OREANDA-NEWS. June 24, 2015. Ms Cousins (58), has given an undertaking to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, which means that she is bound for 5 years until June 2020 - by the restrictions set out in insolvency law that a bankrupt is subject to until they are discharged from bankruptcy – normally 12 months. In addition, she cannot manage or control a company during this period.

The disqualification follows an investigation by the Insolvency Service.

Scannells Hunt LLP was placed in liquidation on 21 November 2012 with a tax liability of over £238,709 to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) still owing. In signing her disqualification undertaking, Ms Cousins admitted that she had failed to ensure Scannells Hunt LLP complied with its statutory obligation and had caused it to trade to the detriment of HMRC.

Mark Bruce, Chief Investigator, Investigation and Enforcement Services at the Insolvency Service, said:

The Insolvency Service will rigorously pursue persons who seek to undermine the tax system by attempting to avoid their statutory obligations to HMRC.

Limited liability protection is a privilege to ensure businesses trade in an open and fair market. Such protection is only available to those who comply with their obligations. If those obligations are ignored, that protection will be withdrawn.

Notes to Editors

Scannells Hunt LLP (Scannells) was incorporated on 11 September 2008 and was placed into Voluntary Liquidation on 21 November 2012.

Ms Elizabeth B A Cousins provided a disqualification undertaking to the Secretary of State on 1 June 2015. The disqualification commences on 22 June 2015. Her date of birth is 10 June 1957.

Scannells traded as a solicitor’s firm from premises at Parker House, 104 Heath Road, Shenfield, Brentwood, Essex.

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

  • act as a director of a company
  • take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
  • be a receiver of a company’s property

In addition that person cannot act as an insolvency practitioner and there are many other restrictions are placed on disqualified directors by other regulations.

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings.