Insolvency is the inability to pay debts in full. Prior to 1839, the distribution of insolvent estates took place before the Supreme Court (6 William IV no.10 and 2 Vict no. 29). Under 3 Victoria No. 1, two Commissioners of Insolvent Estates were appointed to hear all matters in insolvency, one for Hobart and the other for Launceston (from 1 August 1839). The series end date of 1900 reflects the fact that a few cases continued on after the insolvency legislation was superseded by the Bankruptcy Act 1870.

The documents created in this series can include declarations of insolvency, meetings of creditors, notices of advertisement, schedules of debts and claims and appointments of assignees to administer/collect/recover/dispose of the insolvent's effects. Not all early documents in insolvency have survived and in this case the related series of minutes should be consulted.

These records are part of the holdings of the Tasmanian Archives