Romeo and Inspector-General in Bankruptcy

This matter concerned an objection to the discharge from bankruptcy of Mrs Romeo, who sought an extension of the bankruptcy term on the grounds of her failure to respond to requests for information from the Inspector-General in Bankruptcy. The court was required to determine whether Mrs Romeo had a reasonable excuse for her failure to provide the requested information, and consequently, whether the decision to extend the term of her bankruptcy should be set aside.

The court considered evidence regarding Mrs Romeo's mental state during the period when the requests for information were made and served. Medical reports indicated that Mrs Romeo suffered from severe anxiety and depression during 2012, the relevant period. The court found that this mental state was the cause of her failure to respond to the trustee's requests, noting her feeling of being intimidated by the trustee and her general inability to cope with aspects of her life, particularly those involving interaction with the trustee. The court rejected the suggestion that her failure to pay her solicitors' fees was the true cause of her default.

Ultimately, the court was satisfied that Mrs Romeo's severe anxiety and depression constituted a reasonable excuse for her failure to provide the requested information. Accordingly, the decision to extend the term of her bankruptcy was set aside, and the objection to her discharge from bankruptcy was cancelled.