Commentary on Sections Functions of sheriff and Accountant in Bankruptcy in sequestration Section 31 – Removal of commissioner
80.Section 31 amends section 30 of the 1985 Act and prescribes the process by which a commissioner may be removed from office on an order of the sheriff. New section 30(5) of the 1985 Act provides that the trustee, the Accountant in Bankruptcy or a person representing not less than one quarter in value of the creditors may apply to the sheriff for the removal of a commissioner. Section 30(6) of the 1985 Act provides that the sheriff must ensure the application for removal is served on the relevant commissioner, intimated to every creditor who has given a mandate to the commissioner, and that the commissioner has the opportunity to make representations, before making a decision on whether to remove the commissioner from office under subsection (4)(c). The provision for the trustee, the Accountant in Bankruptcy, the commissioner or any creditor to appeal against the sheriff’s decision is contained in new section 30(8) of the 1985 Act. An appeal must be lodged within 14 days after the date of the sheriff’s decision.