The Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004 © Crown Copyright 2004 Statutory Instruments printed from this website are printed under the superintendence and authority of the Controller of HMSO being the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament. The legislation contained on this web site is subject to Crown Copyright protection. It may be reproduced free of charge provided that it is reproduced accurately and that the source and copyright status of the material is made evident to users. It should be noted that the right to reproduce the text of Statutory Instruments does not extend to the Queen's Printer imprints which should be removed from any copies of the Statutory Instrument which are issued or made available to the public. This includes reproduction of the Statutory Instrument on the Internet and on intranet sites. The Royal Arms may be reproduced only where they are an integral part of the original document. The text of this Internet version of the Statutory Instrument which is published by the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament has been prepared to reflect the text as it was Made. A print version is also available and is published by The Stationery Office Limited as the The Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004, ISBN 0110626400. The print version may be purchased by clicking here. Braille copies of this Statutory Instrument can also be purchased at the same price as the print edition by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0870 600 5522 or e-mail: customer.services@tso.co.uk. Further information about the publication of legislation on this website can be found by referring to the Frequently Asked Questions. To ensure fast access over slow connections, large documents have been segmented into "chunks". Where you see a "continue" button at the bottom of the page of text, this indicates that there is another chunk of text available. Draft Regulations laid before the Scottish Parliament under section 62(4) of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, for approval by resolution of the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 2(3) and (4), 4(5), 5(4), 6(1), 7 and 62(2) of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002[1] and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Regulations, a draft of which has, in accordance with section 62(4) of that Act, been laid before and approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament: Citation and commencement 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004, and shall come into force on the fourteenth day after the day on which they are made. Interpretation: general 2. - (1) In these Regulations-
(b) rent; (c) an insurance premium; (d) a duty, local or general tax, or rate; (e) domestic water charge or domestic sewerage charge; (f) any aliment, periodical allowance, child maintenance or child support; (g) the supply of electricity, gas, or fixed line telephone services; (h) heating oil or solid fuel; (i) a hire purchase or conditional sale agreement; and (j) a criminal fine;
(b) a sum secured by a standard security, other than a sum specified in regulation 3(b)(i); or (c) a contingent liability that has not become purified;
(b) any person or body who may exercise the functions of the Scottish Ministers by virtue of an order made under section 8 (functions of the Scottish Ministers) of the Act;
(2) A form referred to by number in these Regulations means the form so numbered in Schedule 1, or a form of substantially the same effect with such variation as the circumstances may require.
(bb) judicial or contractual interest; (cc) charges or penalties due under a contract on any default in respect, or breach of, that contract; (dd) lease or tenancy agreement; (ee) enactment;
(ii) secured by a standard security, to the extent that the sum is arrears of a periodic payment due to be paid under a loan agreement so secured;
(b) excludes any sum due by a debtor-
(ii) as a liability for the purpose of section 17(2B) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986[7].
Dispensing power Debtor to have a money adviser 7. - (1) A debtor shall have a money adviser during the period of operation of a debt payment programme. (2) A debtor shall forthwith give written notice to the DAS administrator that a money adviser has ceased to act for the debtor. (3) Where notice is given under paragraph (2), a debtor shall state the reason why the money adviser has ceased to act. (4) A money adviser shall assist the debtor to appoint a replacement adviser where that first adviser has ceased to act by reason of the resignation, or revocation or suspension of approval, of that first adviser. Approval of a money adviser 8. - (1) An application to the DAS administrator for approval as a money adviser shall be in form 1. (2) The DAS administrator shall approve an application under paragraph (1) if satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be a money adviser. (3) A person, other than a person specified in regulation 10(2), shall be a fit and proper person to be a money adviser if, but not only if, the person has-
(b) a certificate issued by MATRICS stating that the person
(ii) is recommended for approval by the DAS administrator as a money adviser.
(4) Approval as a money adviser shall be for a period of 2 years.
(b) in the opinion of the DAS administrator the adviser-
(ii) continues to fail to carry out that function, after 2 weeks from the date of written notice to the adviser of that failure.
(3) The DAS administrator shall suspend the approval of a money adviser for a period of 6 months, where MATRICS certify that the adviser is temporarily unable to carry out the functions of an adviser under the Act or these Regulations.
(b) a person or body providing financial services, or financial advice other than money advice, in the course of a business or otherwise for profit, or an employee of such a person, unless the person is a-
(ii) chartered or certified accountant; (iii) a credit union registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965[8] by virtue of section 1 (registration under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965) of the Credit Unions Act 1979[9];
(c) a person providing debt collection services, or an employee of such a person;
Functions and duty of a money adviser
(b) liaise with creditors on behalf of a debtor; (c) assist a debtor with, and advise on, implementation or variation of a debt payment programme; (d) prepare and submit on behalf of a debtor an application under these Regulations; (e) review a debt payment programme in every sixth month of operation; (f) act as a lay representative in a court, where the adviser has accepted instructions by a debtor to act; (g) seek revocation of a debt payment programme, where no payments have been made under the programme for 12 months; and (h) provide, as required by the DAS administrator, evidence of or information about the participation of a debtor in a debt payment programme.
(2) A money adviser shall not charge a fee to a debtor for money advice, unless the adviser has informed the debtor-
(b) of the name of-
(ii) the nearest adviser providing free money advice to the debtor's place of residence, where there is no adviser within a 10 kilometre radius of the debtor's usual place of residence, and
the debtor has agreed in writing to pay a fee.
(3) A money adviser shall have regard to guidance issued by the DAS administrator when carrying out a function of an adviser.
(ii) a change of payments distributor;
(b) the payments distributor for the programme of the matter specified in paragraph (a)(i); and
Approval of a payments distributor 13. - (1) An application to the DAS administrator for approval as a payments distributor shall be in form 2. (2) The DAS administrator shall approve an application under paragraph (1) if satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person or body to be a payments distributor. (3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2), an applicant shall not be a fit and proper person if the person or body does not satisfy the criteria specified in Schedule 5. (4) The DAS administrator may make approval under paragraph (2) subject to any reasonable condition. (5) Approval as a payments distributor shall be for a period of 3 years, and may be renewed by a further application for approval made no later than 6 months before the end of an initial or a renewed period, as the case may be. Revocation of approval of a payments distributor 14. - (1) The DAS administrator may revoke the approval of a payments distributor where-
(b) the administrator is satisfied that the distributor is no longer a fit and proper person to be an distributor; or (c) in the opinion of the DAS administrator the distributor-
(ii) continues to fail to carry out that function, after 2 weeks from the date of written notice to the distributor of that failure.
(2) On an approval being revoked under paragraph (1), the distributor whose approval is revoked shall transfer to a substitute payments distributor the debt payment programmes for which that first distributor is responsible, within a reasonable period specified by the DAS administrator.
(b) to distribute sums received by the distributor in accordance with the debt payment programme, or any agreement for voluntary payment of a continuing liability; (c) to provide payment and distribution reports to money advisers, and to creditors; (d) subject to paragraph (2), to provide a facility for voluntary payment by a debtor of a continuing liability; and (e) to provide information to the DAS administrator about the exercise of a function of a payments distributor.
(2) Where a payments distributor is not providing the facility specified in paragraph (1)(d), the distributor may elect in respect of each period of approval under regulation 13(5), or part of a period if an election is made other than at the start of the period, whether or not to provide that facility.
(b) subject to paragraph (2), may charge an administration fee to a creditor taking part in a debt payment programme.
(2) An administration fee shall be no more than 5% of the sum due to be paid to a creditor in a distribution by the distributor. Debt Arrangement Scheme Register 17. - (1) There shall be a register of debt payment programmes, to be known as the Debt Arrangement Scheme Register ("the DAS Register"). (2) The DAS administrator shall maintain the DAS Register, which may be wholly or partially in electronic form. Information on the DAS Register 18. - (1) Information in respect of the matters relating to debt payment programmes specified in paragraph (2) shall be held on the DAS Register. (2) The specified information is-
(b) an application by the DAS administrator to the sheriff for approval of a programme; (c) a notice that a programme is to be approved; (d) an approved programme; (e) an application for variation of a approved programme; (f) an application by the DAS administrator to the sheriff for variation of an approved programme; (g) a variation of an approved programme; and (h) an appeal to the sheriff or sheriff principal.
(3) The DAS Register shall include for each debtor who has applied for approval of a debt payment programme, or who is taking part in a programme, a record of-
(b) the age; (c) the home address or addresses, and any business address; and (d) the business address of the money adviser (or the money advice body for that adviser),
of the debtor.
(b) a payments distributor; and (c) any other person, on reasonable cause being shown to the DAS administrator.
Application for approval 20. - (1) A debtor who is habitually resident in Scotland may apply to the DAS administrator for approval of a debt payment programme. (2) An application under paragraph (1)-
(b) may be made by electronic means, but if so the money adviser for the debtor shall retain the form 3, signed by the debtor and the money adviser in accordance with sections 2(3) and 3(2) respectively of the Act, for a period of 5 years or the period of the programme (whichever is the longer); and (c) shall be competent notwithstanding that the consent of the creditor under section 7(4) of the Act and regulation 22 is not incorporated in form 3.
Debtors who may apply for approval
(b) a debtor is a party to a trust deed; (c) a debtor's estate has been sequestrated, and the debtor has not been discharged under sections 54 (automatic discharge after 3 years) or 75 (amendments, repeals and transitional provisions) of the 1985 Act; (d) a debtor is a bankrupt, who has not been discharged under sections 279 (duration) or 280 (discharge by order of the court) of the 1986 Act; or (e) a debtor is subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order (including an interim order) or bound by a bankruptcy restrictions undertaking, under Schedule 4A (bankruptcy restrictions order and undertaking) of the 1986 Act[14].
(3) An application may be made where a creditor, including a creditor of a debt being paid under a conjoined arrestment order in respect of another debt not so paid, has attempted to enforce a debt due by the debtor by any lawful means.
(b) the amount due to all creditors who refuse to consent does not exceed 60% of the total debt included in a programme.
(5) Where a creditor does not consent to an application under paragraph (1), and that consent is not deemed as given or dispensed with, the approval of a debt payment programme under regulations 25, 26 or 27 shall not be invalid by reason only of the lack of consent provided that the debtor did not know, and could not reasonably have known, the identity of the creditor.
(b) is in possession of heritable property with substantial unsecured value.
(2) An objection under paragraph (1) must be made within 21 days after the date of intimation (which shall be the date of posting if applicable) of a request for consent under regulation 22.
(b) pay interest on a sum due, or part thereof, shall be waived.
(2) An agreement under paragraph (1) may be made subject to a condition that-
(b) payment is made over the agreed period, not being longer than the period of the programme.
Approval of agreed programmes
(b) the period over which a programme will operate; (c) the method, and frequency, of payments under a programme; (d) an earlier proposed programme that was not approved; (e) a matter specified in regulation 21(2) that would have prevented an application being made, where the matter no longer has that effect; (f) the involvement of the debtor in a-
(ii) time to pay direction under section 1 (time to pay directions) of the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987, or time to pay order under section 5 (time to pay orders) of that Act[15]; or (iii) time order under section 129 (time orders) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974[16];
(g) the extent to which creditors have consented (deemed or otherwise) or objected to a programme;
(3) In determining whether a debt payment programme is fair and reasonable, the DAS administrator may have regard to any other factor that the administrator considers appropriate.
(b) a creditor objects under regulation 23.
(3) In determining whether a programme is fair and reasonable, the sheriff shall have regard to the matters specified in regulation 26(2), and may have regard to any other factor that the sheriff considers appropriate.
(b) pay a continuing liability when due for payment; (c) except for a continuing liability, make no payment to a creditor taking part in a programme other than a payment under the programme; (d) not apply for or obtain credit beyond that permitted by regulation 35(1)(b), or by a variation of a programme approved under regulation 39; (e) notify the money adviser for a programme of a-
(ii) material change of circumstances, within 7 days of becoming aware of the change; and
(f) within 10 days after receipt by the debtor of a written request from the money adviser for the programme, supply the adviser with such information or evidence as the adviser may request in respect of the income, assets or liabilities of the debtor.
Discretionary conditions
(b) sign and deliver a payment instruction to an employer; (c) seek agreement from a creditor to pay a continuing liability under regulation 34; (d) complete, and submit when due, a tax or duty return or declaration; (e) maintain an emergency fund in accordance with paragraph (4); or (f) be bound by any other reasonable condition intended to secure completion of the programme.
(3) An excepted asset is-
(b) an asset that is exempt from attachment under section 11 (articles exempt from attachment) of, or that is not a non-essential asset under schedule 2 (non essential assets) to, the Act.
(4) In respect of an emergency fund, the debtor shall-
(b) make no payment from the fund other than a payment for-
(ii) an essential requirement of the debtor or an immediate family member who is maintained by the debtor.
(5) An emergency repair is one required to maintain-
(b) in reasonable working order any item that is not a non-essential asset for the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Act; (c) a vehicle required by the debtor for travelling to work, or other essential purpose.
Notification of approval or rejection
(b) the approval shall have effect in accordance with regulation 28(2).
(4) The money adviser shall intimate-
(ii) in form 5, to each creditor known to the adviser; (iii) the clerk of a court that has made-
(bb) an order or direction specified in regulation 26(2)(f)(ii) and (iii);
(iv) where payments are to be made under an earnings arrestment, to the employer of the debtor; and
(b) the rejection of an application-
(ii) to each creditor known to the adviser; and (iii) the payments distributor.
Methods of payment 32. - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a debtor shall make a payment due under a debt payment programme to the payments distributor by means of a-
(b) direct debit or standing order; or (c) smart card, swipe card, smart key or other type of payment card or key.
(2) The DAS administrator may approve a payment method other than a method specified in paragraph (1), if satisfied that successful completion of a programme is more likely by virtue of the use of that other payment method.
(b) notice from a money adviser under regulations 45(3) or 49(2).
(5) An employer may on making a payment due under an instruction charge a fee equivalent to the fee chargeable for the time being under section 71 (employer's fee for operating diligence against earnings) of the Debtor's (Scotland) Act 1987[17], and deduct that fee from the balance then due to the debtor.
(b) not be entitled to recover from a debtor the amount paid to the debtor in breach of the mandate.
(7) The obligation of an employer to make a payment due under an instruction shall be extinguished one year after the date that the liability to pay arose, unless court proceedings for payment are commenced within that period.
(b) if required by the creditor, the administration fee (if any) that is due to be paid in respect of the liability by the creditor to the payments distributor under regulation 16(1)(b),
by a method approved under regulation 32.
(b) no body or person shall give credit to the debtor, other than-
(ii) credit approved by a variation under regulation 39; (iii) further credit given as part of a cyclical loan arrangement in operation at the date of approval where the payment by the debtor does not vary by reason of that credit being given, for example a revolving credit agreement or a current account mortgage; (iv) subject to paragraph (2), trade credit incurred by the debtor in the ordinary course of a business; (v) subject to paragraph (2), credit for emergency repairs as specified in regulation 30(5); and (vi) subject to paragraph (2), credit for reasonable funeral expenses in respect of an immediate family member;
(c) a creditor shall not attempt to persuade the debtor to withdraw from the programme, or to make additional payments in respect of a debt included in the programme; and
(ii) notify a money adviser of any liability where the creditor has security against a co obligant of the debtor.
(2) The debtor shall when applying for, or before obtaining, credit under paragraph (1)(b)(iv) to (vi) give notice in form 5 of approval of the debt payment programme to any person who may give such credit.
(b) commence any diligence to enforce payment of; or (c) found on in presenting, or concurring in the presentation of, a petition for the sequestration of the debtor's estate,
the debt due to the creditor, as long as the programme is approved.
(ii) after paragraph (b), insert-
(b) after subsection (2), insert-
(ii) an article has been removed, or notice of removal has been given, under section 53 below;
(b) implement a decree of furthcoming;
Effect on a debtor Application for variation 37. - (1) An application to the DAS administrator for variation of a debt payment programme may only be made-
(b) subject to paragraph (2), by a creditor.
(2) A creditor may not apply for a variation unless the creditor has first made a reasonable attempt to agree the variation with the money adviser for the debtor.
(b) the debtor; and (c) to each creditor taking part in the programme.
(5) An application under paragraph (1)-
(b) may be made by the debtor by electronic means, but if so the money adviser for the debtor shall retain the form 8, signed by the money adviser and the debtor in accordance with sections 3(2) and 5(4) respectively of the Act, for a period of 5 years or the period of the programme (whichever is the longer).
Grounds for variation
(b) on agreement between a debtor and a creditor that a liability of the debtor to-
(ii) pay interest on a sum, shall be waived;
(c) on a material change in the circumstances of a debtor;
(2) An application for variation shall not be made in respect of any other debt of a debtor.
(ii) views of the debtor; (iii) views of a creditor taking part in the programme and of any creditor making the application; and
(b) may have regard to any other factor the administrator or sheriff considers appropriate.
(5) Approval of a variation may be made subject to a condition under regulation 30.
(b) to the payments distributor; (c) in form 9 to a creditor-
(ii) who has applied for the variation to be approved.
Revocation on sequestration 41. Approval of a debt payment programme shall be revoked by the DAS administrator on an award of sequestration under a petition by a debtor for the sequestration of the debtor's estate. Application for revocation 42. - (1) An application to the DAS administrator for revocation of the approval of a debt payment programme, shall only be made by-
(ii) in exercise of a function under these Regulations; or
(b) a creditor taking part in the programme.
(2) An application under paragraph (1) shall be in form 10.
(b) fails without reasonable cause to satisfy a condition under regulations 29 or 30; (c) makes a statement in an application under these Regulations which the debtor knows to be untrue; or (d) a payment to be paid under the programme becomes due, and there remains unpaid a sum, due in respect of previous payments so due, of not less than the aggregate of two such payments.
Determination of a revocation
(b) the nature of any failure, or untrue statement; (c) any factor that tends to indicate whether or not the programme will be successful; and
(2) The DAS administrator in determining whether to revoke an approval of a debt payment programme may have regard to any other factor that the administrator considers appropriate in all the circumstances.
(b) to each creditor known to the adviser in form 11; (c) the payments distributor; (d) where there is a payment instruction under regulation 33, to the employer.
(4) Where there is no money adviser, the DAS administrator shall intimate the revocation to-
(b) in form 11, to each creditor taking part in the programme.
Apparent insolvency
(b) (c)(vi), insert-
Report of completion 47. On completion of a debt payment programme, a payments distributor shall send a report of completion in form 12 to the money adviser for the programme. Notices by a money adviser: completion 48. - (1) A money adviser for a debt payment programme shall send notice of completion of the programme in form 13 to the DAS administrator where-
(b) the creditors in the programme agree in writing to completion before the end of the period of the programme.
(2) A money adviser shall intimate any agreement under paragraph (1)(b) to the payments distributor.
(b) to each creditor known to the adviser in form 15; (c) where there is a payment mandate under regulation 33, to the employer.
Appeals 50. - (1) A debtor may, on a point of law, appeal to the sheriff against a determination of the DAS administrator not to approve a debt payment programme. (2) A creditor named in an application for a debt payment programme may, on a point of law, appeal to the sheriff against a determination of the DAS administrator to-
(b) approve a programme.
(3) A debtor, a creditor participating in a debt payment programme, or a creditor who has applied for variation of a programme on the grounds in regulation 38(1)(d) or (e) may, on a point of law, appeal to the sheriff against a determination of the DAS administrator to-
(b) approve, or refuse to approve, a variation of a programme; (c) revoke a programme.
(4) A debtor may, with the leave of the sheriff, and on a point of law, appeal to the sheriff principal against a determination of the sheriff to refuse to approve a debt payment programme.
(b) lodged within 14 days after the date of intimation to the appellant of the determination appealed against.
(7) The decision of the sheriff or sheriff principal, as the case may be, is final. 1. Application for approval as a money adviser 2. Application for approval as a payments distributor 3. Application for approval of a debt payment programme 4. Notification to creditor of application for approval of a debt payment programme 5. Notification of approval of a debt payment programme 6. Payment instruction to employer 7. Notice of recall of an arrestment 8. Application for variation of a debt payment programme 9. Notification to creditor of determination of variation 10. Application for revocation of a debt payment programme 11. Notification of revocation 12. Report of completion by a payments distributor 13. Notice of completion by money adviser 14. Confirmation of completion by DAS administrator 15. Notification to creditor of completion of a debt payment programme
6 Declaration I certify that this organisation meets the requirements of Schedule 5 of the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and attach the necessary supporting documentation Signature Name Position held Date
15 Details of debts
16 Nominated Payment Distributor Details
11 Debt due to creditor
(Continue to list all debts due to the creditor, if more than one)
(Specify amount offered in respect of each debt, if more than one)
A fair and reasonable debt payment programme will be approved under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, and the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004. If approved, the debt payment programme will protect the applicant from enforcement action, or from sequestration, by you. You should seek legal advice before responding to this Notification. You do not need to consent to the payment offer by the applicant. You are also entitled to object to the debt payment programme. The grounds of objection are that you consider that the applicant should be sequestrated, or is in possession of heritable property with a substantial unsecured value. If you wish to refuse consent, or to object, then you must contact the money adviser stated in this Notification within 21 days of the date of this Notification. If you do not contact the money adviser then you will be deemed to consent to the proposed debt payment programme.
5 DEBT (Complete where, and as, appropriate)
The debt arrangement scheme is constituted under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002. The Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004 specify the circumstances in which a debt payment programme may be approved under that scheme. An approved debt payment programme protects the applicant from enforcement action, or from sequestration, by most creditors. You may wish to obtain legal advice about the effect of such approval in general, and of this notice in particular.
The employee/debtor specified in section 4 instructs you to deduct the sum specified in section 3 from the net earnings of the employee/debtor from the next payday and at each payday thereafter, and pay it as soon as reasonably practicable to the payment distributor specified in section 7, quoting the Unique Reference Number on this mandate. Deductions should be made until the total sum of £(insert amount) has been paid, or until notice of recall of this instruction if earlier. It is your duty under section 6 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 to comply with this instruction. You are entitled, by virtue of regulation 33 of the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2004 to charge a fee equivalent to the fee chargeable under section 71 of the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987. Signature, or name of person giving this notice Date
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||