Decrees against Scottish consumers fall by 28%

In the first three months of 2019, the number of decrees against Scottish consumers dropped by 28 percent, compared to the same period of 2018, according to figures released by the Registry Trust.

During the first quarter of 2019, 5,253 debt decrees were registered against consumers. There was a 29 percent decrease in the combined value of consumer decrees to £11.9million. The average value of all consumer decrees fell to £2,267, two percent lower than in the same period of 2018, and the median consumer decree increased by nine percent to £1,289.

The number of small claims against consumers fell by 28 percent in Q1 2019 to 4,857, with the total value down 24 percent on Q1 2018’s figures to £7.4million. The average value increased by five percent to £1,520, and the median value rose by 11 percent to £1,201.

Ordinary cause decrees against consumers in the first quarter of 2019 dropped by 23 percent to 396, compared to the same period the previous year, while the total and average values fell to all time first quarter lows of £4.5million and £11,437 respectively. The median value at £8,655 rose four percent from Q1 2018 figures.

Only 4.39 percent of decrees were marked as satisfied during the first quarter of 2019, less than half the 10.52 percent of satisfied debt judgments in England and Wales, where satisfaction rates are generally higher owing to legal differences. This suggests advice agencies in Scotland should encourage clients to report when they have satisfied a debt.

Trust chairman Malcolm Hurlston CBE said “These figures show a Scottish economy in robust health despite headwinds. The absence of judgments makes it easier to borrow responsibly – an important element to a strong economy.”

A decree is incontrovertible proof that debt has not been managed.

Consumer statistics

	Q1 2018	Q1 2019	Change (compared with Q1 2018)
All consumer decrees
volume	7,259	5,253	-28%
total value	£16.8m	£11.9m	-29%
Average* value	£2,312	£2,267	-2%
median	£1,179	£1,289	+9%
Small claims and summary cause decrees
volume	6,747	4,857	-28%
total value	£9.7m	£7.4m	-24%
Average* value	£1,446	£1,520	+5%
median	£1,082	£1,201	+11%
Ordinary cause decrees
volume	512	396	-23%
total value	£7.0m	£4.5m [record low]	-36%
Average* value	£13,724	£11,437 [record low]	-17%
median	£8,319	£8,655	+4%

* Average value refers to the ‘mean’. The mean average tends to be higher than the median, as it is more likely to be distorted by outlying, high value cases.