The updated UK Insolvency Rules 2016 will come into force on 6 April 2017.

The new rules have four aims:

- to reflect modern business practice and increase efficiency;

- to restructure and modernise the 1986 Rules;

- to implement policy changes; and

- to consolidate the 1986 Rules and subsequent amendments.

The Insolvency Rules 2016 (the “2016 Rules”) were laid before the UK Parliament on 25 October 2016, and will come into force on 6 April 2017. The Insolvency Rules 1986 (the “1986 Rules”) and all amending legislation will be repealed. There will be significant changes in the way insolvency practitioners conduct insolvency procedures. The structure and layout of the 2016 Rules are very different to the 1986 Rules and they seek to recognise the use of technology and electronic communication in modern business life.