Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)

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What Is the Debt Arrangement Scheme?

The Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a Scottish Government debt management programme that allows you to repay your debts in full through a Debt Payment Programme (DPP). Whilst on DAS, interest, fees, and charges on your included debts are frozen, meaning every penny you pay reduces the actual debt.

DAS is administered by the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) and is a statutory scheme, meaning creditors who are included in an approved DPP must comply with its terms.

How Does DAS Work?

• You apply through a DAS-approved money adviser (often free through Citizens Advice or a debt charity)
• Your adviser calculates an affordable monthly payment based on your income and outgoings
• A Debt Payment Programme is proposed to your creditors
• If 90% or more of creditors (by value) approve, the DPP is automatically granted. If not, the AiB can grant it on a fair and reasonable basis
• You make a single monthly payment which is distributed to creditors
• Interest and charges are frozen immediately

Key Differences from a Protected Trust Deed

• No debt written off: Under DAS, you repay the full amount owed (minus frozen interest). Under a PTD, remaining debt is written off after 48 months
• No formal insolvency: DAS does not appear on the insolvency register in the same way as a PTD or sequestration, which can matter for some professions
• Flexible duration: DAS runs until all debts are repaid in full. If your income is low and debts are high, this could take many years
• Your home is protected: Unlike a PTD, there is no equity review or potential requirement to release property value

Is DAS Right for You?

DAS is best suited to those who can genuinely repay all their debts given more time and frozen interest. If your total debt is very high relative to your income, the repayment period under DAS could stretch to 10 years or more, which may be considerably longer than a PTD.

If you want debt to be written off and a defined end date, a Protected Trust Deed is likely the stronger option.

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