If you live in Scotland
Ask a Scottish debt adviser which procedures are available where you live. A protected trust deed, the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) and Scottish bankruptcy have different effects on repayment, assets and your public record. Use the Scottish options comparison to prepare questions for the appointment.
How the arrangements differ
| Question | Scottish protected trust deed | Protocol IVA in England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Who administers it? | A licensed insolvency practitioner acts as trustee. Accountant in Bankruptcy oversees protected trust deeds. | A licensed insolvency practitioner supervises the arrangement. |
| How long are payments? | Income contributions usually last at least four years, subject to the terms and applicable exceptions. | Protocol terms generally provide for five or six years of payments. Check the actual proposal. |
| What about my home? | Ask how your interest in the property will be treated and get the answer in writing. | Check how the protocol and your individual proposal deal with property and equity. |
| What if my circumstances change? | Contact the trustee promptly and ask whether the contribution can be reviewed. | Contact the supervisor and ask what the terms allow. |
The comparison uses the published consumer IVA protocol for England and Wales. Other IVA terms and Northern Ireland’s process can differ.
If you have moved or already have an IVA
Tell the adviser where you live, where you recently lived or ran a business, and whether any arrangement is already in place. If you already have an IVA and are moving, contact your supervisor before changing payments or entering another arrangement.
Take a copy of any proposal, a list of debts and your monthly budget to a free debt advice appointment.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked for this guide on 11 November 2026. Follow the original guidance for full detail.
- mygov.scot: trust deeds
- Insolvency Service: key facts about protocol IVAs
- StepChange Scotland: getting a trust deed
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