The Act is generally regarded as a consolidation of earlier statutes relating to bankruptcy.
Although the Act is expressed solely with reference to the bankruptcy of individuals, section 317 of the Companies Act 1948 applied many of its provisions to corporate insolvencies.[3]
^That section provides: "In the winding up of an insolvent company ... the same rules shall prevail and be observed with regard to the respective rights of secured and unsecured creditors and to, debts provable ... as are in force for the time being under the law of bankruptcy in England with respect to the estates of persons adjudged bankrupt, ..."