Disclosure of documents

Pantmaenog Timber Co Ltd (in liquidation) Official Receiver v Meade-King (a firm) and others (HL NLJ 12 September)

Section 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 provides that the court might, on the application of the office holder, require any person whom the court thought capable of giving information concerning the dealings, affairs or property of the company, to produce any documents in his possession relating to those matters. The Official Receiver sought such orders against two firms of solicitors and one firm of accountants, which had acted for the company. He conceded that his sole purpose in seeking such orders was to obtain evidence for use in proceedings to disqualify the directors under s7(3) of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.