribution is to be made in accordance with Part 6 in respect of an accounting period, the scheme of division; and

(g) any other relevant information for the creditors.

(3) In a receipts and payments account falling within paragraph (2)(d)(ii), the energy supply company administrator shall include a statement as to the amount paid to unsecured creditors by virtue of the application of section 176A of the 1986 Act (share of assets for unsecured creditors) .

(4) The court may, on the application of the energy administrator, extend the period of six weeks referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule.

(5) If the energy administrator makes default in complying with this Rule without reasonable excuse, the energy administrator shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) An energy administrator convicted of an offence under paragraph (5) shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one-fifth of the statutory maximum; or

(b) in relation to a second or subsequent conviction of the offence, to a daily default fine of one-fiftieth of the statutory maximum in respect of each day on which the contravention is continued.

(7) This Rule is without prejudice to the requirements of Part 6 (distribution to creditors).

Section 35 Disposal of secured property

(1) The following applies where the energy administrator applies to the court under paragraphs 71 or 72 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act for authority to dispose of property of the energy supply company which is subject to a security (other than a floating charge), or goods in the possession of the energy supply company under a hire purchase agreement.

(2) If an order is made under paragraphs 71 or 72 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act, the energy administrator shall as soon as reasonably practicable send a copy of it certified by the clerk of court to the person who is the holder of the security or owner under the agreement.

(3) The energy administrator shall place a copy of the order in the sederunt book.

(4) The notice required by paragraph 72(4) of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act shall be in Form ESCA14(S).

Section 36 Submission of claims

(1) A creditor, in order to obtain an adjudication as to the creditor’s entitlement to vote at any meeting of the creditors in the energy supply company administration or to a dividend (so far as funds are available) out of the assets of the energy supply company in respect of any accounting period, shall submit the creditor’s claim to the energy administrator—

(a) at or before the meeting; or

(b) not later than 8 weeks before the end of the accounting period.

(2) A creditor shall submit the creditor’s claim by producing to the energy administrator—

(a) a statement of claim in the Form ESCA15(S); and

(b) an account or voucher (according to the nature of the debt claimed) which constitutes prima facie evidence of the debt,

but the energy administrator may dispense with any requirement of this paragraph in respect of any debt or any class of debt.

(3) A claim submitted by a creditor, which has been accepted in whole or in part by the energy administrator for the purpose of voting at a meeting or of drawing a dividend in respect of any accounting period, shall be deemed to have been resubmitted for the purpose of obtaining an adjudication as to the creditor’s entitlement both to vote at any subsequent meeting and (so far as funds are available) to a dividend in respect of an accounting period or, as the case may be, any subsequent accounting period.

(4) A creditor, who has submitted a claim, may at any time submit a further claim specifying a different amount for the creditor’s claim;

Provided that a secured creditor shall not be entitled to produce a further claim specifying a different value for the security at any time after the energy administrator has required the creditor to discharge, or convey or assign, the security under Rule 37(2).

Section 37 Secured debts

(1) A secured creditor shall deduct the estimated value of any security in calculating the amount of the secured creditor’s claim;

Provided that if a secured creditor surrenders, or undertakes in writing to surrender, a security for the benefit of the energy supply company’s assets, that secured creditor shall not be required to make a deduction of the value of that security.

(2) The energy administrator may, at any time after the expiry of 12 weeks from the date on which the energy supply company enters energy supply administration, require a secured creditor to discharge the security or convey or assign it to the energy administrator on payment to the creditor of the value specified by the creditor (the expense of such discharge, conveyance or assignation being met from the assets of the energy supply company); and the amount in respect of which the creditor shall then be entitled to claim shall be any balance of the creditor’s debt remaining after receipt of such payment.

(3) In calculating the amount of the creditor’s claim, a creditor whose security has been realised shall deduct the amount (less the expenses of realisation) which that creditor has received, or is entitled to receive, from the realisation.

Section 38 Entitlement to vote and draw dividend

(1) A creditor who has had a claim accepted in whole or in part by the energy administrator or on appeal under Rule 39(5) shall be entitled—

(a) in a case where the acceptance is under (or on appeal arising from) Rule 39(1), to vote on any matter at the meeting of creditors for the purpose of voting at which the claim is accepted; and

(b) in a case where the acceptance is under (or on appeal arising from) Rule 39(2), to payment out of the assets of the energy supply company of a dividend in respect of the distribution for the purposes of which the claim is accepted; but such entitlement to payment shall arise only in so far as the energy supply company has funds available to make that payment, having regard to Rule 46, and payment would be consistent with the power and duties of the energy administrator.

(2) Votes are calculated according to the amount of a creditor’s debt as at the date on which the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration, deducting any amount paid in respect of that debt after that date.

(3) No vote shall be cast by virtue of a debt more than once on any resolution put to the meeting.

(4) Any reference in this Part to the energy administrator includes, where applicable, a reference to the chair of the meeting.

Section 39 Adjudication of claims

(1) At the commencement of every meeting of creditors, the energy administrator shall, for the purposes of Rule 38 so far as it relates to voting at that meeting, accept or reject the claim of each creditor.

(2) Where funds are available for payment of a dividend out of the assets of the energy supply company in respect of an accounting period, the energy administrator for the purpose of determining who is entitled to such a dividend shall, not later than 4 weeks before the end of the period, accept or reject every claim submitted or deemed to have been re-submitted to the energy administrator under these Rules; and shall at the same time make a decision on any matter requiring to be specified under sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (4).

(3) Where the energy administrator rejects a claim, the energy administrator shall forthwith notify the creditor giving reasons for the rejection.

(4) Where the energy administrator accepts or rejects a claim, the energy administrator shall record the decision on the claim in the sederunt book specifying—

(a) the amount of the claim accepted by the energy administrator;

(b) the category of debt, and the value of any security, as decided by the energy administrator, and

(c) if the energy administrator is rejecting the claim, the energy administrator’s reasons for doing so.

(5) Any member or creditor may, if dissatisfied with the acceptance or rejection of any claim (or, in relation to such acceptance or rejection, with a decision in respect of any matter requiring to be specified under paragraph (4)(a) or (b) above), appeal to the court–

(a) if the acceptance or rejection is under paragraph (1) above, within 2 weeks of that acceptance or rejection;

(b) if the acceptance or rejection is under paragraph (2) above, not later than 2 weeks before the end of the accounting period,

and the energy administrator shall record the court’s decision in the sederunt book.

(6) Any reference in this Rule to the acceptance or rejection of a claim shall be construed as a reference to the acceptance or rejection of the claim in whole or in part.

Section 40 Evidence in relation to claims

(1) The energy administrator, for the purpose of being satisfied as to the validity or amount of a claim submitted by a creditor may require—

(a) the creditor to produce further evidence; or

(b) any other person who the energy administrator believes can produce relevant evidence, to produce such evidence,

and, if the creditor or other person refuses or delays to do so, the energy administrator may apply to the court for an order requiring the creditor or other person to attend for private examination before the court.

(2) On an application being made in accordance with paragraph (1), the court may make an order requiring the creditor or other person to attend for private examination before it on a date (being not earlier than 8 days nor later than 16 days after the date of the order) and at a time specified in the order.

(3) A person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with an order made under paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

(4) The examination shall be taken on oath.

(5) At any private examination, a solicitor or counsel may act on behalf of the energy administrator or the energy administrator may appear personally.

Section 41 Criminal offences in relation to false claims or evidence

(1) If a creditor produces under Rule 36 a statement of claim, account, voucher or other evidence which is false, the creditor shall be guilty of an offence unless the creditor shows that the creditor neither knew nor had reason to believe that the statement of claim, account, voucher or other evidence was false.

(2) A person convicted of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or—

(i) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months; or

(ii) if the person has previously been convicted of an offence inferring dishonest appropriation of property or an attempt at such appropriation, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or (in the case of either sub-paragraph) to both such fine and such imprisonment; or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.

Section 42 Amount which may be claimed generally

(1) Subject to Rules 30, 37 and 43, the amount in respect of which a creditor shall be entitled to claim shall be the accumulated sum of principal and any interest which is due on the debt as at the date upon which the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration.

(2) If a debt does not depend on a contingency but would not be payable but for the energy supply company administration until after the date upon which the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration, the amount of the claim shall be calculated as if the debt were payable on the date when the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration but subject to the deduction of interest at the rate specified in section 17 of the Judgments Act 1838 (judgment debts to carry interest) on the date when the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration from the said date until the date for payment of the debt.

(3) In calculating the amount of the creditor’s claim, a creditor shall deduct any discount (other than any discount for payment in cash) which is allowable by contract or course of dealing between the creditor and the energy supply company or by the usage of trade.

Section 43 Debts depending on contingency

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amount which a creditor shall be entitled to claim shall not include a debt in so far as its existence or amount depends upon a contingency.

(2) On an application by the creditor to the energy administrator, the energy administrator shall put a value on the debt in so far as it is contingent, and the amount in respect of which the creditor shall then be entitled to claim shall be that value but no more; and, where the contingent debt is an annuity, a cautioner may not then be sued for more than that value.

Section 44 Liabilities and rights of co-obligants

(1) Where a creditor has an obligant (in this Rule referred to as the “ co-obligant ”) bound to the creditor along with the energy supply company for the whole or part of the debt, the co-obligant shall not be freed or discharged from liability for the debt by reason of the dissolution of the energy supply company or by virtue of the creditor’s voting or drawing a dividend or assenting to, or not opposing—

(a) a scheme of arrangement; or

(b) a company voluntary arrangement.

(2) Where—

(a) a creditor has had a claim accepted in whole or in part; and

(b) a co-obligant holds a security over any part of the assets of the energy supply company,

the co-obligant shall account to the energy administrator so as to put the energy supply company in the same position as if the co-obligant had paid the debt to the creditor and thereafter had had the co-obligant’s claim accepted in whole or in part in the energy supply company administration after deduction of the value of the security.

(3) Without prejudice to any right under any rule of law of a co-obligant who has paid the debt, the co-obligant may require and obtain at the co-obligant’s own expense from the creditor an assignation of the debt on payment of the amount thereof, and thereafter may in respect of that debt submit a claim, and vote and draw a dividend, if otherwise legally entitled to do so.

(4) In this Rule a “ co-obligant ” includes a cautioner.

Section 45 Claims in foreign currency

(1) A creditor may state the amount of the creditor’s claim in currency other than sterling where—

(a) the creditor’s claim is constituted by decree or other order made by a court ordering the energy supply company to pay the creditor a sum expressed in a currency other than sterling, or

(b) where it is not so constituted, the creditor’s claim arises from a contract or bill of exchange in terms of which payment is or may be required to be made by the energy supply company to the creditor in a currency other than sterling.

(2) Where a claim is stated in currency other than sterling for the purposes of the preceding paragraph, it shall be converted into sterling at the official exchange rate prevailing on the date when the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration.

Section 46 Order of priority in distribution

(1) If the funds of the energy supply company’s assets are to be distributed then they shall be distributed by the energy administrator to meet the following expenses and debts in the order in which they are mentioned—

(a) the expenses of the energy supply company administration;

(b) any preferential debts within the meaning of section 386 of the 1986 Act (categories of preferential debts) (excluding any interest which has been accrued thereon to the date on which the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration);

(c) ordinary debt, that is to say a debt which is neither a secured debt nor a debt mentioned in any other sub-paragraph of this paragraph;

(d) interest at the official rate on—

(i) the preferential debts, and

(ii) the ordinary debts,

between the said date on which the energy supply company entered energy supply company administration and the date of payment of the debt; and

(e) any postponed debt.

(2) In the above paragraph—

(a) “ postponed debt ” means a creditor’s right to any alienation which has been reduced or restored to the energy supply company’s assets under section 242 of the 1986 Act (gratuitous alienations) or to the proceeds of sale of such an alienation; and

(b) “ official rate ” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (4) of section 189 of the 1986 Act (interest on debts) and, for the purposes of paragraph (a) of that subsection, as applied to Scotland by subsection (5), the rate specified in these Rules shall be 15 per centum per annum.

(3) The expenses of the energy supply company administration mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1) above are payable in the order of priority mentioned in Rule 47.

(4) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (5), any debt falling within any of sub-paragraphs (b) to (e) of paragraph (1) shall have the same priority as any other debt falling within the same sub paragraph and, where the funds of the energy supply company’s assets are inadequate to enable the debts mentioned in this paragraph to be paid in full, they shall abate in equal proportions.

(5) So far as the assets of the energy supply company available for payment of general creditors are insufficient to meet them, preferential debts have priority over the claims of holders of debentures secured by, or holders of, any floating charge created by, the energy supply company, and shall be paid accordingly out of any property comprised in or subject to that charge.

(6) Any surplus remaining, after all expenses and debts mentioned in paragraph (1) have been paid in full, shall (unless the articles of the energy supply company otherwise provide) be distributed among the members according to their rights and interests in the company.

(7) Nothing in this Rule shall affect—

(a) the right of a secured creditor which is preferable to the rights of the energy administrator; or

(b) any preference of the holder of a lien over a title deed or other document which has been delivered to the energy administrator.

Section 47 Expenses of the energy supply company administration

(1) The expenses of the energy supply company administration are payable out of the assets in the following order of priority—

(a) any outlays properly chargeable or incurred by the energy administrator in carrying out the energy administrator’s functions in the energy supply company administration, except those outlays specifically mentioned in the following sub-paragraphs;

(b) the cost, or proportionate cost, of any caution provided by the energy administrator in accordance with the 1986 Act or these Rules;

(c) the expenses of the applicant and any person appearing on the hearing of the application for the energy supply company administration order whose expenses are allowed by the court;

(d) any amount payable to a person employed or authorised, under Part 3 of these Rules, to assist in the preparation of a statement of affairs or statement of concurrence;

(e) any allowance made, by order of the court, towards expenses on an application for release from the obligation to submit a statement of affairs or statement of concurrence;

(f) the remuneration or emoluments of any person who has been employed by the energy administrator to perform any services for the energy supply company, as required or authorised under the 1986 Act, the 2004 Act or these Rules;

(g) the remuneration of the energy administrator determined under Rule 50; and

(h) the amount of any corporation tax on chargeable gains accruing on the realisation of any asset of the energy supply company (without regard to whether the realisation is effected by the energy administrator, a secured creditor, or otherwise).

(2) Nothing in this Rule applies to or affects the power of any court in proceedings by or against the energy supply company, to order expenses to be paid by the energy supply company or the energy administrator, nor does it affect the rights of any person to whom such expenses are ordered to be paid.

(3) The priorities laid down by paragraph (1) of this Rule are subject to the power of the court to make orders under paragraph (4) of this Rule where the assets are insufficient to satisfy the liabilities.

(4) The court may, in the event of the assets being insufficient to satisfy the liabilities, make an order as to the payment out of the assets of the expenses incurred in the energy supply company administration in such order of priority as the court thinks just.

Section 48 Pre-energy supply company administration costs

Where the energy administrator has made a statement of pre-energy supply company administration costs under Rule 15, the energy administrator (where the fees were charged or expenses incurred by the energy administrator) or other insolvency practitioner (where the fees were charged or expenses incurred by that practitioner) may apply to the court for a determination of whether and to what extent the unpaid pre-energy supply company administration costs are approved for payment.

Section 49 Assets to be distributed

(1) The energy administrator shall make up accounts of the energy administrator’s intromissions with the energy supply company’s assets in respect of each accounting period.

(2) Subject to the following paragraphs, the energy administrator may, if the funds of the energy supply company are sufficient and after making allowance for future contingencies, pay under Rule 51(1) a dividend out of the assets of the energy supply company to the creditors in respect of each accounting period.

(3) The energy administrator may make a distribution to secured or preferential creditors or, where the energy administrator has the permission of the court, to unsecured creditors only if—

(a) the energy administrator has sufficient funds for the purpose;

(b) the energy administrator does not intend to give notice pursuant to paragraph 83 of Schedule B1 to the 1986 Act;

(c) the energy administrator’s statement of proposals contains a proposal to make a distribution to the class of creditors in question; and

(d) the payment of a dividend is consistent with the functions and duties of, and any proposals made by (or intended to be made by), the energy administrator.

(4) The energy administrator may at any time pay—

(a) the expenses of the energy supply company administration mentioned in Rule 47(1)(a), other than the energy administrator’s own remuneration; and

(b) the preferential debts.

(5) If the energy administrator—

(a) is not ready to pay a dividend in respect of an accounting period; or

(b) considers it would be inappropriate to pay such a dividend because the expense of doing so would be disproportionate to the amount of the dividend,

the energy administrator may postpone such payment to a date not later than the time for payment of a dividend in respect of the next accounting period.

(6) Where an appeal is taken under Rule 39(5) against the acceptance or rejection of a creditor’s claim, the energy administrator shall, at the time of payment of dividends and until the appeal is determined, set aside an amount which would be sufficient, if the determination in the appeal were to provide for the claim being accepted in full, to pay a dividend in respect of that claim.

(7) Where a creditor—

(a) has failed to produce evidence in support of the creditor’s claim earlier than eight weeks before the end of an accounting period on being required by the energy administrator to do so under Rule 40(1); and

(b) has given a reason for such failure which is acceptable to the energy administrator,

the energy administrator shall set aside, for such time as is reasonable to enable the creditor to produce that evidence or any other evidence that will enable the energy administrator to be satisfied under that Rule, an amount which would be sufficient, if the claim were accepted in full, to pay a dividend in respect of that claim.

(8) Where a creditor submits a claim to the energy administrator later than eight weeks before the end of an accounting period but more than eight weeks before the end of a subsequent accounting period in respect of which, after making allowance for contingencies, funds are available for the payment of a dividend, the energy administrator shall, if the energy administrator accepts the claim in whole or in part, pay to the creditor—

(a) the same dividend or dividends as has or have already been paid to creditors of the same class in respect of any accounting period or periods; and

(b) whatever dividend may be payable to the creditor in respect of the said subsequent accounting period,

provided that sub-paragraph (a) above shall be without prejudice to any dividend which has already been paid.

(9) In the declaration of and payment of a dividend, no payments shall be made more than once by virtue of the same debt.

(10) If a person entitled to a dividend gives notice to the energy administrator that the person wishes the dividend to be paid to another person, or has assigned entitlement to another person, the energy administrator shall pay the dividend to that other accordingly, provided that such notice specifies the name and address of that other.

Section 50 Determination of outlays and remuneration

(1) Within two weeks after the end of an accounting period, the energy administrator shall in respect of that period submit to the court—

(a) the energy administrator’s accounts of the energy administrator’s intromissions with the assets of the energy supply company for audit and, where funds are available after making allowance for contingencies, a scheme of division of the divisible funds; and

(b) a claim for the outlays reasonably incurred by the energy administrator and for the energy administrator’s remuneration.

(2) The energy administrator may, at any time before the end of an accounting period, submit to the court an interim claim in respect of that period for the outlays reasonably incurred by the energy administrator and for the energy administrator’s remuneration and the court may make an interim determination in relation to the amount of the outlays and remuneration payable to the energy administrator and, where it does so, it shall take into account that interim determination when making its determination under paragraph (3)(a)(ii).

(3) Within six weeks after the end of an accounting period—

(a) the court—

(i) may audit the accounts; and

(ii) shall issue a determination fixing the amount of the outlays and the remuneration payable to the energy administrator; and

(b) the energy administrator shall make the audited accounts, scheme of division and the said determination available for inspection by the members and the creditors.

(4) The basis for fixing the amount of the remuneration payable to the energy administrator may be a commission calculated by reference to the value of the company’s assets which have been realised by the energy administrator, but there shall in any event be taken into account—

(a) the work which, having regard to that value, was reasonably undertaken by the energy administrator; and

(b) the extent of the energy administrator’s responsibilities in administering the energy supply company’s assets.

(5) In fixing the amount of such remuneration in respect of any accounting period, the court may take into account any adjustment which it may wish to make in the amount of the remuneration and outlays fixed in respect of any earlier accounting period.

(6) Not later than eight weeks after the end of an accounting period, the energy administrator or any creditor may appeal against a determination issued under paragraph (2) or (3)(a)(ii) above and the decision of the court on such appeal shall be final.

(7) The court may, if it appears to be a proper case, order the expenses in relation to any such appeal of the energy administrator or any creditor appearing or being represented to be paid as an expense of the administration.

(8) Where there are joint energy administrators—

(a) it is for them to agree between themselves as to how the remuneration payable should be apportioned;

(b) if they cannot agree as to how the remuneration payable should be apportioned, any one of them may refer the issue for determination by the court.