It is estimated that in the United Kingdom, over four million people have personal solvency problems. It may be due to exceptional problems such as periods of unemployment or “credit card snowballing”. In any event, it usually leads to the individual having sleepless nights and much worry. The problems continues because it has been allowed to continue in that you can borrow from one credit card to pay off another and borrow from banks to consolidate loans, but not actually deal with the principle of the debt.

NOW DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT DEALS WITH YOU!

We are fully authorised and regulated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to help consumers negotiate with their lenders to resolve their debt problems.

Comparison of a Debtor’s Options

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is an alternative to bankruptcy. It is a contract between a debtor and his/her creditors on which creditors will reasonably expect their prospects of recovering monies owed to be at least as good as in bankruptcy. The “proposal” put to creditors will be voted on by them, usually at a creditors meeting. Generally, if 75% or over by value of the creditors who are represented at the meeting vote in favour, the IVA will be approved and creditors will be bound by its terms. Creditors may seek changes (known as modifications) to the proposal but they cannot impose them. However rejecting the proposed changes may mean that the creditor votes against acceptance of the proposal put to them. If the IVA is rejected, bankruptcy may be inevitable.

Pros	Cons
Up to 75% of total debt can be written off and an individual can be debt free in five years or less.	An IVA is usually only available for people with debts over £15,000.
Often there is one single monthly payment.	There is a risk that debtors will agree to pay an amount (usually by way of a monthly payment) that they cannot afford.
All creditor action is stopped and interest and charges will be frozen as part of a legally binding agreement.	There is no guarantee that creditors will agree the proposals (although only 75% by value of creditors voting is needed to approve the IVA).
Under certain circumstances (i.e. the release of equity) there is no need for the debtor to lose his/her home.	Can have an adverse effect on future credit.
Assets can be excluded if creditors agree.	If the debtor does not do as he proposes (eg, keeping up with monthly payments) bankruptcy may follow.
Where appropriate a debtor’s professional status will be unaffected.	Faliure of an IVA can lead to bankruptcy.
It may be possible to continue trading if the debtor operates a business and the debtor can be a director of a limited company. There is a requirement for a company director to resign and be reappointed.	Some IVAs require the debtor to remortgage their property.
It can be perceived that there is less stigma than bankruptcy and the debtor’s privacy is protected.	A remortgage under an IVA may be on less favourable terms.
	The IVA may be extended for a year if the debtor is unable to remortgage their property.

 

You may care to download the guide “The Straightforward Consumer IVA Protocol, 2014 version” by clicking here.

 

Bankruptcy

A bankruptcy order may be obtained by any creditor owed more than £750, or a debtor can petition the Court for their own bankruptcy. The Official Receiver who is a government official, will either then deal with your assets or appoint an Insolvency Practitioner to act as your Trustee in Bankruptcy to deal with your assets instead.

Bankruptcy usually means that your assets will be sold (subject to certain exemptions) and the proceeds are then used to pay your creditors as much as possible. This can include your home (although your Trustee will discuss how this can be avoided possibly for example, by selling your share to any joint owner or to a friend or relative). If you have surplus income over the needs of yourself and your dependants, you will be expected to make contributions to your creditors for up to 3 years.

In most cases, discharge from bankruptcy occurs after 1 year and your creditors cannot make further claims against you. However, if some of your assets remain unsold at the date of your discharge, they will still remain available to your creditors and your Trustee can still sell them.

Pros	Cons
A “non-culpable” first time bankrupt will be discharged after no more than one year from the date of bankruptcy and will be debt free.	The possible loss of the debtor’s home.
A fresh start which protects debtors from their creditors.	The effect on the debtor’s job and, in some circumstances, his ability to secure rental accommodation.
Where the debtor has no capital assets, limited income and is in employment unthreatened by bankruptcy, it may be a better option than an IVA for example.	The stigma of bankruptcy and the publicity afforded by the bankruptcy order.
The process can be very swift when a debtor chooses to present his own petition.	Difficulties in obtaining banking facilities.
	The effect on the bankrupt’s credit rating both during the bankruptcy and thereafter.
	Following discharge the difficulty and increased cost of obtaining a mortgage or other borrowing.

Example

We had a client who had given personal guarantees for his company’s borrowings and had sold most of his personal assets to invest in the company which, unfortunately, failed. We assisted him in petitioning for his own Bankruptcy, as there was no other course of action available. It is now commonly held that Bankruptcy has little stigma associated with it and is a process to alleviate the debtor from his debts. Bankruptcy is a relatively straight-forward and a simple process which we assist clients on. Bankruptcy is a means by which a debtor is relieved from his debts and given a second chance. It is not designed to punish a bankrupt.

Informal arrangements negotiated with creditors

An informal offer of payment based on a pro-rata distribution of available income. This is usually accompanied by a request to freeze interest and must be wholly transparent with full disclosure. It is an informal moratorium against further action by your creditors.

Pros	Cons
May bridge a gap if the debtor feels that he may be able to regain control of his financial position in the short or medium term.	Difficult to reach agreement with all the creditors.  Only one creditor needs to dissent and carry on with proceedings to frustrate the whole scheme.
Possibility of no professional costs.	Unwillingness to freeze interest.
Possible assistance of advice providers such as CAB.	Likelihood of creditors requiring regular review/adjustment of the scheme.

Debt Management Plans (DMP)

A debtor must have at least £100 of net income available and at least three creditors. A single monthly payment is made to a debt management company who then distributes it to the debtor’s creditors. The company negotiates with creditors and may obtain a freeze on interest.

Pros	Cons
One single payment which includes the debt management company’s fees.	Creditors cannot be forced into agreement.  Only one creditor needs to dissent to frustrate the whole scheme.
Lower monthly payments than currently being made and may be lower than in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).	Unwillingness to freeze interest.  As such the plan can go on for a long time and the debt can grow.
Perceived to be a fair and transparent method of distributing payments.	Frequently creditors still require payment in full so no debt forgiveness is involved.
Someone other than the debtor will conduct the negotiations with creditors.	Creditors can change the terms and there is a likelihood of creditors requiring an increased payment if the debtor’s circumstances improve.
	Can have an adverse effect on future credit.

County Court Administration Orders

A debtor must have a County or High Court judgement, owe less than £5,000 in total and have money owing to at least two creditors. On application a County Court order is made whereby a single monthly payment is made into Court. The Court will then distribute it pro rata to creditors.

The Court may make the order for a given period (e.g. three years) using a composition order.

Pros	Cons
One single payment.	Debts must be less than £5,000 so most consumer debtors (those with numerous loans & credit card debts) are excluded.
An application to Court can be made for a reduction of the amount if circumstances worsen.	Creditors can object.
Creditors cannot take further action without Court permission.	If payments are not maintained the order may be revoked.
Perceived to be a fair and transparent method of distributing payments as the administration of the scheme is carried out by the Court.	Payments can be increased if the debtor’s circumstances improve.
No “up front” fee. The Court takes 10p in every £100.	Can have an adverse effect on future credit.

Charitable assistance

There are various Charities and Trusts that exist to help debtors although they are only likely to help in real emergencies.

Pros	Cons
The payment is usually purely charitable and does not require repayment.	The criteria are usually strict and the debtor’s circumstances may not fit.
Credit ratings are unlikely to be affected.	It is unlikely that help will be given with large debts.
	The level of help is unlikely to solve the whole debt problem.

Consolidation Loans

A debtor may apply to a lender for a loan to clear existing debts.  The debtor will have one creditor rather than a large number.

Pros	Cons
One single payment.	It will be difficult to get the best deal if the debtor has a poor credit rating.
The new payment may be lower than the combined existing payments although this may not necessarily be the case.	The lender may want the loan secured so the debtor is converting unsecured into secured debt.
Credit ratings are unlikely to be affected.	Interest will not be frozen and the rate and amount may increase depending on the terms of the loan.
	The new loan is likely to be repayable over a longer term and this is also likely to mean that the interest paid will be higher.
	No debt write-off; repayment will be required in full.
	The temptation for the debtor to retain and use the existing credit cards thereby rejoining the debt spiral.

This is a general guide, is not exhaustive and professional advice should be sought.