Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1983
What is this act about?
This law allows for the appointment of an administrator to manage insurance companies that are in financial difficulty or are being run in a way that harms policyholders. Its main goal is to protect the public interest by ensuring the proper regulation and conduct of non-life insurance business.
Who it applies to: Insurance companies, particularly those involved in non-life insurance; Policyholders of these insurance companies.
At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Area of law
- Banking, insurance and financial markets
- Articles
- 13
- Source
- irishstatutebook.ie
- Text retrieved
- Explanation updated
What does this act regulate?
- The appointment of administrators for insurance companies.
- The powers of these administrators and the High Court in managing such companies.
- The conditions under which an administration can be terminated.
- Amendments to existing insurance legislation (Insurance Act, 1964).
Who does this act apply to?
- Insurance companies, particularly those involved in non-life insurance.
- Policyholders of these insurance companies.
What are the key points?
- The Minister may ask the High Court to appoint an administrator for an insurer if its business is failing to cover debts, jeopardising policyholders' rights, or not meeting regulatory requirements.
- An administrator takes over the management of the insurer's business to place it on a sound commercial and financial footing.
- The court can appoint a provisional administrator without prior notice in urgent cases.
- An administration ends if the insurer is wound up, or if the court orders its termination, especially if the insurer can demonstrate it will operate soundly and pay any debts to the Insurance Compensation Fund.
Banking, insurance and financial markets
Banking, insurance and financial markets
Legal text
Legal text
Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1983 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1983 Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1983 Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1983 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 29 of 1983 INSURANCE (No. 2) ACT, 1983 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section
Section 1
Interpretation.
Section 2
Appointment of administrators of insurers.
Section 3
Powers of administrator and court.
Section 4
Bodies connected with insurers.
Section 5
Hearing of proceedings otherwise than in public.
Section 6
Regulations.
Section 7
Amendment of section 1 of Act of 1964.
Section 8
Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1964.
Section 9
Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1964.
Section 10
Contributions to Insurance Compensation Fund by insurers.
Section 11
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
Section 12
Repeals.
Section 13
Short title, construction and collective citation.
SCHEDULE Modifications of Companies Act, 1963.
Acts Referred to Companies Act, 1963 1963, No. 33 Companies Acts, 1963 to 1983 Insurance Act, 1936 1936, No. 45 Insurance Act, 1964 1964, No. 18 Insurance Acts, 1909 to 1983 Number 29 of 1983 INSURANCE (No. 2) ACT, 1983 AN ACT TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE INSURANCE ACTS, 1909 TO 1983. [19th October, 1983] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:— Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires— “the Act of 1964” means the Insurance Act, 1964 ; “an administrator” means a person appointed, whether under subsection (2) or (4) of section 2 of this Act, to perform the functions conferred on an administrator by this Act; “authorisation” and “non-life insurance” have the meanings repectively assigned to them by the Regulations; “body” means a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons; “the business”, in relation to an insurer, includes the business of managing investments and assets held by the insurer; “company”, “contributory” and “director” have the meanings respectively assigned to them by the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1983; “the court” means the High Court; “functions” includes powers and duties and references to the performance of functions include references to the exercise of powers and the carrying out of duties; “insurer” and “policy” have the meanings respectively assigned to them by the Act of 1964, as amended by this Act; “policy holder”, in relation to an insurer, means a person (other than the insurer) who is a party to a policy issued by the insurer; “the Regulations” means the European Communities (Non-Life Insurance) Regulations, 1976 (S.I. No. 115 of 1976).
Appointment of administrators of insurers.
2.—(1) The Minister may present a petition to the court for an order for the administration of an insurer and the appointment of an administrator in relation to such insurer and may do so notwithstanding that there is or may be another remedy or course of action available to him in relation to such insurer.
Provided that any such annulment shall not invalidate any act or function done or performed by the provisional administrator.
Power of administrator and court.
3.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and, in particular, to the functions conferred on an administrator by section 2 of this Act— (a) an administrator (whether appointed under subsection (2) or (4) of section 2 of this Act) shall as on and from his appointment have all the powers (including the power to sell the real and personal property and things in action of the insurer concerned) that he would have, and there shall apply in relation to him all the statutory provisions that would so apply, if he were a liquidator appointed by the court in respect of the insurer and (in a case where the insurer is not a company) the insurer were a company, and (b) where an administrator stands appointed (whether under subsection (2) or (4) of section 2 of this Act), the court shall have under this Act all the powers that it would have if it had made a winding up order and appointed a liquidator in respect of the insurer concerned and (in a case where the insurer is not a company) the insurer were a company, and (c) where a petition is presented to the court for an order for administration or the appointment of an administrator, the court shall thereupon have under this Act all the functions that it would have if a petition had been presented to it for the winding up of the insurer concerned, and the provisions of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1983, and any instruments made thereunder and, in particular, the provisions of those Acts and instruments relating to the winding up of companies by the court and to liquidators of companies shall apply and have effect accordingly in relation to the powers and functions aforesaid with the modifications specified in this subsection, in the Schedule to this Act and in any order under subsection (6) of this section and with any other necessary modifications:
Provided that, save as otherwise specified in this section— (i) the business of the insurer concerned shall be continued without interruption as a going concern and no contract (including a contract of employment or service), policy, transaction, bank account or bank mandate, right, title, claim, debt, proceeding or obligation of the insurer or right, claim or proceeding against the insurer, shall be avoided, cancelled, stayed or otherwise affected by reason only of the order for administration or the appointment of the administrator or the application to the insurer of the provisions of the said Acts and instruments, and (ii) the provisions of sections 131, 132, 159, 161, 218, 219 and 222, paragraphs (a) to (f) of section 228 and sections 231
Bodies connected with insurers.
4.—(1) The court may, in relation to a body connected with an insurer, on application to it by the administrator (whether appointed under subsection (2) or (4) of section 2 of this Act), if it considers— (a) that— (i) the affairs of that body are being conducted, or are likely to be conducted, in a manner which is calculated or likely to jeopardise or prejudice the interests of the insurer or of the creditors or policy holders of the insurer, or (ii) it is expedient, for the purpose of preserving the assets (including the investments) of the insurer or of safe guarding the interests of the insurer, its creditors or policy holders, that the carrying on of the business of that body or the exercise of the powers of its directors or management should be curtailed or regulated in any particular respect, or (iii) having regard to the relationship between the insurer and that body, any part of the property or undertaking of the body should be preserved or controlled, and (b) that, to do so would be just and equitable and would, by facilitating and contributing to the safeguarding of the interests of the insurer or of the creditors or policy holders of the insurer, assist in the maintenance, in the public interest, of the proper and orderly regulation and conduct of non-life insurance business, make such order as it thinks fit (including an order conferring powers on the administrator in relation to the affairs of that body) whether directing or prohibiting any act or restraining, cancelling or varying any agreement or transaction or the exercise of any power.
Hearing of proceedings otherwise than in public.
5.—The whole or part of proceedings under this Act, or an appeal in relation thereto, may be heard otherwise than in public if the court considers that the interests of the insurer concerned or its creditors or policy holders or the public interest so requires.
Regulations.
6.—(1) Whenever an administrator stands appointed to an insurer under subsection (2) or (4) of section 2 of this Act, the Minister may, if he considers that it is in the public interest to do so, make such regulations as he considers necessary or appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the proper and orderly regulation and conduct of non-life insurance business.
Amendment of section 1 of Act of 1964.
7.—Section 1 of the Act of 1964 is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “insurer”: “‘insurer’ means the holder of an authorisation;”, (b) the insertion of the following definition: “‘authorisation’ means an authorisation under the European Communities (Non-Life Insurance) Regulations, 1976;”, and (c) the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “policy”: “‘policy’ means any document or other writing by which a contract of insurance (other than a contract of re-insurance) as respects non-life insurance (within the meaning of the European Communities (Non-Life Insurance) Regulations, 1976) is made or agreed to be made or which is evidence of any such contract”.
Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1964.
8.—Section 2 (3) of the Act of 1964 is hereby amended by the deletion of paragraph (b).
Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1964.
9.—Section 3 of the Act of 1964 is hereby amended by— (a) the insertion in subsection (1) after “the 1st day of January, 1963,” of “and before the passing of the Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1983,”, (b) the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (1): “(1A) Subject to the provisions of this section, there may, with the approval of the High Court, be paid out of the Fund to the liquidator of an insolvent insurer (including an insurer whose authorisation has been revoked by the Minister) the winding up of which has been commenced by the High Court after the passing of the Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1983— (a) such amounts as may be necessary to pay any sum which is due to a person under a policy issued by the insurer in the State, together with the costs or expenses (if any) necessarily and reasonably incurred by the person in endeavouring to secure payment of the sum, and (b) such amounts as may be necessary to pay any sum in respect of the refund of a premium, and, upon receipt of the amounts by the liquidator, he shall pay to every such person the sum due to him as aforesaid together with the costs and expenses aforesaid (if any) incurred by him.”, (c) the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (2): “(2A) Where an amount is paid out of the Fund to the liquidator of an insurer under subsection (1A) of this section in respect of a sum due under a policy issued by the insurer and the costs and expenses (if any) incurred in relation to the sum, or in respect of a refund of a premium, the amount paid shall be admitted in the proceedings for the winding up of the insurer by the High Court as a proved debt of the insurer having the same priority as the sum due under the policy or in respect of the refund of the premium, as the case may be, and the Accountant shall, as respects the amount paid out of the Fund, be a creditor of the insurer. (2B) Subject to the provisions of this section, there may, with the approval of the High Court, be paid out of the Fund to the administrator of an insurer such amounts as are, in the opinion of the High Court, required to enable the administrator to carry on the business of the insurer and to perform his other functions under this Act in relation to the insurer. (2C) Where any sum has been paid out of the Fund to an administrator of an insurer pursuant to subsection (2B) of this section— (a) the amount thereof shall be an unsecured debt of the insurer, and (b) with a view to facilitating the placing of the business of the insurer on a sound commercial and financial footing, the Minister may at any time waive all or part of the said debt on behalf of the Fund; in exercising this power, the Minister shall have due regard to any amounts which may be realisable on a winding up of the insurer and to any representations made to him by the administrator or by any other insurer.
(2D) While an administrator stands appointed to an insurer, no dividends or other distributions to shareholders of the insurer shall be payable by the insurer if any debt due to the Fund by the insurer (not including any debt waived by the Minister under this section) has not been paid.”, and (d) the deletion, as respects any insurer the winding up of which by the High Court is commenced after the passing of this Act, of subsection (5).
Contributions to Insurance Compensation Fund by insurers.
10.—The Act of 1964 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 6: “6.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an insurer (other than an insolvent insurer which is being wound up by the High Court) shall, in any year in respect of which a percentage is determined under subsection (2) of this section, pay to the Minister, and the Minister shall transmit to the Fund, the appropriate contribution.
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
11.—Every order and regulation made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled, accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Repeals.
12.—The following provisions of the Insurance Act, 1936 , are hereby repealed: (a) paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (6) of section 12, (b) the words “the issued shares of such company are, to an extent not less than two-thirds (in nominal value) thereof and carrying voting rights (whether immediate or to arise in certain future circumstances), in the beneficial ownership of a person who is or of two or more persons all of whom are citizens of Saorstat Éireann, and the majority of the directors (other than a managing director giving the whole of his time to his duties as such director) are citizens of Saorstat Éireann, and” in subsection (11) (b) of the said section 12, and (c) section 19.
Short title, construction and collective citation.
13.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1983.
SCHEDULE Modifications of Companies Act, 1963
Section 3
.
Reference Number Provision of Companies Act, 1963 Modifications
(1)
(2)
Section 135
The reference to an application to the High Court by any director of a company or any member of a company shall be construed as a reference to an application to the court by the administrator.
2.
Section 148
The obligation on directors of a company to lay a profit and loss account and a balance sheet before the annual general meeting of the company shall be construed as an obligation on the administrator to deliver a profit and loss account and a balance sheet to the registrar of companies not later than six months after the end of the year to which they relate.
3.
Section 150
The obligation to lay group accounts (within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1963 ) of a company before the annual general meeting of the company shall be construed as an obligation on the administrator to deliver group accounts (within the meaning aforesaid) to the registrar of companies not later than six months after the end of the year to which they relate.
4.
Section 156
The obligation that every balance sheet and profit and loss account of a company shall be signed on behalf of the directors by two or three, as the case may be, of the directors shall be construed as an obligation that every such balance sheet and profit and loss account shall be signed by the administrator.
5.
Section 158
The obligations specified in subsection (1) shall be construed as an obligation on the administrator to deliver to the registrar of companies, not later than six months after the end of the year to which it relates, a report by him on the state of the company's affairs and, if the company is a holding company, on the state of affairs of the company and its subsidiaries as a group.
6.
Section 160
The duty of a company to appoint and re-appoint an auditor or auditors shall be construed as a duty of the court, on the application of the administrator, to appoint an auditor or auditors to hold office for such period as may be determined by the court and, on the application of the administrator, to re-appoint an auditor or auditors as occasion requires for such period as may be determined by the court and, on the application of the administrator and having heard any submission of the auditor or auditors concerned, to remove at any time an auditor or auditors and to appoint in his or their place another person or other persons for such period as may be determined by the court.
The power of the directors of a company to fill any casual vacancy in the office of auditor shall be construed as a power of the court, on the application of the administrator, to fill any such vacancy.
The power of a company and of the directors of a company to fix the remuneration of the auditors of the company shall be construed as a power of the court, on the application of the administrator, to fix such remuneration.
7.
Section 163
The obligation on the auditors of a company to make a report to the members of the company on the matters specified in the section shall be construed as an obligation on the auditors to deliver such a report to the registrar of companies not later than six months after the end of the year to which it relates.
8.
Section 231
The powers conferred by subsection (1) shall be exercisable by the administrator of an insurer without his having obtained the sanction specified in the subsection.
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