An Official Receiver is appointed by the Secretary of State and is an officer of the court. The Official Receiver has responsibility for administering your bankruptcy and protecting your assets from the date of the bankruptcy order. He or she will also act as trustee of your bankruptcy estate unless an insolvency practitioner is appointed.
The Official Receiver is also responsible for looking into your financial affairs for the period before and during your bankruptcy. He or she may report to the court and has to report to your creditors. The Official Receiver must also report any matters which indicate that you may have committed criminal offences in connection with your bankruptcy or that your behaviour has been dishonest or you have been in some way to blame for your bankruptcy.
The Official Receiver will give notice of the bankruptcy order to local authorities, utility suppliers, courts, sheriffs, bailiffs, National Savings and Investments (premium bonds), the Land Registry and any relevant professional bodies. Enquiries will also be made of banks; building societies; mortgage, pension and insurance companies; solicitors, landlords and any other persons or organisations who may be able to provide details of any assets or liabilities that you have, or have had, an interest in (either on your own or jointly with others). Third parties will also be asked about any other matters relating to your bankruptcy. If you are unhappy with the way your case is handled by the Official Receiver you should follow the procedure set out in our leaflet 'Complaints Procedure: Information on making a complaint'.
An insolvency practitioner
Insolvency practitioners are individuals who specialise in insolvency work. An insolvency practitioner, who must be authorised by either the Department of Trade and Industry or the appropriate professional body, can be appointed trustee instead of the Official Receiver. He or she is then responsible for disposing of your assets and making payments to your creditors.
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