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Section 251H: The moratorium period

Insolvency Act 1986 · 1986 c. 45View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 7A: Debt relief orders

The moratorium relating to the qualifying debts specified in a debt relief order continues for the period of one year beginning with the effective date for the order, unless—

the moratorium terminates early; or
the moratorium period is extended by the official receiver under this section or by the court under section 251M.

The official receiver may only extend the moratorium period for the purpose of—

carrying out or completing an investigation under section 251K;
taking any action he considers necessary (whether as a result of an investigation or otherwise) in relation to the order; or
in a case where he has decided to revoke the order, providing the debtor with the opportunity to make arrangements for making payments towards his debts.

The official receiver may not extend the moratorium period for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) without the permission of the court.

The official receiver may not extend the moratorium period beyond the end of the period of three months beginning after the end of the initial period of one year mentioned in subsection (1).

The moratorium period may be extended more than once, but any extension (whether by the official receiver or by the court) must be made before the moratorium would otherwise end.

References in this Part to a moratorium terminating early are to its terminating before the end of what would otherwise be the moratorium period, whether on the revocation of the order or by virtue of any other enactment.

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This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.