Probate and Administration Act 1898

Where an executor, administrator or trustee neglects to file, or verify and file, an inventory of the estate of the deceased or to file, or file and pass, or verify and file, or verify, file and pass, the accounts relating to the estate in accordance with a requirement made by or under section 85 within one month after the expiration of the time fixed for compliance, the Registrar shall cause the executor, administrator or trustee to be notified of the executor’s, administrator’s or trustee’s neglect.

Where, on the expiration of one month after having been so notified, an executor, administrator or trustee further neglects to comply with the requirement in respect of which the notification under that subsection was given, the Court may, of its own motion, order the executor, administrator or trustee to show cause before the Court why the executor, administrator or trustee should not be ordered to file, or verify and file, an inventory of the estate of the deceased or to file, or file and pass, or verify and file, or verify, file and pass, the accounts relating to the estate, as the case may require, in the Court forthwith.

Where an executor, administrator or trustee to whom subsection (2) applies fails to show cause as referred to in that subsection, the executor, administrator or trustee shall be liable to punishment for contempt of court or to the payment of a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

An executor, administrator or trustee to whom subsection (2) applies shall, unless the Court otherwise orders, be personally liable for the cost and expenses of any proceedings pursuant to this section.