Special administration

There are a number of special administration regimes (SARs) in the UK which amend the general administration process set out in the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986). These are found in industries where companies carry out a statutory function of a public nature, for example, water or energy, or where there is a wider public interest in having a bespoke administration regime, for example, financial institutions or social housing. The form of these regimes generally follows that set out in IA 1986, but the nature of the industry means that it is appropriate for the administrator to have modified objectives and corresponding powers to achieve those objectives.

Quick guide

For a summary table of SARs that exist in England and Wales, see Practice Note: Special administration regimes—quick guide. This guide also sets out future developments in relation to existing special administration regimes, or proposals for special administration regimes in new areas.

A selection of more detailed materials for particular industry SARs are available as follows.

Energy supply companies

The government introduced a SAR for energy supply companies in the Energy Act 2011 (

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