Foundations
(Winding up) (Jersey) Regulations 2009
Part 1
Interpretation
1 Interpretation
(1) In
these Regulations –
“creditors’
meeting”, in respect of a foundation, means a meeting of the creditors of
the foundation held in the course of a creditors’ winding up of the
foundation;
“creditors’
winding up”, in respect of a foundation, means a winding up of the
foundation under Chapter 3 of Part 2;
“Law” means the
Foundations (Jersey) Law 2009.
(2) If a penalty is
specified after a paragraph of these Regulations, it indicates that a
contravention of the provision of the paragraph is an offence that is
punishable by a penalty not exceeding the penalty so specified.
Part 2
Winding up of foundations on happening of an event,
the end of a period of time or on the application of a specified person
Chapter 1 – Application
2 Application of Part
This Part applies where,
under Article 9 of the Law,
the charter of a foundation specifies that the foundation is to be wound up and
dissolved –
(a) upon
the happening of some event;
(b) on
the expiration of a fixed period of time; or
(c) on
the application of any person,
and the event happens, the
period expires or the application is made.
3 Registrar
to be notified
(1) The
qualified member of the council of the foundation must, within 28 days,
deliver to the registrar a notice that states, as the case may be,
that –
(a) the
event has happened;
(b) the
period has expired; or
(c) the
application has been made,
and the date when the event
happened, the period expired or the application was made.
(2) The
notice may be accompanied by a certificate signed by the qualified member
certifying that the member, having made a full enquiry into the affairs of the
foundation, is of the opinion that the foundation is solvent.
(3) If
the qualified member is also satisfied that the foundation has no assets and no
liabilities, the qualified member may include a statement to that effect in the
certificate.
(4) The
registrar must, on receipt of the notice and any certificate, enter in the
register in respect of the foundation –
(a) a
note stating that the foundation is in the course of being wound up; or
(b) under
Regulation 7(2), a note stating that the foundation has been dissolved.
(5) The
note must also state –
(a) the
date when the event happened, the period expired or the application was made;
and
(b) in
the case of a note mentioned in paragraph (4)(a), if the qualified member
of the council of the foundation has provided the registrar with a certificate
of solvency under paragraph (2).
(6) Paragraph (7)
is to be applied to determine if, when the qualified member signs a certificate
for the purpose of paragraph (2) (“the relevant time”), the
foundation is solvent.
(7) The
foundation is solvent at the relevant time if –
(a) it has
no liabilities;
(b) it has
liabilities that have already fallen due or that will fall due within
6 months after the relevant time that it will be able to discharge in full
within 6 months;
(c) it has
liabilities that will arise more than 6 months after the relevant time
that it will be able to discharge in full as they fall due; or
(d) it has
a combination of the liabilities mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) and (c).
(8) A
qualified member of the council of a foundation must not sign and deliver to
the registrar –
(a) a
notice under paragraph (1); or
(b) a
certificate under paragraph (2),
without having reasonable
grounds for believing it to be correct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years and a fine.
Chapter
2 – Winding up a solvent foundation
4 Application
of Chapter
This Chapter applies where
a note has been entered in the register in respect of a foundation under
Regulation 3(4).
5 Effect
on status of foundation
(1) The
foundation’s corporate state and capacity continue until it is dissolved.
(2) However,
the foundation must include in its written communications, including
those transmitted by electronic means, a statement that the foundation is being
wound up under this Chapter.
Penalty: A fine.
6 Appointment
of liquidator
(1) The
council of the foundation may appoint a person to be the liquidator of the
foundation.
(2) The
Minister may, in respect of all foundations or any class of foundations,
publish details of the qualifications a person must possess to be appointed to
be the liquidator of a foundation or a foundation of that class that is being
wound up under this Chapter.
(3) If the Minister does
so –
(a) a
person may not be appointed to be the liquidator of a foundation or a
foundation of that class that is being wound up under this Chapter unless the
person possesses those qualifications; and
(b) a
person appointed under paragraph (1) ceases to be the liquidator of the
foundation if the person ceases to possess those qualifications.
(4) The
liquidator –
(a) may
be given by the council of the foundation; and
(b) may
exercise,
such of the powers and
duties of the members of the council as the council may determine.
(5) The
liquidator –
(a) may
also be given by the guardian of the foundation; and
(b) may
exercise,
such of the powers and
duties of the guardian in respect of the foundation as the guardian may
determine.
(6) Except
as provided by paragraph (3), the provisions of this Regulation apply in
respect of a foundation subject to any provision to the contrary in the charter
or regulations of the foundation.
7 Dissolution of foundation with no assets and no liabilities
(1) This
Regulation applies where the certificate delivered to the registrar under
Regulation 3(2) in respect of a foundation includes a statement that the
foundation has no assets and no liabilities.
(2) The
note mentioned in Regulation 3(4) must state that the foundation has been
dissolved.
(3) The
foundation is dissolved on the date the note is entered in the register.
8 Dissolution
of solvent foundation with existing liabilities or assets
(1) This
Regulation applies where –
(a) a
certificate in respect of a foundation is delivered to the registrar under
Regulation 3(2); but
(b) the
certificate does not include a statement under Regulation 3(3) that the
foundation has no assets and no liabilities.
(2) If
subsequently –
(a) the
qualified member of the council of the foundation; or
(b) a
liquidator appointed under Regulation 6,
signs and delivers to the
registrar a certificate certifying that the member or liquidator, having made a
full enquiry into the affairs of the foundation, is of the opinion that the
foundation has no assets and no liabilities, the registrar must enter a note in
the register, in respect of the foundation, stating that the foundation has
been dissolved under this Chapter.
(3) The
foundation is dissolved on the date the note is entered in the register.
(4) A
qualified member of the council of a foundation or its liquidator must not sign
and deliver to the registrar a certificate under paragraph (2) without
having reasonable grounds for certifying that the foundation has no assets and
no liabilities.
Penalty:
Imprisonment for 2 years and a fine.
9 Effect
of insolvency
(1) This
Regulation applies if, while a foundation is being wound up under this
Chapter –
(a) the
liquidator appointed under Regulation 6; or
(b) if no
liquidator has been appointed, the qualified member of its council,
forms the opinion that the
foundation is not solvent as determined under Regulation 3(7).
(2) The
member or liquidator must within 28 days, give each creditor of the
foundation notice by post calling a meeting of the creditors to be held in Jersey
between 14 and 28 days after the notice is given.
(3) The
notice must recommend a person to be the liquidator of the foundation for the
purposes of a creditors’ winding up.
(4) The
member or liquidator must deliver a copy of the notice to the registrar.
(5) The
registrar must record the notice in the register in respect of the foundation.
(6) The
member or liquidator must also give notice of the meeting of the creditors of
the foundation by advertisement in the Jersey Gazette not less than
10 days before the proposed meeting.
(7) Before
the meeting the member or liquidator must provide any creditor free of charge
with such information concerning the financial affairs of the foundation as the
creditor may reasonably request.
(8) With
effect from the start of the meeting –
(a) the
winding up becomes a creditors’ winding up of the foundation; and
(b) the
meeting has effect as if it were the creditors’ meeting mentioned in
Regulation 12.
(9) Accordingly,
at the meeting the member or liquidator must provide a statement as to the
financial affairs of the foundation.
(10) The
member or liquidator must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with
any of the obligations imposed on the member or liquidator by this Regulation.
Penalty: A
fine.
(11) It
is a defence for a member or liquidator, charged with the offence of failing to
give a creditor notice required to be given under this Regulation, for the
member or liquidator to show –
(a) that
the member or liquidator undertook reasonable enquiries to ascertain the names
and addresses of the foundation’s creditors; and
(b) the
name and address of the creditor were not ascertained as a result of the
enquiries.
(12) The member or liquidator must
not provide information or a statement under this Regulation without having
reasonable grounds for believing the information or statement to be correct.
Penalty:
Imprisonment for 2 years and a fine.
Chapter 3 – Winding up an insolvent foundation
10 Application
of Chapter
(1) This
Chapter applies where –
(a) a
note has been entered in the register in respect of the foundation under
Regulation 3(4); but
(b) no
certificate was delivered to the registrar under Regulation 3(2).
(2) It
also applies where the winding up of a foundation under Chapter 2 of this
Part becomes a creditors’ winding up by virtue of
Regulation 9(8)(a).
11 Effect of winding
up under this Chapter
(1) The foundation’s
corporate state and capacity continue until it is dissolved.
(2) However –
(a) the
ability of any person to exercise any right or power the person may possess
under the charter or regulations of the foundation ceases; and
(b) the
obligation to carry out any duty imposed on any person by the charter or
regulations of the foundation also ceases.
(3) Furthermore, no action
may be taken or proceeded with against the foundation except by leave of the
Royal Court and subject to such terms as the Court may impose.
(4) Also,
the foundation must include in its written communications, including those
transmitted by electronic means, a statement that the foundation is being wound
up under this Chapter.
Penalty: A
fine.
(5) Despite paragraph (2),
a person who possesses a right or power under the charter or regulations of the
foundation may, before the appointment of a liquidator of the foundation,
exercise that right or power –
(a) with
the sanction of the Royal Court;
(b) to
protect the foundation’s assets; or
(c) in
the case of the qualified member of the council of the foundation, to comply
with Regulation 12.
12 Meeting of creditors in creditors’ winding up
(1) The
qualified member of the council of the foundation must, within 14 days of
delivering the notice to the registrar under Regulation 3(1), give each
creditor of the foundation notice by post calling a meeting of the creditors to
be held in Jersey between 14 and 28 days after the notice is given.
(2) The
notice must recommend a person, who possesses the qualification (if any)
mentioned in Regulation 13(1), to be the liquidator of the foundation.
(3) Before
the meeting the qualified member must provide any creditor free of charge with
such information concerning the financial affairs of the foundation as the
creditor may reasonably request.
(4) At
the meeting the qualified member must provide a statement as to the financial
affairs of the foundation.
(5) The
qualified member shall preside at the meeting.
(6) At
the meeting the creditors may appoint a liquidator of the foundation.
(7) If
they fail to do so, the person recommended by the qualified member under
paragraph (2) shall become the liquidator of the foundation.
(8) A
resolution passed at an adjourned meeting is to be treated for all purposes as
having been passed on the date on which it was in fact passed, and not as having
been passed on any earlier date.
(9) The
qualified member must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with any
of the obligations imposed on the member by this Regulation.
Penalty: A
fine.
(10) It
is a defence for a qualified member, charged with the offence of failing to
give a creditor notice required to be given under paragraph (1), for the
member to show –
(a) that
the member undertook reasonable enquiries to ascertain the names and addresses
of the foundation’s creditors; and
(b) the
name and address of the creditor were not ascertained as a result of the
enquiries.
(11) The qualified member must not
provide information or a statement under this Regulation without having
reasonable grounds for believing the information or statement to be correct.
Penalty:
Imprisonment for 2 years and a fine.
13 Provisions in
respect of a liquidator appointed under this Chapter
(1) The Minister may
publish details of the qualifications a person must possess to be appointed to
be the liquidator of a foundation that is being wound up under this Chapter.
(2) A person may not be
appointed to be the liquidator of a foundation that is being wound up under
this Chapter unless the person possesses those qualifications (if any).
(3) It is the duty of a
liquidator of a foundation that is being wound up under this Chapter to gather
in and distribute the assets of the foundation in a timely manner.
(4) The creditors of a
foundation that is being wound up under this Chapter may, at any time, replace
the liquidator of the foundation, including a liquidator appointed by the Royal
Court.
(5) A person ceases to be
the liquidator of a foundation that is being wound up under this Chapter if the
person ceases to possess any qualification mentioned in paragraph (1).
(6) The Royal Court may, on
reason being given, remove the liquidator of a foundation that is being wound
up under this Chapter and appoint another liquidator of the foundation.
(7) If, for any reason, a
foundation that is being wound up under this Chapter has no liquidator, the
Royal Court may appoint a liquidator to wind up the foundation.
(8) A person appointed
under this Chapter to be the liquidator of a foundation must give each creditor
of the foundation notice of the appointment within the 14 days of being
appointed.
Penalty: A
fine of level 3 on the standard scale.
(9) It is a defence for a
liquidator, charged with the offence of failing to give a creditor notice
required to be given under paragraph (8), for the liquidator to
show –
(a) that
the liquidator undertook reasonable enquiries to ascertain the names and
addresses of the foundation’s creditors; and
(b) the
name and address of the creditor were not ascertained as a result of the
enquiries.
(10) If
the winding up of a foundation under this Chapter continues for more than
12 months, its liquidator must –
(a) by
notice by post, call a meeting of its creditors to be held in Jersey within
3 months after the end of the first 12 months from the commencement
of the winding up, and of each succeeding 12 months, the meeting to be
held between 14 and 28 days after the notice is given; and
(b) at
any such meeting, lay before the meetings an account of the liquidator’s
acts and dealings and of the conduct of the winding up during those preceding
12 months.
Penalty: A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.
(11) The
liquidator of a foundation that is being wound up under this Chapter is
entitled to receive such remuneration –
(a) as is
agreed between the liquidator and the creditors of the foundation; or
(b) failing
any such agreement, as is fixed by the Royal Court.
14 Costs
of winding up
Despite any other provision
of these Regulations, all costs, charges and expenses properly incurred in the
winding up of a foundation under this Chapter, including the remuneration of
its liquidator, are payable out of the foundation’s assets in priority to
all other claims.
15 Application of the law relating to désastre
(1) In
the winding up of a foundation under this Chapter, the rules in force in
relation to persons against whom a declaration has been made under the Bankruptcy (Désastre) (Jersey) Law 1990 shall apply with respect –
(a) to
the respective rights of secured and unsecured creditors of the foundation;
(b) to
debts provable;
(c) to
the time and manner of proving debts;
(d) to
the admission and rejection of proofs of debts;
(e) to
the order of payment of debts; and
(f) to
setting off debts.
(2) In
their application –
(a) for
references to the désastre there shall be substituted references to the
winding up; and
(b) for
references to the Viscount there shall be substituted references to the
liquidator.
16 Final meeting and dissolution
(1) The
liquidator of a foundation being wound up under this Chapter must prepare an
account of the winding up of the foundation as soon as its affairs have been
fully wound up.
(2) The account must
show –
(a) how
the winding up was conducted; and
(b) how
the foundation’s property was disposed of.
(3) The
liquidator must then call a meeting of the creditors of the foundation to be
held in Jersey.
(4) The
meeting must be called by not less than 21 days’ notice sent by post
to each creditor.
(5) The
notice must be accompanied by a copy of the liquidator’s account.
(6) Within
the 7 days after the date of the meeting the liquidator must make a return
to the registrar of the holding of the meeting and of its date.
(7) If
a quorum was not present at the meeting, the liquidator must, in lieu of the
return required by paragraph (6), deliver a return that the meeting was
duly called and that no quorum was present.
(8) In
either case, the return must be accompanied by a copy of the account.
(9) On
receiving the return and the account, the registrar
must put a note in the register in respect of the foundation stating that the
foundation was dissolved under this Chapter.
(10) The foundation is dissolved
on the date the note is entered in the register.
(11) The liquidator of a
foundation must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with any of the
liquidator’s obligations under this Regulation.
Penalty: A
fine of level 3 on the standard scale.
(12) It is a defence for a
liquidator, charged with the offence of failing to give a creditor notice
required to be given under this Regulation, for the liquidator to
show –
(a) that
the liquidator undertook reasonable enquiries to ascertain the names and
addresses of the foundation’s creditors; and
(b) the
name and address of the creditor were not ascertained as a result of the
enquiries.
17 Procedure
at creditors’ meeting
(1) This
Regulation applies at a creditors’ meeting of a foundation.
(2) A
creditor who has been given notice of the meeting is entitled to vote
at –
(a) the
meeting; and
(b) any
adjournment of it,
either in person or by
proxy.
(3) The
value of a creditor’s vote shall be calculated according to the amount of
the creditor’s debt at the time when the notice in respect of the
foundation was delivered to the registrar under Regulation 3.
(4) Despite
paragraph (2), a debt –
(a) for
an unliquidated amount; or
(b) the
value of which has not been ascertained,
does not give a creditor
the right to vote but the chairman of the meeting may put upon the debt an
estimated minimum value that entitles the creditor to do so.
(5) For
a resolution to pass it must be supported by creditors the total value of whose
votes are at least half the total value of the votes of the creditors who vote
on the resolution.
(6) The meeting is not competent to act
unless –
(a) 3 creditors
or their proxies are present; or
(b) if
there are less than 3 creditors, all of the creditors or their proxies are
present,
being creditors entitled to
vote.
18 Powers of a liquidator
(1) Despite
Regulation 11(2), the liquidator may –
(a) exercise
any right or power a person has under the charter or regulations of the
foundation; and
(b) carry
out any duty imposed on any person by the charter or regulations of the
foundation.
(2) The
liquidator may, with the sanction of the Royal Court or with approval given at
a meeting of the creditors of the foundation –
(a) pay a
class of creditors in full; or
(b) compromise
any claim by or against the foundation.
19 Power
to disclaim onerous property
(1) In
this Regulation “onerous property” means –
(a) movable
property;
(b) a
contract lease;
(c) other
immovable property if it is situated outside Jersey,
that is unsaleable or not
readily saleable or is such that it may give rise to a liability to pay money
or perform any other onerous act, and includes an unprofitable contract.
(2) The
liquidator may, on behalf of the foundation, disclaim onerous property of the
foundation.
(3) The
liquidator may do so by notice given to each person who is interested in or
under any liability in respect of the property.
(4) The
notice must –
(a) be
given within the 6 months after the time when the notice in respect of the
foundation was delivered to the registrar under Regulation 3;
(b) be
signed by the liquidator; and
(c) refer
to this Regulation and Regulation 21.
(5) A
disclaimer under this Regulation –
(a) operates
so as to determine, as from the date of the disclaimer, the rights, interests
and liabilities of the foundation in or in respect of the property disclaimed;
but
(b) does
not, except so far as is necessary for the purpose of releasing the foundation
from liability, affect the rights or liabilities of any other person.
(6) A
person sustaining loss or damage in consequence of the operation of a
disclaimer under this Regulation is to be taken to be a creditor of the
foundation to the extent of the loss or damage and accordingly may prove for
the loss or damage in the winding up.
20 Disclaimer
of contract leases
(1) The
disclaimer of a contract lease does not take effect unless a copy of the
disclaimer is served (so far as the liquidator is aware of their addresses) on
each person claiming under the foundation as a hypothecary creditor or
under-lessee and either –
(a) no
application under Regulation 21 is made with respect to the contract lease
before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which
the last notice under this paragraph was served; or
(b) if
such an application has been made, the Royal Court directs that the disclaimer
is to have effect.
(2) If
the Royal Court gives a direction under paragraph (1)(b) it may also,
instead of or in addition to any order it makes under Regulation 21, make
such orders with respect to fixtures, tenant’s improvements and other
matters arising out of the lease as it thinks fit.
21 Powers
of Royal Court in respect of disclaimed property
(1) This
Regulation applies where the liquidator of a foundation has disclaimed property
under Regulation 19.
(2) An
application may be made to the Royal Court under this Regulation
by –
(a) any
person who claims an interest in the disclaimed property (which term shall be
taken to include, in the case of the disclaimer of a contract lease, a person
claiming under the foundation as a hypothecary creditor or an under-lessee); or
(b) any
person who is under any liability in respect of the disclaimed property (which
term shall be taken to include a guarantor), not being a liability discharged
by the disclaimer.
(3) Subject
to paragraph (4), the Royal Court may, on an application under this
Regulation, make an order on such terms as it thinks fit for the vesting of the
disclaimed property in, or for its delivery to –
(a) a
person entitled to it or a trustee for such a person; or
(b) a
person subject to a liability mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) or a trustee
for such a person.
(4) The
Court must not make an order by virtue of paragraph (3)(b) except where it
appears to the Court that it would be just to do so for the purpose of
compensating the person subject to the liability in respect of the disclaimer.
(5) The
effect of an order under this Regulation must be taken into account in
assessing for the purpose of Regulation 19(5) the extent of loss or damage
sustained by a person in consequence of the disclaimer.
22 Unenforceability
of liens on records
(1) Except
as provided by paragraph (2), in the winding up a lien or other right to
retain possession of a record of the foundation is unenforceable to the extent
that its enforcement would deny possession of the record to the liquidator.
(2) Paragraph (1)
does not apply to a lien on a document that gives a title to property and is
held as such.
23 Transactions
at an undervalue
(1) If
the foundation has at a relevant time entered into a transaction with a person
at an undervalue the Royal Court may, on the application of the liquidator,
make such an order as the Court thinks fit to restore the position to what it
would have been if the foundation had not entered into the transaction.
(2) The
Court must not make an order under paragraph (1) if it is satisfied that
the foundation entered into the transaction in good faith for the purpose of
carrying out its object.
(3) Without
prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) but subject to paragraph (5),
an order made under paragraph (1) may do all or any of the following
things, namely –
(a) require
property transferred as part of the transaction to be vested in the foundation;
(b) require
property to be so vested if it represents in a person’s hands the
application either of the proceeds of sale of property so transferred or of
money so transferred;
(c) release
or discharge (in whole or in part) security given by the foundation;
(d) require
a person to pay in respect of a benefit received by the person from the
foundation such sum to the foundation as the Court directs;
(e) provide
for a surety or guarantor whose obligation to a person was released or
discharged (in whole or in part) under the transaction to be under such new or
revived obligation to that person as the Court thinks appropriate;
(f) provide –
(i) for security to
be provided for the discharge of an obligation imposed by or arising under the
order,
(ii) for
the obligation to be secured on any property, and
(iii) for
the security to have the same priority as the security released or discharged
(in whole or in part) under the transaction;
(g) provide
for the extent to which a person –
(i) whose property is
vested in the foundation by the order, or
(ii) on
whom an obligation is imposed by the order,
is to be able to prove in
the winding up of the foundation for debts or other liabilities that arose
from, or were released or discharged (in whole or in part) under or by, the
transaction.
(4) Except
to the extent provided by paragraph (5), an order made under paragraph (1)
may affect the property of or impose an obligation on any person, whether or
not the person is the person with whom the foundation entered into the
transaction.
(5) An
order made under paragraph (1) –
(a) does
not prejudice an interest in property that was acquired from a person other
than the foundation and was acquired in good faith and for value, or prejudice
any interest deriving from such an interest; and
(b) shall
not require a person who in good faith and for value received a benefit from
the transaction to pay a sum to the foundation, except where the person was a
party to the transaction.
(6) In
considering for the purposes of this Regulation whether a person has acted in
good faith, the Court may take into consideration whether the person was
aware –
(a) that
the foundation had entered into a transaction at an undervalue; and
(b) that
the foundation was insolvent or would as a likely result of entering into the
transaction become insolvent.
(7) For
the purposes of this Regulation, a foundation enters into a transaction with a
person at an undervalue if –
(a) it
makes a gift to that person;
(b) it
enters into a transaction with that person –
(i) on terms for
which there is no cause, or
(ii) for
a cause the value of which, in money or money’s worth, is
significantly less than the value, in money or money’s worth, of the cause
provided by the foundation.
(8) Subject
to paragraph (9), the time at which a foundation entered into a
transaction at an undervalue is a relevant time for the purpose of paragraph (1)
if the transaction was entered into during the period of 5 years immediately
preceding the time when the notice in respect of the foundation was delivered
to the registrar under Regulation 3.
(9) The
time to which paragraph (8) refers is not a relevant time
unless –
(a) the
foundation was insolvent when it entered into the transaction; or
(b) the
foundation became insolvent as a result of the transaction.
24 Giving
of preferences
(1) If
the foundation has at a relevant time given a preference to a person the Royal
Court may, on the application of the liquidator, make such an order as the
Court thinks fit for restoring the position to what it would have been if the
preference had not been given.
(2) Without
prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) but subject to paragraph (4),
an order made under paragraph (1) may do all or any of the following
things, namely –
(a) require
property transferred in connection with the giving of the preference to be
vested in the foundation;
(b) require
property to be vested in the foundation if it represents in any person’s
hands the application either of the proceeds of sale of property so transferred
or of money so transferred;
(c) release
or discharge (in whole or in part) security given by the foundation;
(d) require
a person to pay in respect of a benefit received by the person from the foundation
such sum to the foundation as the Court directs;
(e) provide
for a surety or guarantor whose obligation to a person was released or
discharged (in whole or in part) by the giving of the preference to be under
such new or revived obligation to that person as the Court thinks appropriate;
(f) provide –
(i) for security to
be provided for the discharge of any obligation imposed by or arising under the
order,
(ii) for
such an obligation to be secured on any property, and
(iii) for
the security to have the same priority as the security released or discharged
(in whole or in part) by the giving of the preference;
(g) provide
for the extent to which a person –
(i) whose property is
vested by the order in the foundation, or
(ii) on
whom obligations are imposed by the order,
is to be able to prove in
the winding up of the foundation for debts or other liabilities that arose
from, or were released or discharged (in whole or in part) under or by the
giving of the preference.
(3) Except
as provided by paragraph (4), an order made under paragraph (1) may
affect the property of, or impose an obligation on, any person whether or not
the person is the person to whom the preference was given.
(4) An
order made under paragraph (1) shall not –
(a) prejudice
an interest in property that was acquired from a person other than the
foundation and was acquired in good faith and for value, or prejudice any
interest deriving from such an interest; or
(b) require
a person who in good faith and for value received a benefit from the preference
to pay a sum to the foundation, except where the payment is in respect of a
preference given to that person at a time when the person was a creditor of the
foundation.
(5) In
considering for the purpose of this Regulation whether a person has acted in
good faith, the Court may take into consideration whether the person had
notice –
(a) of
the circumstances that amounted to the giving of the preference by the
foundation; and
(b) of
the fact that the foundation was insolvent or would as a likely result of
giving the preference become insolvent.
(6) For
the purposes of this Regulation, a foundation gives a preference to a person
if –
(a) the
person is a creditor of the foundation or a surety or guarantor for a debt or
other liability of the foundation; and
(b) the
foundation –
(i) does anything, or
(ii) suffers
anything to be done,
that has the effect of
putting the person into a position which, in the event of the winding up of the
foundation, will be better than the position the person would have been in if
that thing had not been done.
(7) The
Court shall not make an order under this Regulation in respect of a preference
given to a person unless the foundation, when giving the preference, was
influenced in deciding to give the preference by a desire to put the person
into a position which, in the event of the winding up of the foundation, would
be better than the position in which the person would be if the preference had
not been given.
(8) Subject
to paragraph (9), the time at which a foundation gives a preference is a
relevant time for the purpose of paragraph (1) if the preference was given
during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the time when the
notice in respect of the foundation was delivered to the registrar under
Regulation 3.
(9) The
time to which paragraph (8) refers is not a relevant time
unless –
(a) the
foundation was insolvent at the time the preference was given; or
(b) the
foundation became insolvent as a result of giving the preference.
25 Personal
responsibility of council members
(1) If
it appears that paragraph (2) applies in relation to a person who is or
has been a member of the council of the foundation, the Royal Court on the
application of the liquidator may, if it thinks it proper to do so, order that
the person be personally responsible, without any limitation of liability, for
all or any of the debts or other liabilities of the foundation arising after
the time referred to in paragraph (2).
(2) This
paragraph applies in relation to a person if at a time before the time when the
notice in respect of the foundation was delivered to the registrar under
Regulation 3, the person as a member of the council of the
foundation –
(a) knew
that there was no reasonable prospect that the foundation would avoid a creditors’
winding up or the making of a declaration under the Bankruptcy (Désastre) (Jersey) Law 1990; or
(b) on
the facts known to the person, was reckless as to whether the foundation would
avoid such a winding up or the making of such a declaration.
(3) The
Court must not make an order under paragraph (1) with respect to a person
if it is satisfied that after either condition specified in paragraph (2)
was first satisfied in relation to the person the person took reasonable steps
with a view to minimizing the potential loss to the foundation’s
creditors.
(4) On
the hearing of an application under this Regulation, the liquidator may give
evidence and call witnesses.
(5) If
the Court makes an order under this Regulation, it may give such further
directions as it thinks proper for giving effect to the order.
(6) If
the Court makes an order under this Regulation in relation to a person who is a
creditor of the foundation, the Court may direct that the whole or part of a
debt owed by the foundation to the person and any interest on the debt shall
rank in priority after all other debts owed by the foundation and after any
interest on those debts.
(7) This
Regulation has effect despite the fact that the person concerned may be
criminally liable in respect of matters on the ground of which the order under
paragraph (1) is to be made.
26 Responsibility
for fraudulent acts
(1) If
it appears that the foundation has carried on an activity –
(a) with
intent to defraud creditors of the foundation or creditors of another person;
or
(b) for a
fraudulent purpose,
the Royal Court may, on the
application of the liquidator, order that persons who were knowingly parties to
the carrying on of the activity in that manner are to be liable to make such
contributions to the foundation’s assets as the Court thinks proper.
(2) On
the hearing of the application the liquidator may give evidence and call
witnesses.
(3) If
the Court makes an order under this Regulation, it may give such further
directions as it thinks proper for giving effect to the order.
(4) If
the Court makes an order under this Regulation in relation to a person who is a
creditor of the foundation, the Court may direct that the whole or part of a
debt owed by the foundation to the person and any interest on the debt shall
rank in priority after all other debts owed by the foundation and after any
interest on those debts.
(5) This
Regulation has effect despite the fact that the person concerned may be
criminally liable in respect of matters on the ground of which the order under
paragraph (1) is to be made.
27 Extortionate
credit transactions
(1) This
Regulation applies if the foundation is, or has been, a party to a transaction
for, or involving, the provision of credit to the foundation.
(2) The
Royal Court may, on the application of the liquidator, make an order with
respect to the transaction if the transaction –
(a) is or
was extortionate; and
(b) was
entered into during the 3 years before the notice in respect of the
foundation was delivered to the registrar under Regulation 3.
(3) For
the purposes of this Regulation, a transaction is extortionate if, having
regard to the risk accepted by the person providing the credit –
(a) the
terms of it are or were such as to require grossly exorbitant payments to be
made (whether unconditionally or in certain contingencies) in respect of the
provision of the credit; or
(b) it
otherwise grossly contravened ordinary principles of fair dealing.
(4) It
shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that a transaction with
respect to which an application is made under this Regulation is or, as the
case may be, was extortionate.
(5) An
order under this Regulation with respect to a transaction may contain one or
more of the following as the Court thinks fit –
(a) provision
setting aside the whole or part of an obligation created by the transaction;
(b) provision
otherwise varying the terms of the transaction or varying the terms on which a
security for the purposes of the transaction is held;
(c) provision
requiring a person who is or was a party to the transaction to pay to the
liquidator sums paid to that person, by virtue of the transaction, by the
foundation;
(d) provision
requiring a person to surrender to the liquidator property held by the person
as security for the purposes of the transaction;
(e) provision
directing accounts to be taken between any persons.
28 Delivery
and seizure of property
(1) Paragraph (2)
applies if a person has possession or control of property or records to which
the foundation appears to be entitled.
(2) The
Royal Court may require the person, either forthwith or within a period of time
that the Court may direct, to pay, deliver, convey, surrender or transfer the
property or records to the liquidator.
(3) Paragraph (4)
applies if –
(a) the
liquidator seizes or disposes of property that is not property of the
foundation; and
(b) at
the time of seizure or disposal the liquidator believed, and had reasonable
grounds for believing, to be entitled, either in pursuance of an order of the
Court or otherwise, to seize or dispose of the property.
(4) The
liquidator –
(a) is
not liable to any person in respect of loss or damage resulting from the
seizure or disposal except in so far as the loss or damage is caused by the
negligence of the liquidator; and
(b) has a
lien on the property, or the proceeds of its sale, for expenses incurred in
connection with the seizure or disposal.
29 Duty
to co-operate with liquidator
(1) Each
of the persons mentioned in paragraph (2) must –
(a) give
the liquidator information concerning the foundation and its formation,
dealings, affairs or property that the liquidator may reasonably require;
(b) attend
on the liquidator at reasonable times and on reasonable notice when requested
to do so; and
(c) notify
the liquidator in writing of any change of the person’s address,
employment, or name.
(2) The
persons referred to in paragraph (1) are –
(a) persons
appointed under the charter or regulations of the foundation or persons that
have held such appointments at any time within 12 months before the time
when the notice in respect of the foundation was delivered to the registrar
under Regulation 3;
(b) persons
who are in the employment of the foundation, or that have been in its
employment within 12 months before the time when the notice in respect of
the foundation was delivered to the registrar under Regulation 3.
(3) For
the purposes of paragraph (2) “employment” includes employment
under a contract for services (contrat de louage
d’ouvrage).
(4) A
person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with an obligation
imposed on the person by this Regulation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months and a fine.
30 Liquidator
to report possible misconduct
(1) The
liquidator must take the action specified in paragraph (2) if it appears
to the liquidator in the course of the winding up –
(a) that
the foundation has committed a criminal offence;
(b) that
a person has committed a criminal offence in relation to the foundation; or
(c) in
the case of a person appointed under the charter or regulations of the
foundation, that for any reason the person’s conduct has been such that
an order should be sought against the person under Article 78 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991.
(2) The
liquidator must forthwith report the matter to the Attorney General.
Penalty: A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.[1]
(3) The
Attorney General may refer the matter to the Commission and the Commission
shall thereupon investigate the matter.
(4) If
requested to do so by the Attorney General or the Commission, the liquidator
must –
(a) provide
the Attorney General or the Commission with information;
(b) give
the Attorney General or the Commission access to, and facilities for inspecting
and copying, a document in the possession or under the control of the
liquidator; and
(c) otherwise
provide such assistance to the Attorney General or the Commission as the
liquidator is reasonably able to give,
that relates to the matter
in question.
Penalty: A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.[2]
(5) If
it appears to the Royal Court –
(a) that
the foundation has committed a criminal offence;
(b) that
a person has committed a criminal offence in relation to the foundation; or
(c) in
the case of a person appointed under the regulations of the foundation, that
for any reason the person’s conduct has been such as to raise a question
whether an order should be sought against the person under Article 78 of
the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991,
and that no report with
respect to the matter has been made by the liquidator to the Attorney General
under paragraph (2), the Court may, on the application of a person
interested in the winding up or of its own motion, direct the liquidator to
make such a report.
31 Bar against other proceedings in bankruptcy
The winding up of the foundation
under this Chapter bars the right of any other person to take any other
proceedings in bankruptcy in respect of the foundation.
Part 3
Dissolution for non-payment
of annual fee or Amount
32 Dissolution
for non-payment of annual fee or additional amount
(1) This Part applies
where –
(a) the
published annual administration fee; or
(b) any
additional amount,
mentioned in Article 37 of the Law, has not been paid before
30th June in the year in which it is due.
(2) The registrar may
publish a notice in the Jersey Gazette and send a copy of it to the foundation.
(3) The notice
must –
(a) contain
details of the outstanding fee or amount; and
(b) state
that if the fee or amount is not paid within the 3 months following the
date of the notice, the name of the foundation will be removed from the
register and, accordingly, the foundation will be dissolved.
(4) The registrar may
remove the name of the foundation from the register if the fee or amount is not
paid as provided by the notice,
(5) If the register does
so, the foundation is thereupon dissolved.
(6) The register must
publish in the Jersey Gazette the name of any foundation dissolved under this
Part.
Part 4
Winding up on just and equitable grounds
33 Application of Part – winding up by Royal Court
This Part applies where the Royal Court is of the opinion that it
is –
(a) just and equitable; or
(b) in the public interest,
that a foundation should be wound up by the Court.
34 Application to
the Royal Court to wind up a foundation
An application to the Royal Court to wind up a foundation under this
Part may be made –
(a) on the grounds
mentioned in Regulation 33(a), by a person with standing in respect of the
foundation; or
(b) on the ground mentioned
in Regulation 33(b), by the Attorney General or by the Commission.
35 Winding up by
Royal Court
(1) If the Court orders a
foundation to be wound up under this Part, the Court –
(a) must
appoint a person to be the liquidator of the foundation; and
(b) may
make such orders as it sees fit to ensure that the winding up is conducted in
an orderly manner.
(2) The liquidator
must –
(a) within
14 days after the Act of the Royal Court ordering the winding up of the
foundation under this Part is made, deliver the Act to the registrar; and
(b) within
14 days of completing the winding up deliver to the registrar a notice
stating that the winding up of the foundation has been completed.
Penalty: A
fine of level 3 on the standard scale.
(3) When the Act of the
Royal Court ordering the winding up of the foundation under this Part is
delivered to the registrar under paragraph (2)(a), the registrar must
enter a note in the register, in respect of the foundation, stating that the
foundation is being wound up under this Part.
(4) When a notice stating
that the winding up of the foundation has been completed is delivered to the
registrar under paragraph (2)(b), the registrar must enter a note in the
register, in respect of the foundation, stating that the foundation has been
wound up under this Part.
(5) The foundation is
dissolved on the date the note is entered in the register under paragraph (4).
Part 5
Provisions of general application on winding up of a foundation
36 References
to the Royal Court
(1) This Regulation applies
where a foundation is being wound up under these Regulations.
(2) A person with standing
in respect of the foundation or any liquidator of the foundation may, under
Part 5 of the Law, apply to the Royal Court –
(a) for
the determination of a question arising in the winding up; or
(b) for
the Court to exercise any of its powers under Part 5 of the Law in
relation to the winding up.
37 Disposal of
remaining assets of a foundation
(1) This Regulation applies
where the Royal Court is satisfied –
(a) that
a foundation is being wound up under these Regulations; and
(b) that
any remaining property of the foundation cannot be disposed of in the manner
specified in the charter of the foundation.
(2) A person with standing
in respect of the foundation or any liquidator of the foundation may apply to
the Royal Court for an order as to the disposal of the property.
(3) The Court may make an
order providing for the disposal of the property for any purpose that, in the
opinion of the Court, most resembles the object of the foundation.
38 Disposal of records
(1) This Regulation applies
when a foundation has been dissolved under these Regulations.
(2) Its records and those
of any liquidator may be disposed of –
(a) if
the foundation was wound up under Chapter 2 of Part 2, in such manner
as the former council of the foundation may direct;
(b) if
the foundation was wound up under Chapter 3 Part 2, in such manner as
the foundation’s creditors may direct;
(c) if
the foundation was wound up under Part 3, in such manner as the registrar
may direct;
(d) if
the foundation was wound up under Part 4, in such manner as the Royal
Court may direct.
(3) After 10 years
from the foundation’s dissolution no responsibility rests on a
person –
(a) who
was a member of the council of the foundation;
(b) who
was a liquidator of the foundation; or
(c) to
whom the custody of the records of the foundation has been committed,
by reason of any record not being forthcoming to a person claiming
to be interested in it.
(4) The Commission may
direct that for such period as it thinks proper (but not exceeding 10 years
from the foundation’s dissolution), the records of the foundation shall
not be destroyed.
(5) A person must not act
in contravention of a direction under paragraph (4).
Penalty: A
fine of level 3 on the standard scale.[3]
Part 6
Power of Royal Court to declare dissolution of a foundation void
39 Royal
Court may declare dissolution of a foundation void
(1) The
Royal Court may make an order declaring the dissolution of a foundation under
these Regulations to have been void.
(2) The
order may be made on the application of any person who would have been a person
with standing in respect of the foundation had it not been dissolved.
(3) The
application may only be made during the 10 years after the dissolution of
the foundation.
(4) The
order may be made on such terms as the Royal Court thinks fit.
(5) The
Royal Court may, by the order, give directions and make provisions necessary to
place the foundation and any other person (including the Crown) in the same
position, as nearly as may be, as if the foundation had not been dissolved.
(6) The
person upon whose application the order was made must, within the 28 days
after the order is made or within such longer period as the Royal Court may
allow, deliver the Act of the Royal Court to the registrar.
Penalty: A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.
(7) The
registrar must amend the register accordingly.
Part 7
Citation
40 Citation
These Regulations may be cited as the Foundations (Winding up) (Jersey)
Regulations 2009.