Legalize
Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987

Type Public General Act
Publication 1987-05-15
Last updated 2025-04-06
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
Source legislation.gov.uk
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API

The sheriff may refuse to make a time to pay order if, on an objection being duly made in pursuance of section 6(6)(a) of this Act, he is satisfied that a direction has been made under section 36(4) of the said Act of 1971 whereby the debt concerned was payable by instalments, but the right to pay by instalments has ceased by reason of failure to pay an instalment.

3

Without prejudice to paragraphs 4 to 6 of this Schedule, a warrant issued before the commencement of Part VI of this Act, for the enforcement by diligence of an obligation to pay money, contained in an extract of a decree of the Court of Session or the sheriff court or of a document which has been registered in the Books of Council and Session or in sheriff court books shall be treated as if it were a warrant contained in such a decree granted after the commencement of that Part.

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

Nothing in this Act shall affect an arrestment of earnings in the hands of an employer which has been executed before the commencement of Part III of this Act nor preclude the bringing of an action of furthcoming in pursuance of such an arrestment or the granting of a decree in any such action.

6

Where an arrestment of a debtor’s earnings in the hands of an employer which has been executed before the commencement of Part III of this Act has effect in relation to earnings payable on the first pay-day occurring after such commencement, the execution of an earnings arrestment or a current maintenance arrestment against earnings payable to the debtor by the employer shall not be competent until after that pay-day.

7
  • (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, a summary warrant granted before the commencement of Schedules 4 and 5 to this Act under or by virtue of any of the enactments to which this paragraph applies shall be deemed to authorise only the following diligences—
  • (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (b) an earnings arrestment; and
  • (c) an arrestment other than an arrestment of the debtor’s earnings in the hands of his employer.
  • (2) If at the commencement of those Schedules diligence executed in pursuance of a warrant referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above is in effect, that diligence shall proceed as if this Act had not been passed.
  • (3) This paragraph applies to the following enactments—
  • (a) section 247 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947;
  • (b) section 63 of the Taxes Management Act 1970;
  • (c) section 33 of the Finance Act 1972;
  • (d) paragraph 16(2) of Schedule 7 to the Finance Act 1972;
  • (e) paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Car Tax Act 1983;
  • (f) paragraph 6 of Schedule 7 to the Value Added Tax Act 1983.
8
  • (1) Where before the commencement of paragraphs 21 and 23 of Schedule 6 to this Act—
  • (a) a warrant has been granted under any of the enactments to which this paragraph applies; and
  • (b) no diligence has been executed in pursuance of the warrant,

the warrant shall cease to have effect.

  • (2) Where before the commencement of the said paragraphs 21 and 23—
  • (a) a warrant has been granted under any of the enactments to which this paragraph applies; and
  • (b) diligence has been executed in pursuance of the warrant,

the diligence shall proceed as if this Act had not been passed.

  • (3) This paragraph applies to the following enactments—
  • (a) section 253 of the Customs and Excise Act 1952;
  • (b) paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 to the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1972;
  • (c) section 117 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979;
  • (d) section 29 of the Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981.
9
  • (1) The provisions of this Act relating to the liability for the expenses of a diligence shall not apply in relation to a diligence to which this paragraph applies.
  • (2) Section 93(1) or (2) of this Act shall not prevent a creditor taking proceedings in court to recover any expenses of a diligence to which this paragraph applies which are chargeable against the debtor.
  • (3) Notwithstanding section 95 of this Act, a diligence to which this paragraph applies shall cease to have effect on payment or tender of the sum due under the decree or other document.
  • (4) This paragraph applies to the following diligences—
  • (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (b) an arrestment and action of furthcoming or sale;

in effect at the commencement of sections 93 and 95 of this Act.

10

Until the commencement of the repeal of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 by Schedule 11 to the Social Security Act 1986 the said Act of 1976 shall have effect as if there were inserted after section 18 of that Act the new section set out in section 68 of this Act with the following modifications—

  • (a) for “25A” there shall be substituted “18A”; and
  • (b) for references to income support there shall be substituted references to supplementary benefit.

SCHEDULE 8

Time to pay directions.

Disposal of application.

The Bank Notes (Scotland) Act 1765 (c. 49.)

The Debtors (Scotland) Act 1838 (c. 114.)

The Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (c. 27.)

The Lyon King of Arms Act 1867 (c.17)

The Court of Session Act 1868 (c. 100)

The Titles to Land Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1868 (c. 101)

The Debtors (Scotland) Act 1880 (c. 34)

The Sea Fisheries Act 1883 (c. 22.)

The Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (c. 60.)

The Execution of Diligence (Scotland) Act 1926 (c. 16)

The Sea Fisheries Act 1968 (c. 77.)

The Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 (c. 60.)

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 (c. 52)

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c. 69)

The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21)

The Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 1976 (c. 21)

The Patents Act 1977 (c. 37)

The Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2)

The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 44)

The Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981 (c. 63)

The British Fishing Boats Act 1983 (c. 8.)

The Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 26.)

The Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 58.)

The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 66)

Editorial notes

1

Act : transfer of functions (19.5.1999), by S.I. 1999/678, art. 2(1), Sch. (with arts. 3, 7)

5

Word in s. 1(5)(f) ceased to have effect (6.4.1999) by virtue of 1998 c. 14, s. 86(1), Sch. 7 para. 12(a); S.I. 1999/526, art. 2(3)(4)(b) and repealed (1.6.1999) by 1998 c. 14, s. 86(2), Sch. 8; S.I. 1999/1510, art. 2(f)(ii)

8

Word in s. 5(4)(f) ceased to have effect (6.4.1999) by virtue of 1998 c. 14, s. 86(1), Sch. 7 para. 12; S.I. 1999/526, art. 2(3)(4) and repealed (1.6.1999) by 1999 c. 14, s. 86(2), Sch. 8; 1999/1510, art. 2(f)(ii)

12

Words in s. 9(3) substituted (30.12.2002) by Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17), s. 61, {Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 17(4(c)(i)} (with s. 63)

26

S. 15(1): definition of "poinding" repealed (30.12.2002) by Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17), s. 61, Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 17(7) (with s. 63)

30

S. 16(2)(r)-(v) inserted (10.7.2000) by S.S.I. 2000/189, reg. 3(2)

32

Part II (ss. 16-45) repealed (30.12.2002) by Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17), s. 58(2)(a) (with ss. 59, 63)

35

Words in s. 54(1)(c) substituted (5.4.1993) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 58(13), Sch. 5 para. 8(4) (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/2644, art.2.

40

S. 70: by Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17), s. 61, Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 17(8) (with s. 63), it is provided (30.12.2002) that: "In section 70(1)(b) (which stipulates the dates on which an earnings arrestment schedule, current maintenance arrestment schedule or conjoined arrestment order may not be served), for "17(1) of this Act" there is substituted "12(1) of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17)"."

46

Words in s. 73(1) (definition of "net earnings", para. (c)) substituted (5.4.1993) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 58(13), Sch. 5 para. 8(6)(a) (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2.

47

In s. 73(1) (definition of "net earnings"), para. (d) added (5.4.1993) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 58(13), Sch. 5 para. 8(6)(b) (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2.

49

Words in s. 73(3) inserted (1.1.1999) by S.I. 1998/3086, reg. 6(2)

51

Words in s. 73(3)(g) substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 18, ss. 240, 243, Sch. 1 para. 31 (with ss. 191-195, 202)

69

Words in s. 103(1) repealed (30.12.2002) by Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp17), s. 61, {Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 17(15)(a)} (with s. 63)

71

S. 103(7)(a)-(j) repealed (30.12.2002) by Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp17), s. 61, {Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 17(15)(b)} (with s. 63)

78

S. 106 (definition of levying authority) repealed (1.4.1993) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 117, Sch. 13 para. 55(a), Sch. 14; S.I. 1993/575, art. 2(c).

89

Word in s. 106 omitted (5.4.1993) by virtue of Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 58(13), Sch. 5 para. 8(7)(a) (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2.

90

In s. 106, word and para. (j) in the definition of "maintenance order" inserted (5.4.1993) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 58(13), Sch. 5 para. 8(7)(b) (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/2644, art. 2.

91

Definition of “summary warrant” in s. 106 substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 151(3); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

93

S. 106: in definition of "summary warrant" para. (cca) inserted (1.4.2002) by Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 3), s. 71(2), Sch. 7 para. 17(3) (with s. 67); S.S.I. 2002/118, art. 2(3)

94

S. 106: definition of "warrant of sale" repealed (30.12.2002) by Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17), s. 61, Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 17(17)

95

Power of appointment conferred by s. 109(2) fully exercised: S.I. 1987/1838, 1988/1818

97

Sch. 4 para. 4 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1994 c. 23, ss. 100(2), 101(1), Sch. 15

103

Para. (d) in definition of “creditor” inserted by Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 47, SIF 81:2), s. 33(d)

104

Sch.5 para. 35(dd) in definition of “creditor” inserted (6.4.1999) by 1998 c. 14, s. 86(1), Sch. 7 para. 14, S.I. 1999/526, art. 2(3)(4)

105

Words in Sch. 5 para. 35(dd) substituted (6.4.1999) by 1999 c. 2, s. 26(2), Sch. 9 para. 2, S.I. 1999/527, art. 2, Sch. 3

106

Sch. 5 para. 35: in the definition of "creditor", subpara. (e) inserted (1.4.1993) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 117(1), Sch. 13 para. 56; S.I. 1993/575, art. 2(c).

107

Sch. 5: Word and (f) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 151(4); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

109

Sch. 6 para. 2 repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. IX Group1.

110

Sch. 6 para. 9 repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. X, Gp. 2

111

Sch. 6 para. 15 repealed (27.5.1997) by 1997 c. 11, ss. 3, 6(2), Sch. 1, Pt. X Gp. 2 (with s. 5, Sch. 3)

145

S. 49A inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 200(3), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(d) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 13, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

146

Ss. 70A-70D inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 203, 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(d) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 12, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

147

S. 95A inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 170, 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(b)(ii) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

148

Sch. 3 para. 4A inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 199(3)(b), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(d) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 13, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

149

Words in s. 1(1) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 210(2)(a)(i), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

150

Words in s. 1(1) substituted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 210(2)(a)(ii), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

151

S. 1(1A) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 210(2)(b), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

152

S. 1(5)(e) repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 209(2)(a), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

153

S. 1(9) repealed (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 209(2)(b), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

154

Words in s. 2(3) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), s. 227(3), sch. 5 para. 16(2)(d) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

155

Words in s. 2(4) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), s. 227(3), sch. 5 para. 16(2)(e)(i) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

156

Words in s. 2(4) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), s. 227(3), sch. 5 para. 16(2)(e)(ii) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

157

Words in s. 3(1)(a) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), s. 227(3), sch. 5 para. 16(3)(a) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

158

Words in s. 3(1)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), s. 227(3), sch. 5 para. 16(3)(b)(i) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

159

Words in s. 3(1)(b) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), s. 227(3), sch. 5 para. 16(3)(b)(ii) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

160

Words in s. 3(2) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), s. 227(3), sch. 5 para. 16(3)(c) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(2)(3), sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

161

Words in s. 5(2) substituted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 210(3)(a), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

162

S. 5(2A) inserted (1.4.2008) by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3), ss. 210(3)(b), 227(3) (with s. 223); S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 4-6, 10, 15) (as amended: (23.2.2009) by S.S.I. 2009/67, art. 7; (31.1.2011) by S.S.I. 2011/31, art. 5(a); and (4.10.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/173, arts. 1(2), 3)

Reading this document does not replace reading the official text published on legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies arising from the conversion of the original CLML XML to this format.

This text is published under legislation.gov.uk's own terms of reuse, not a Legalize or public-domain licence. legislation.gov.uk
Open Government Licence v3.0 (attribution required)
© Crown and database right. Derived from content available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 from legislation.gov.uk.