Newlyn appoints new Managing Director

19th December 2018 Appointments |

Enforcement specialist Newlyn has announced the appointment of Paul Sharpe as its new Managing Director. Sharpe will join the Newlyn team in January 2019. Sharpe is a highly experienced figure who, since 1985, has worked within the enforcement industry; firstly with John Crilley and Son and latterly with Equita, where he held the position of…

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FCA introduces new rules for claims management companies

17th December 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published new rules and fees that will apply to all claims management companies (CMCs) from April 2019. That’s when the FCA takes over responsibility for regulating the firms, which help thousands of people every year. From next April, all CMCs set up or serving customers in England, Scotland and Wales will…

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MAS launches ‘progressive’ council tax recovery guidance

4th December 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Money Advice Service (MAS) has launched new guidance which they say will assist Local Authorities to take a more progressive approach to the recovery of Council Tax, encouraging improved resident engagement, fairer outcomes and sustainable arrears repayments. Across the UK, the number of overindebted people is approximately 8.3 million. Furthermore, a third of people…

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MOJ calls for evidence to review enforcement reforms

26th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has announced a call for evidence to review of enforcement agent (bailiff) reforms. The call for evidence asks about people’s experiences of the 2014 reforms which regulate how enforcement agents (bailiffs) operate and to end what it calls intimidating practices and to better protect vulnerable people. The consultation has been…

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Over three quarters of scottish council Universal Credit tenants are in rent arrears

26th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

More than 80 percent of North Ayrshire Council tenants on Universal Credit are in rent arrears. Responding to the news the local authority’s leader has branded the welfare policy a ‘tragedy’. Labour Council Leader Joe Cullinane said Universal Credit was pushing families into debt, which could lead to a sharp rise in poverty, hardship and anxiety. Since…

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Fewer judgements in Jersey

21st November 2018 Consumer Collections |

The number of debt judgments in Jersey fell by almost a third during the third quarter of the year compared to the same period of 2017, according to figures released today by Registry Trust. However the average value of judgments increased by 84 percent compared to the third quarter of last year. In Q3 2018,…

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Debt judgements in Northern Ireland at record low

21st November 2018 Consumer Collections |

The total number of defaults and small claims judgments issued in Northern Ireland during the third quarter of the year was 1,711, a historic low for any quarter, according to figures released today by Registry Trust. In the third quarter of 2018, the number of small claims judgments fell by 22 percent and the average…

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Consumer CCJ value hits record low

16th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

The average value of a consumer county court judgment (CCJ) reached a historic low during the third quarter of 2018, according to new figures released by Registry Trust. The fall in average value was accompanied by a fall in number to 276,097, down 13 percent compared with the same quarter of the previous year. The…

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Irish business debt judgements fall to historic low

15th November 2018 Enforcement |

The number of business debt judgments registered in the Republic of Ireland during the third quarter of 2018 fell to the lowest levels on record for any third quarter, according to figures released today by Registry Trust. In Q3 2018, 137 business judgments were issued, 10 percent fewer than Q3 of last year and the…

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Scottish consumer debt sees 6% rise

14th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

The number of debt decrees registered against Scottish consumers rose by six percent more than in the third quarter of 2017. During Q3 2018, 5,668 debt decrees were registered against Scottish consumers. A further one percent increase on last year’s historic Q3 high in the average value of small claims and summary cause decrees set a…

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CIVEA responds to charities call for action on bailiff regulation

13th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

Rule-breaking bailiffs are causing people increased stress, anxiety and financial hardship, according to new research published today by Citizens Advice and StepChange. The charities are calling for the government to step in and regulate the industry to prevent more people suffering at the hands of debt collectors who flout the rules. New figures reveal that…

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One in five consumers would never inform a partner of their debt situation

6th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

Almost one-fifth of consumers (19%) would never inform a partner of their debt situation, according to new research by Equifax. The survey conducted online with Gorkana, found those aged 65 and over (29%) are almost twice as likely as those aged 18-24 and 35-44 (both 12%) not to reveal their debt to their significant other.…

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Bristow & Sutor forms advisory panel

30th October 2018 Enforcement |

Enforcement agency Bristow & Sutor (B&S) has announced the formation of a new Independent Advisory Panel, to be chaired by Anthony Sharp of Anthony Sharp Associates. The industry-wide consultancy has been launched to discuss all matters relating to credit and debt collection. The new Panel consists of experienced individuals drawn from the debt advice, regulatory and creditor sectors…

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