Schedule 19: Schedule 4ZB to the Insolvency Act 1986
577.Debtors who are guilty of misconduct that has in some way contributed to their insolvency will be subject to an enforcement regime that encompasses restrictions orders in the same way as bankruptcy. Schedule 19 sets out who may apply for a debt relief restrictions order or undertaking, possible grounds for obtaining one and gives details as to the timing of an application, the duration of the order or undertaking. Such orders may last from 2-15 years and will serve to protect the public from the culpable debtor. Whilst subject to a restrictions order, the debtor will remain subject the same disabilities as those imposed by the original order – for example he will not be able to obtain credit beyond the prescribed amount without disclosing his status.
Section 109: Debt management schemes
578.This section defines “debt management scheme” as used in this Chapter.
579.Subsections (2) to (4) set out conditions that must be met by all schemes that are seeking approval. Schemes must apply only to individual debtors (i.e. not companies or partnerships) who do not have any debts incurred in the course of business. Schemes may be open to all such individuals or to particular categories (as defined by the particular scheme). Schemes must also allow any debtor to whom the scheme applies to ask that a DRP be arranged. Where such a request is made, the scheme operator, (or an authorised person under the scheme), must decide whether a DRP is appropriate for the debtor (in accordance with the terms of the scheme, some of which may be prescribed under section 111), and if so, arrange the plan.
580.Subsection (5) specifies that the operator of an approved scheme must be a body of persons, (for example, a company or a partnership rather than an individual). Therefore it would be possible for a body such as Citizens Advice, or an existing repayment scheme provider such as the Consumer Credit Counselling Service or Payplan, or for a private company, to operate an approved scheme. But it would not be possible for an individual to do so.
Section 110: Debt repayment plans
581.This section defines “debt repayment plan” as used in this Chapter. Subsections (2) to (4) outline conditions that must be satisfied by a plan.
582.Subsection (2) introduces the concept of “qualifying debts” and provides that the plan must specify all of the debtors “qualifying debts“. Section 132 provides that a “qualifying debt” is any debt, except for a debt that is secured against an asset, such as a mortgage, or which cannot, by virtue of the terms of the DMS (i.e. terms set by the scheme operator), be included in the plan. (Regulations under section 111 could have the effect of prescribing other classes of debt that may not be included by any scheme, by making such terms a condition of approval).
583.Subsection (3) requires the plan to provide for full or partial payment of the debts specified in accordance with the plan.
584.Subsection (4) makes it clear that it does not matter if a plan requires different amounts to be paid in respect of a specified debt at different times or the payments are insufficient to satisfy the debt in full. (Section 114 provides that in these circumstances the remainder of the debt would be written off provided that the debtor had complied with the terms of the plan).
Section 111: Approval by supervising authority
585.This section enables a supervising authority (see section 129) to approve DMSs. It also permits the Lord Chancellor to make regulations prescribing both the conditions that must be satisfied for a scheme to be approved and any considerations that the authority must or must not take into account when considering a request for approval. These conditions and considerations may, in particular, relate to any of the matters listed in Schedule 21. These include the constitution, governance, size and financial standing of the scheme operator, and the terms and operation of the DMS. Regulations could, for example, specify minimum levels or periods of repayment.
