Section 261 — Companies Act 1993: Power to obtain documents and information

261 Power to obtain documents and information (1) A liquidator may, from time to time, by notice in writing, require a director or shareholder of the company or any other person to deliver to the liquidator such books, records, or documents of the company in that person's possession or under that person's control as the liquidator requires. (2) A liquidator may, from time to time, by notice in writing require— (a) A director or former director of the company; or (b) A shareholder of the company; or (c) A person who was involved in the promotion or formation of the company; or (d) A person who is, or has been, an employee of the company; or (e) A receiver, accountant, auditor, bank officer, or other person having knowledge of the affairs of the company; or (f) A person who is acting or who has at any time acted as a solicitor for the company—

to do any of the things specified in subsection (3) of this section. (3) A person referred to in subsection (2) of this section may be required— (a) To attend on the liquidator at such reasonable time or times and at such place as may be specified in the notice: (b) To provide the liquidator with such information about the business, accounts, or affairs of the company as the liquidator requests: (c) To be examined on oath or affirmation by the liquidator or by a barrister or solicitor acting on behalf of the liquidator on any matter relating to the business, accounts, or affairs of the company: (d) Assist in the liquidation to the best of the person's ability. (3A) Without limiting subsection (3)(a) of this section, a person may be required to attend on the liquidator under that subsection at a meeting of creditors of the company. (4) Without limiting subsection (5) of this section, the liquidator may pay to a person referred to in paragraph (d) or paragraph (e) or paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of this section, not being an employee of the company, reasonable travelling and other expenses in complying with a requirement of the liquidator under subsection (3) of this section. (5) The Court may, on the application of the liquidator or a person referred to in paragraph (d) or paragraph (e) or paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of this section, not being an employee of the company, order that that person is entitled to receive reasonable remuneration and travelling and other expenses in complying with a requirement of the liquidator under subsection (3) of this section. (6) A person referred to in paragraph (d) or paragraph (e) or paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of this section is not entitled to refuse to comply with a requirement of the liquidator under subsection (3) of this section by reason only that— (a) An application to the Court to be paid remuneration or travelling and other expenses has not been made or determined; or (b) Remuneration or travelling and other expenses to which that person is entitled have not been paid in advance; or (c) The liquidator has not paid that person travelling or other expenses. (6A) A person who fails to comply with a notice given under this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 373(3) . (7) Nothing in this section limits or affects section 260 of this Act. Subsection (2) was amended, as from 1 July 1994, by section 312(1) Companies Act 1993 Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 6) by inserting the words “ , from time to time, ” . Subsection (3A) was inserted, as from 1 July 1994, by section 31(2) Companies Act 1993 Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 6). Subsection (6A) was inserted, as from 3 May 2001, by section 13 Companies Act 1993 Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 18).