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Becoming established as an Insolvency Practitioner

I wish to practice as an insolvency practitioner under the provisions of EU Directive 2005/36

I wish to become established as an insolvency practitioner in GB

Who may authorise insolvency practitioners in the UK

There are 10 competent authorities which authorise insolvency practitioners in the UK. If you are an accountant or a lawyer you may first consider applying to the appropriate professional body:

  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales*
  • The Institute of Charted Accountants of Scotland*
  • Chartered Accountants Ireland*
  • The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants*
  • The Law Society
  • The Law Society of Scotland**
  • The Law Society of Ireland** 
  • The Insolvency Practitioners Association may also authorise insolvency practitioners*

* Under certain circumstances these bodies will authorise non members.

** Currently  both bodies limit the jurisdiction in which their members may operate 

The Insolvency Service, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State (SoS)  has jurisdiction to authorise insolvency practitioners who wish to provide services in GB. Applicants who wish to act as  an office holder primarily in Northern Ireland should make application to  The Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment. (DETINI) – http://www.insolvencyservice.detini.gov.uk.

Insolvency practitioners who are authorised by the SoS will be authorised to act in Northern Ireland from 28th December 2009 under the provisions of regulation 2(3) of the Provision of Services (Insolvency Practitioners) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (SI 2009 No. 401) http://www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr2009/nisr_20090401_en_1 and reciprocal arrangements will apply to those insolvency practitioners authorised by DETINI to enable them to act in GB.

Application form for authorisation by the Secretary of State (DOC, 226 Kb) 

Applications to the Secretary of State should be addressed to:

Insolvency Practitioner Unit
4th Floor
Cannon House
18 Priory Queensway
Birmingham B4 6BS

Email: EU.IPU@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk