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Replacing a Trustee of a Bankrupt Estate

By Aritree Barua, Solicitor at Matthews Folbigg Lawyers

If you are concerned about the appointment of a trustee of a bankrupt estate, or you have a disagreement with a trustee, or a trustee has decided to retire, you may be able to replace that trustee. This article explores various ways in which you can replace a trustee of a bankrupt estate.

Replacing a trustee by resolution at a creditors’ meeting

If you are a creditor, you can remove and replace a trustee of a bankrupt estate by way of a resolution at a creditors’ meeting (Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) (“the Bankruptcy Act”), Schedule 2 (“the Insolvency Practice Schedule”), section 90-35(1)). Notice of the meeting must be provided to all persons who are entitled to receive notice at least 5 business days before the meeting (Insolvency Practice Schedule, section 90-35(2)). [...]  READ MORE →

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The judge, jury and executioner: a Trustee’s capacity to adjudicate proofs of debt for legal fees

By Jodie Rodrigues, Solicitor at Matthews Folbigg in the Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery Group.

Pursuant to s 102 of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), a trustee is required to “examine each proof of debt and the grounds of the debt sought to be proved”.

Legal costs can often be a problematic consideration, when questions of assessment, and the nature of the costs claim are taken into account. It is therefore important to have regard to the type of costs claims (for instance those of the bankrupt’s own solicitors, or adverse costs orders against the bankrupt). It is also relevant to consider at what stage in any costs assessment process the question of costs is being considered. [...]  READ MORE →

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How does a trustee in bankruptcy sell jointly owned property?

Trustees in bankruptcy can takes steps to be appointed trustees for sale of property jointly owned by the bankrupt estates to which they have been appointed. Just how they do it, will depend upon the law in each state or territory.

In the matter of Juratowitch (as Trustee of the Bankrupt Estates of Parolin and Parolin) v Parolin & Ors [2016] FCCA 3439 (“Juratowitch”), the issue regarding the granting of the ‘power of sale’ to a Trustee of a Bankrupt Estate where the property did not entirely vest in the Trustee was considered by the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The trustee was trustee of 2 bankrupt estates, each of which was a 1/3rd owner of a property in Victoria. [...]  READ MORE →

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AFSA Offence Referral Update

Recent updates to the Alleged Offence Referral to AFSA template now provide for the inclusion of details of any person (individual or corporate) acting on behalf of, or assisting, a bankrupt or debtor. This can include a spouse, child, friend, accountant or lawyer assisting a bankrupt in an informal capacity, as is often the case.

As trustees are aware, they have a duty under section 19(1)(i) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 to refer to AFSA any evidence of an offence committed by a bankrupt. However, there are often circumstances where it is unclear whether there is sufficient evidence to support an offence referral. AFSA has available a Pre Referral Enquiry (“PRE”) program that is a convenient and efficient way to deal with such matters. PREs can be as simple as emailing AFSA with a summary of the circumstances and suspected offence/s and are particularly useful: [...]  READ MORE →