03/10/2005

National scheme to tackle personal debt

People with personal debt problems are set to benefit from a new national scheme, which encourages early contact between debtors and creditors.

The introduction of Pre-Action Notices (PAN), by the Department for Constitutional Affairs, is aimed at helping people to resolve debt difficulties without going to court.

PANs will be issued by the court as a last action by the creditor before issuing a claim and will outline:
  • details of the debt allegedly owed
  • debtor’s options to resolve the problems immediately
  • sources of independent debt advice
  • that increased liabilities may be incurred if court action is taken
On receiving a PAN, debtors will have a specified period of time to contact the creditor to agree payment, discuss the possibility of payment over a period of time or inform the creditor that they are seeking independent debt advice.

If debtors decide to seek advice, the creditors will have to allow “sufficient time” for them to meet and decide a course of action before making a claim.

A pilot PAN scheme, announced on Monday, will run for 12 months and will involve 10 creditors from the utility, government and debt collection sectors. It will also be restricted to consumer debt.

Announcing the scheme, Baroness Cathy Ashton, Under-Secretary of State at the DCA, said: “The PAN will ensure that debtors receive information on the options available to them to avoid court action. They will also be told where to seek advice and assistance.

“It will mean that debt problems can be resolved earlier without the need to go to court. This will save both the debtor and creditor the cost and stress of unnecessary or inappropriate court action.”

(KMcA/SP)

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