Clause 45

by deleting paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and substituting the following paragraph:“(a)unless the bankrupt has obtained the previous sanction of the Official Assignee, the bankrupt is incompetent to commence, continue or defend —

any action other than —

an action for damages in respect of any injury to the bankrupt’s person; or

a matrimonial proceeding; or

any appeal arising from any action referred to in sub‑paragraph (i); and”;

by inserting, immediately after subsection (1), the following subsection:“(1A) Despite subsection (1)(a), the bankrupt must notify the Official Assignee of any proceedings referred to in subsection (1)(a)(i)(A) or (B), or any appeal arising from any such proceedings, not later than 3 days before commencing, continuing or defending the proceedings or appeal, as the case may be.”; and

by inserting, immediately after subsection (2), the following subsection:“(3) In this section —“action” and “proceedings” include arbitration;“matrimonial proceeding” means —

a proceeding under Part VIII, IX or X of the Women’s Charter (Cap. 353); or

a proceeding referred to in section 35(2)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) or 35A of the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 3).”.