The Insolvency Service (IS) have announced that their IT upgrade is nearly complete. Their old computers been replaced by some new models. In terms of the switch over the IS note:
"Change to Insolvency Service IT
7 October 2010 – 18 October 2010*
The Insolvency Service is committed to providing the best service to its customers. We have been developing a comprehensive IT led change programme (which we call “Enabling the Future”), and as part of this programme, we are pleased to announce the replacement and modernisation of our insolvency case management IT systems. This change to our IT will:
• Introduce new, modern case management systems
• Completely replace all legacy insolvency case systems
• Introduce significant efficiency savings, to the benefit of our fee-paying customers
• Enable us to continue to provide an effective, streamlined service to all our customers
In order to accomplish the change, essential work will be carried out between 7 October and 18 October 2010*. For the majority of our customers there will be no disruption to the service we provide during this period: however, some facilities will not be available, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result...
Additional Information
A. I am bankrupt or have obtained a Debt Relief Order, or am the director of a company in compulsory liquidation
As you may be aware, the online forms service will be closing from 30 November 2010. The service will be unavailable in the period from 7 October 2010 to 18 October 2010. If you submit any information through the online forms service during this period, the official receiver’s staff will ask you to provide a paper copy.
If you are bankrupt, subject to a debt relief order, or the director of a company in compulsory liquidation, the official receiver will continue to carry out his duties throughout the change. Your statutory duty to cooperate with his enquiries remains unaffected. If you have an Income Payments Agreement or Income Payments Order, you should continue to make any payments that are due.
No payments out of insolvents’ estates can be made during the period from 7 October to 18 October 2010*. This includes any dividend payments to your creditors, and any refunds.
B. I am thinking of making myself bankrupt / a creditor has petitioned for my bankruptcy / my company may be wound up
As you may be aware, the online forms service will be closing from 30 November 2010. It will be unavailable in the period from 7 October 2010 to 18 October 2010: if you submit any information online during this period, the official receiver may ask for a paper copy.
C. I am a creditor in bankruptcy, compulsory liquidation or Debt Relief Order proceedings
It will not be possible to issue any payments from insolvents’ estates in the period between
7 October and 18 October 2010*: this includes dividend payments to creditors. Normal payment of dividends will resume thereafter.
No Debt Relief Order applications will be determined between 7 October and 18 October 2010* and therefore during this period creditors will not receive any DRO related notifications, either postal or electronic.
D. I am a member of staff at the High Court, or at a County Court with insolvency jurisdiction
The official receiver will continue to carry out his duties throughout the change, and our service to you will not be affected.
E. I am a member of staff at a bank with whom the Insolvency Service does business
Please note that no payments from insolvents’ estates will be issued in the period from
7 October to 18 October 2010*, and our account with you will show reduced activity as a result.
If you have any queries during this period, please contact the Cashiers team on 0121 698 4257.
F. I am a member of staff at HM Revenue & Customs
The Insolvency Service’s investigation work will continue as normal throughout this period.
Electronic daily notifications of insolvency orders will not be available during the period from 7 October 2010 to 18 October 2010*. Information relating to orders made after 7 October 2010 will be forwarded to HMRC following the introduction of the new systems. If you have any queries regarding this service, please contact Dino Georgiou (telephone number 020 7291 6714; or email Dino.Georgiou@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk) or Lindsey Haselgrove (telephone number 0151 625 6971; email Lindsey.Haselgrove@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk).
G. I am an insolvency practitioner
Please continue to send in required information and updates as normal. A reduced service will operate in some areas:
Insolvents’ estate accounts
It will not be possible to issue any payments from insolvents’ estates in the period between
7 October 2010 and 18 October 2010*: this includes dividend payments to creditors. Deposits into the Insolvency Service Account can continue to be made as usual, but will not be credited to the estate account until service has resumed.
The EAS Enquiries team will still be available to answer your calls however due to limited system access during this time the service they can offer may be reduced.
During this period, we will be unable to process any release applications however if you continue to submit these documents they will be stored on site and as soon as our systems are back up and running, we will update our records.
Following the changes the BANCS on-line system will be re-branded as ISCIS on-line. The look and feel of the system will be different, however, the service offered will not alter. EAS are working on an instruction document which will be issued to assist you.
If you have any queries regarding the administration of insolvents’ estate accounts, please contact Estate Accounts Enquiries on 0121 698 4268.
Individual Voluntary Arrangements
IVAs can be approved and supervisors appointed as normal. However, IVA details will not be updated in the period from 7 October 2010 to 18 October 2010*, and new IVA details will not be recorded on the register. The register will be updated once the new systems are online: please note that it may take some time for the new information to be displayed.
If you have any queries regarding the administration of the register, please contact Gary Maneffa (please call 0121 698 4102; or email Gary.Maneffa@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk).
Insolvency practitioner details
Insolvency practitioner details which change during the period from 7 October 2010 to 18 October 2010* will not be reflected on the “Find an IP” search tool on the Insolvency Service’s website. Updates will be processed once the new systems are online: please note that it may take some time for the new information to be displayed.
If you have any queries regarding the IP database, please contact Tina Littlewood (please call 0121 698 4180; or email Tina.Littlewood@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk).
Submission of Redundancy Payment Information
Submission of redundancy forms will not be affected and service will continue as normal. The new CHAMP system will be rolled out later in the year. Information regarding developments and timetable will be included in the regular RPS Mailshot issued to IPs and ERA staff.
Recognised Professional Bodies
The RPBs have been notified of this interruption to our service so they will be able to take it into account when carrying out monitoring visits and considering the actions of their practitioners.
H. I am considering obtaining a Debt Relief Order
Approved Intermediaries will continue to have access to the DRO Website and will therefore be able to complete DRO applications on behalf of clients. However, no Debt Relief Order applications may be submitted between 7 October 2010 and 18 October 2010*.
I. I am an authorised intermediary and would like information about the impact on the Debt Relief Order process
Approved Intermediaries will continue to have access to the DRO Website and will therefore be able to complete DRO applications on behalf of clients. However, no Debt Relief Order applications may be submitted between 7 October 2010 and 18 October 2010*.
J. I would like information about the Insolvency Service's Insolvency Practitioner database
Insolvency practitioner details which change during the period from 7 October 2010 to 18 October 2010* will not be reflected on the “Find an IP” search tool on the Insolvency Service’s website. Updates will be processed once the new systems are online.
If you have any queries regarding the IP database, please contact Tina Littlewood (please call 0121 698 4180; or email Tina.Littlewood@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk).
K. I would like information about the Insolvency Service's electronic Individual Insolvency Register (eIIR)
Details held on the eIIR will not be accessible during the period from 7 October 2010 and 18 October 2010*, access to details held on the eIIR will be available once the new systems are online.
If you have any queries regarding the eIIR Register, please contact Steve.Clarke@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk (tel. 020 7291 6712).
L. I use the London Gazette to find out about insolvency events.
Because of the non-availability of our IT systems there will be a delay in sending for publication in the Gazette the information in respect of insolvency events. No information will be sent for gazetting in the period from 7 October 2010 to 18 October 2010*, and thereafter there will be a build up of gazettes being published for the following week. This does not affect gazettes issued by insolvency practitioners which will continue as normal."
Picture Credit: http://www.computermuseum.li/Testpage/ZX-81-Spectrum.jpg
Comments