Can you get an IVA in Scotland?

IVA vs Protected Trust Deed: the honest differences

The family resemblance is real — both are formal, contribution-based arrangements run by an insolvency professional, both protect you from the creditors bound by them, both mark your credit file for six years, and in both the fees come out of what you pay in. The differences matter: a PTD typically runs four years against an IVA’s five to six; protection arises differently (creditors’ failure to object can protect a trust deed, where an IVA needs an approving vote); Scotland’s framework is overseen by the Accountant in Bankruptcy rather than the Insolvency Service; and homeowner treatment, equity handling and failure consequences each have Scottish specifics an adviser should walk through against your figures. The Scotland guide covers the whole landscape.

Why adverts pitch “IVAs” at Scottish searchers anyway

Large firms market UK-wide and route by postcode after you enquire — a Glasgow enquiry about “an IVA” becomes a trust deed conversation on the first call. The switch itself is legitimate; what deserves scrutiny is everything else in the pitch, because trust deed marketing carries the same incentive structure as IVA marketing: the firm earns when the arrangement proceeds. The same counter applies too — Scotland’s free routes, including MAP bankruptcy for low-income, low-asset cases and the Debt Arrangement Scheme for full repayment under protection, cost nothing to enter through a free money adviser, and no advert leads with them.

What if I move between Scotland and England?

Cross-border moves are genuinely adviser territory: which system you can use turns on habitual residence and recent history, and entering the wrong country’s arrangement is an expensive mistake. If a move is recent or planned, say so in the first conversation.

Free advice on trust deeds and every alternative

Citizens Advice Scotland, StepChange Scotland and National Debtline advise across the Scottish routes for nothing.