DIVIDENDS

Dividends must be declared and paid in accordance with the following rules:

1) The first dividend must be declared and paid within four months of the first meeting of the creditors, unless postponed with the consent of the committee of inspection;

2) Subsequent dividends must be declared and paid at intervals of not more than six months;

3) The trustee must give not more than two month's notice of intention to declare a dividend to every creditor mentioned in the statement of affairs who has not proved his debt, requiring proof to be lodged not later than a date at least 14 days from the date of the notice; he must admit or reject all proofs within 14 days of the date specified; appeal against rejection must be commenced within seven days; the trustee must have the notice gazetted;

4) After declaring a dividend, details thereof must be sent to every creditor who has proved and must be gazetted;

5) The trustee must make provision for creditors who have not had time to submit proofs, or to establish disputed claims, and for the expenses of administration;

6) A creditor who has not proved before declaration of a dividend may be paid if the trustee has any money still in his hands, and may participate in future dividends;

7) If a dividend is paid on a future debt, a rebate of interest at 6% per annum from the date of the dividend to the date for payment of the debt must be deducted;

8) A final dividend may be declared when all the bankrupt's property has been realised, or so much of it as can be realised without needlessly protracting the trusteeship; notice must be given to persons who have notified, but have not established, their claims, requiring them to do so within the time specified in the notice;

9) Unclaimed dividends remaining in the hands of the trustee for six months must be paid into the Bankruptcy Estates Account; the receipt of the Official Receiver discharges the trustee in respect thereof, any claimant must apply to the Official Receiver for payment.