Bankruptcy consolidation Bill passes

23rd March 2016

Scottish laws on insolvency have been brought together into one piece of legislation for the first time in a generation today as the new Bankruptcy (Scotland) Bill 2016 is passed by the Scottish Parliament.

The Bill captures all of the amendments made to the primary legislation governing bankruptcy in Scotland - the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 - as well as new laws brought in since, including the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014, which came into force in April 2015.

Business Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Policy officials from Accountant in Bankruptcy have worked with the Scottish Law Commission, which published a consultation paper on consolidating bankruptcy legislation in 2011 and has led the process of drafting the Bill, to bring these proposals before Parliament.

"The consolidation exercise has been warmly received by the money advice and insolvency industry.

“By consolidating all of the various elements of legislation in one place, the Bill will make bankruptcy policy more accessible, both for the money advice community and those experiencing financial difficulties.

The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Bill is only the second ever piece of primary consolidation legislation to pass through the Scottish Parliament, following the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Consolidation Act 2003.

The passing of the Stage 3 motion signals the completion of the parliamentary process and it is anticipated the measure will come into force towards the end of 2016, together with updated accompanying subordinate legislation, subject to receiving Royal Assent.

Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government with responsibility for administering the process of personal bankruptcy, administering the Debt Arrangement Scheme and recording corporate insolvencies in Scotland. www.aib.gov.uk