Companies Act 2014 section 527

No lien over company's books, records, etc.

Section 527 prevents any person from withholding company documents or claiming a lien over them when an examiner has been appointed or the company is under court protection, thereby ensuring that advisers and other third parties cannot hold company records hostage as security for unpaid fees.

• No person may withhold from the examiner any deeds, instruments, documents, accounting records, receipts, bills, invoices, or similar papers belonging to or relating to the company
• No person may claim a lien over any such company documents or papers
• Where documents have been deposited as security for a mortgage, charge, or pledge, handing them over to the examiner does not prejudice the holder's underlying security rights, only the right to retain physical possession is lost
• If the examiner comes into possession of documents belonging to or examinable by a receiver, the examiner must make them available for inspection by the receiver at all reasonable times, unless the court directs otherwise

---