Regulator profile
Insolvency Service
The Insolvency Service
Enforcement Regulator3 areas of regulation · 15 official guidance documents · 15 laws enforced · UK-wide
What Insolvency Service does
Administers compulsory company liquidations and personal bankruptcies. Investigates director misconduct and can seek disqualification orders. Manages redundancy payments from the National Insurance Fund. Authorises insolvency practitioners.
Additional information
Executive agency of DBT. Key for any business facing insolvency or dealing with insolvent counterparts.
Contact Insolvency Service
Types of regulation
Official guidance from Insolvency Service
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
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Director information hub - Cashflow
Detailed Guidance
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15. Insolvency rules, regulations and orders
Detailed Guidance
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Annex 2 - IVA Protocol 2021: Regulatory framework
Detailed Guidance
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Annex 2 - IVA Protocol 2025: Regulatory framework
Detailed Guidance
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Claim money back from a bankrupt person or company in compulsory liquidation: detailed guidance for creditors
Detailed Guidance
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Company health check: keeping your business on track
Detailed Guidance
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Debt Relief Orders: Guidance for debt advisers
Detailed Guidance
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Director information hub: Director duties upon insolvency
Detailed Guidance
Legal framework
Legislation that Insolvency Service directly enforces.
Primary legislation
- Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 Act 1986
- Insolvency Act 1986 Act 1986
- IA 2000 Act 2000
- Enterprise Act 2002 Act 2002
- Companies Act 2006 Act 2006
- SBEEA 2015 Act 2015
- Insolvency (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Act 2016
- Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 Act 2020
- FSA 2021 Act 2021
- RCDDDCA 2021 Act 2021
Secondary legislation
- Insolvency Act 1986 (Prescribed Part) Order 2003 UK Statutory Instrument 2003
- Insolvency Practitioners Regulations 2005 UK Statutory Instrument 2005
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 UK Statutory Instrument 2016
- Administration (Restrictions on Disposal to Connected Persons) Regulations 2021 UK Statutory Instrument 2021
- Insolvency (England and Wales) (No. 2) (Amendment) Rules 2021 UK Statutory Instrument 2021
Related legislation
Legislation connected to Insolvency Service's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Administered / monitored
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The Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) Order 1986
UK Statutory Instrument 1986 -
The Insolvency Rules 1986
UK Statutory Instrument 1986 -
Employment Rights Act 1996
UK Act of Parliament 1996 -
Insolvency Practitioners and Insolvency Services Account (Fees) Order 2003
UK Statutory Instrument 2003 -
Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006
UK Statutory Instrument 2006 -
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
UK Act of Parliament 2007 -
Debt Relief Orders (Designation of Competent Authorities) Regulations 2009
UK Statutory Instrument 2009 -
Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016
UK Statutory Instrument 2016
Referenced in enforcement
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Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
UK Statutory Instrument 1989 -
Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002
UK Statutory Instrument 2002 -
CAICEA 2004
UK Act of Parliament 2004
Coverage area
UK-wide