Scott & Co Scotland: Sheriff Officers, Your Rights and How to Stop Them

Scott & Co (Scotland) LLP is not just a debt collection agency—they’re the largest employer of Sheriff Officers and Messengers-at-Arms in Scotland. This is the critical difference. Unlike English debt collectors who can only send letters and make phone calls, Scott & Co employs court-commissioned officers with real enforcement powers including earnings arrestment (taking money from your wages), bank arrestment (freezing your bank account), and attachment (seizing goods).

Since May 2015, Scott & Co has been part of the Marston Group, the largest judicial services group in the UK. They service almost all Scottish local authorities for council tax collection and have officers commissioned in every Sheriffdom and Sheriff Court District across Scotland.

Here’s what matters most: Scott & Co operates in two distinct roles. When acting as debt collectors, they’re regulated by the FCA like any other agency. When acting as Sheriff Officers, they’re court-commissioned officers regulated by SMASO with legal powers to enforce court orders.

If you owe £5,000+ across multiple debts, a Protected Trust Deed (Scotland’s equivalent of an IVA) can stop Scott & Co immediately and write off the remaining debt after 48 months.

Quick answers

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Are Scott & Co legitimate? Yes. Founded in 1992, part of Marston Group since 2015. FCA authorised through A F Scott and Company (Hoteliers) Limited (SC062684). Sheriff Officers are commissioned by Scottish courts and regulated by SMASO.

Can Scott & Co freeze my bank account? Yes, through bank arrestment if they have a summary warrant or decree. They must serve a Charge for Payment first, then can freeze your account. A Protected Minimum Balance (around £1,000) must be left for essential living costs.

Can a Protected Trust Deed stop Scott & Co? Yes. Once your Trust Deed is protected, Scott & Co must stop all enforcement action (diligence). All interest and charges freeze. You make affordable monthly payments for 48 months, then remaining debt is written off.

Table of Contents

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• Who are Scott & Co?
• Why is Scott & Co contacting me?
• The dual role: debt collectors vs Sheriff Officers
• Council tax recovery timeline
• Scottish enforcement powers: diligence
• Rights during a Sheriff Officer visit
• Prescription: when debts become unenforceable
• Should you ignore Scott & Co?
• Scottish debt solutions
• How to stop Scott & Co with a Protected Trust Deed
• How to complain about Scott & Co
• Scott & Co contact details
• Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Scott & Co?

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Scott & Co (Scotland) LLP (Company Registration SO305258) is the largest employer of Sheriff Officers and Messengers-at-Arms in Scotland. Founded in 1992, the firm became part of the Marston Group on 31 May 2015, gaining the resources of the UK’s largest judicial services group while maintaining its specialized focus on Scottish enforcement.

Corporate structure:

• Registered name: Scott & Co (Scotland) LLP
• Company registration: SO305258
• Registered office: 279 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JL
• Debt collection trading name: A F Scott and Company (Hoteliers) Limited
• Debt collection registration: SC062684
• Phone: 0333 320 6871
• Complaints email: complaints@scottandco.uk.com

Scale of operations:

• 13 centres and 7 operational hubs across Scotland
• Officers commissioned in every Sheriffdom and Sheriff Court District
• Services almost all Scottish local authorities for council tax collection
• Largest employer of Sheriff Officers in Scotland

What makes Scott & Co different:

Most debt collection agencies in Scotland can only write letters and make phone calls. Scott & Co has two distinct operational arms:

1. Private debt collection: Regulated by the FCA, same powers as any other debt collector
2. Court-commissioned enforcement: Sheriff Officers with legal powers to execute court orders

This dual role means ignoring Scott & Co is more dangerous than ignoring a standard debt collector. They don’t need to instruct external enforcement agents—they are the enforcement agents.

Why is Scott & Co contacting me?

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If you’ve received a letter from Scott & Co, the most likely reason is council tax arrears.

Scott & Co services almost all Scottish local authorities for the recovery of:

• Council tax arrears (their primary business)
• Non-domestic rates (business rates)
• Benefit overpayments (DWP)
• Housing association rent arrears
• Social care charges

They also collect private sector debts including:

• Bank and credit card debts
• Utility arrears
• Phone and broadband debts
• Catalogue debts

Why you might not recognise Scott & Co’s name:

You fell behind on council tax. Your council sent reminders. You ignored them or couldn’t pay. The council applied to the Sheriff Court for a summary warrant. The debt was passed to Scott & Co with a 10% surcharge added. Now Scott & Co writes to you claiming you owe money to “Scott & Co (Scotland) LLP on behalf of [Council Name]”.

Check the original creditor:

Every Scott & Co letter should state who they’re collecting for. Look for:

• “Our client: [Council/Company Name]”
• “Account reference: [Original account number]”

If you’ve never heard of the creditor, or if you believe you don’t owe the debt, you have the right to dispute it and request proof.

The dual role: debt collectors vs Sheriff Officers

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Understanding Scott & Co’s dual role is critical to knowing your rights and their powers.

When acting as debt collectors:

• Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Must comply with CONC rules on fair treatment
• Can write letters, make phone calls, visit your home
• Cannot force entry, seize goods, or freeze accounts
• Complaints go to FCA/Financial Ombudsman Service

When acting as Sheriff Officers:

• Commissioned by Scottish courts
• Regulated by Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers (SMASO)
• Can execute court orders (diligence)
• Can freeze bank accounts, arrest earnings, attach goods
• Complaints go to SMASO or the commissioning Sheriff Clerk

The distinction matters because if Scott & Co contacts you as a debt collector, your rights are the same as with any agency. But if they’re acting as Sheriff Officers executing a court order, they have real legal powers.

Council tax recovery timeline

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Council tax is Scott & Co’s bread and butter. Here’s exactly how the process works from missed payment to enforcement.

Stage 1: Missed payment

• You miss a council tax instalment
• Council sends a reminder giving 7 days to pay the missed amount
• If you pay within 7 days, you can continue paying in instalments

Stage 2: Second reminder

• You ignore the first reminder or miss another payment
• Council sends final reminder giving 14 days
• Critical point: If you don’t pay within 14 days, you lose the right to pay in instalments
• The full year’s council tax becomes due immediately

Stage 3: Summary warrant

• Council applies to Sheriff Court for a summary warrant
• This is granted automatically without a hearing
• You don’t get to defend it or explain your circumstances
• A 10% surcharge is added to the debt (e.g., £1,000 debt becomes £1,100)

Stage 4: Debt passed to Scott & Co

• Council passes the debt to Scott & Co to collect
• Scott & Co sends letters and makes phone calls
• This is the debt collection phase—they’re asking for payment

Stage 5: Charge for Payment

• If you don’t pay or arrange a payment plan, Scott & Co (as Sheriff Officers) will serve a Charge for Payment
• This is a formal legal demand delivered by a Sheriff Officer
• You have 14 days to pay in full or make arrangements
• The Charge for Payment must be accompanied by a Debt Advice and Information Package (DAIP)

Stage 6: Enforcement (diligence)

• After 14 days, if you haven’t paid, Scott & Co can execute diligence
• This means earnings arrestment, bank arrestment, or attachment of goods
• This is where their real enforcement powers begin

The 10% surcharge:

Many people don’t realise that once a summary warrant is granted, the council adds 10% to the debt. If you owed £1,200 in council tax, it becomes £1,320 after the warrant. This 10% is a statutory charge—it’s not negotiable.

Can you stop a summary warrant?

Summary warrants are granted automatically. You can’t defend them at court because there’s no hearing. The only way to stop a summary warrant is to pay the council tax before the warrant is granted, or to enter a Scottish debt solution like the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

Scottish enforcement powers: diligence

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“Diligence” is the Scottish legal term for debt enforcement. Once Scott & Co has a summary warrant or decree and has served a Charge for Payment, they can execute several types of diligence.

1. Earnings arrestment

Scott & Co contacts your employer directly. Your employer is legally required to make deductions from your wages and send the money to Scott & Co.

How much can they take?

Earnings arrestments have protected amounts based on your net weekly or monthly income. These are set by law to ensure you keep enough for essential living costs.

Example protected deductions (approximate, check current rates):

• Net monthly income £440 or less: No deduction allowed
• Net monthly income £440-£600: Deductions start at small amounts (£17/month)
• Net monthly income £1,500: Around £103/month
• Net monthly income £2,500+: Around £243/month

Can you stop an earnings arrestment?

Yes. A Debt Arrangement Scheme or Protected Trust Deed will stop earnings arrestments immediately. You can also apply to the Sheriff Court to recall the arrestment if it’s causing exceptional hardship.

2. Bank arrestment

Scott & Co serves a “schedule of arrestment” to your bank or building society. The bank freezes funds in your account up to the debt amount.

Protected Minimum Balance (PMB):

Banks must leave a Protected Minimum Balance of approximately £1,000 in your account (for individuals). This ensures you can still afford essential living costs like food, heating, and rent.

How long does the freeze last?

The bank holds the funds for 14 weeks, then releases them to Scott & Co unless you successfully challenge the arrestment. You can apply to the Sheriff Court to recall a bank arrestment if it causes exceptional hardship.

Can they arrest multiple accounts?

Yes. If you have accounts at different banks, Scott & Co can arrest all of them. But each arrest is subject to the Protected Minimum Balance.

3. Attachment

Attachment is the seizure of movable property. There are two types:

Standard attachment (goods outside the home):

• Vehicles parked on public roads or your driveway
• Garden tools, furniture, bicycles kept outside
• Goods in garages, sheds, or outbuildings

Scott & Co can seize these items and sell them to pay the debt.

Exceptional attachment (goods inside the home):

• Requires a specific court order called an Exceptional Attachment Order
• Only granted as a last resort
• Allows seizure of non-essential items from inside your home (e.g., TVs, computers, jewellery)
• Essential items (cooker, fridge, beds, basic furniture) are protected

How attachment works:

1. Sheriff Officer visits and identifies items to be attached
2. Items are “reported” (listed in a formal report)
3. After 14 days, if the debt remains unpaid, items can be removed and sold at auction

What they can’t take:

• Essential household items (cooker, fridge, washing machine, beds, basic furniture)
• Tools of the trade needed for your work (up to £1,000 value)
• Items needed for education or caring for a disabled person
• Items on hire purchase (they don’t belong to you)

4. Inhibition

An inhibition is a legal block on the sale or transfer of land or property. It’s recorded in the Register of Inhibitions.

If you own a house, Scott & Co can register an inhibition. This doesn’t force you to sell, but it means you can’t sell or remortgage without paying off the debt first.

Inhibitions are expensive to register, so Scott & Co typically only uses them for large debts (£3,000+).

5. Money attachment

This is the seizure of cash from business premises (e.g., from a shop till or pub cash register). It’s rare and only applies if you run a business.

Rights during a Sheriff Officer visit

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One of the most stressful aspects of dealing with Scott & Co is the prospect of a Sheriff Officer visiting your home. Here’s what they can and can’t do.

What Sheriff Officers CAN do:

• Knock on your door and ask to speak to you
• Show you their red identity booklet and court warrant
• Explain the debt and enforcement action
• Offer to discuss payment arrangements
• Enter your home if you invite them in
• Enter through an unlocked door (this counts as “peaceful entry”)
• Enter garages, sheds, and outbuildings without your permission

What Sheriff Officers CANNOT do:

• Force entry into your private home without an Exceptional Attachment Order
• Enter if only children under 16 are present
• Break windows or locks to gain entry (unless they have an Exceptional Attachment Order)
• Remove goods on the first visit (they must “report” items first, then return after 14 days)
• Take essential household items (cooker, fridge, beds, basic furniture)
• Threaten you or use aggressive language
• Discuss your debt with neighbors or family members

Your rights during a visit:

1. Ask for identification: Sheriff Officers must carry a red identity booklet. Ask to see it.
2. Ask to see the warrant: They must show you the court order (summary warrant or decree) they’re acting under.
3. You can refuse entry: You don’t have to let them in. You can speak through a closed door or window.
4. Request written communication: You can ask them to leave and say you only want to deal with matters in writing.
5. Don’t sign anything under pressure: If they ask you to sign a document, read it carefully first. You can refuse to sign.

If a Sheriff Officer enters your home:

• Stay calm and polite
• Don’t obstruct them, but don’t help them
• Take photos or videos if they’re seizing goods (this can be evidence if you complain)
• Make notes of what was said and done
• Ask for a receipt for any goods taken

Can you call the police?

If a Sheriff Officer is acting legally (executing a valid court order), the police won’t intervene. But if the officer is threatening, aggressive, or trying to force entry without an Exceptional Attachment Order, you can call the police and report a potential breach of the peace.

Prescription: when debts become unenforceable

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Prescription is the Scottish equivalent of “statute barred” in England. It’s governed by the Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973.

The 5-year rule (most unsecured debts):

For most unsecured debts—personal loans, credit cards, phone bills, catalogue debts—the prescriptive period is 5 years.

If neither the creditor nor Scott & Co has:

• Taken court action, OR
• Received a payment from you, OR
• Received a written acknowledgment from you

…within 5 years, the debt is extinguished. This is stronger than in England—the debt doesn’t just become unenforceable, it ceases to exist legally.

The 20-year rule (council tax and registered debts):

For council tax with a summary warrant and debts registered with a decree, the prescriptive period is 20 years.

This is why you might get letters from Scott & Co about council tax from the 1990s or early 2000s. If the council obtained a summary warrant in 2005, they can pursue the debt until 2025.

Important: Each payment or enforcement action resets the 20-year clock. If Scott & Co executes a bank arrestment in 2020 for a 2005 debt, the 20 years starts again from 2020.

8% judicial interest:

Debts with a summary warrant or decree accrue interest at 8% per year. This is why old council tax debts can grow significantly.

Example: £1,000 council tax debt from 2010 with 8% interest per year = £2,158 by 2026.

How to check if your debt is prescribed:

1. When did you last make a payment?
2. When did you last acknowledge the debt in writing?
3. Has Scott & Co or the creditor taken court action within 5 years (or 20 years for council tax)?

If the answer is “no” to all three, and more than 5 years (or 20 years for council tax) have passed, the debt may be prescribed.

Warning: Don’t reset the clock accidentally:

If Scott & Co contacts you about an old debt and you:

• Make any payment (even £1)
• Acknowledge the debt in writing (“yes, I owe this”)
• Sign a payment arrangement

The prescriptive period resets and the debt is no longer prescribed.

If you think the debt is prescribed:

Write to Scott & Co:

“I believe this debt is prescribed under the Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973.

I last made a payment or acknowledged this debt on [date or “more than 5 years ago”].

Under Scots law, the debt is extinguished. Please confirm in writing that you will cease all collection activity and remove this debt from my credit file.”

Do not make a payment or sign anything.

Should you ignore Scott & Co?

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No. Ignoring Scott & Co is more dangerous in Scotland than ignoring a debt collector in England.

Here’s why:

Scott & Co has real enforcement powers. Unlike English debt collectors who need to go to court, instruct solicitors, and then hire bailiffs, Scott & Co employs Sheriff Officers who can execute diligence immediately once they have a summary warrant and have served a Charge for Payment.

What happens if you ignore them:

Month 1-2: Letters from Scott & Co as debt collectors. Debt amount = council tax arrears + 10% surcharge.

Month 3: Charge for Payment served by Sheriff Officer. You have 14 days. Debt amount = same.

Month 4: Earnings arrestment. Scott & Co contacts your employer. Deductions start from your next payslip. Debt amount = same + Sheriff Officer fees (£50-£100).

Month 5: Bank arrestment. Scott & Co freezes your bank account (minus Protected Minimum Balance). Debt amount = same + additional Sheriff Officer fees.

Month 6+: Attachment. Sheriff Officer visits to “report” goods. After 14 days, goods can be removed and sold at auction.

It’s cheaper and less stressful to engage early. Even if you can’t afford to pay in full, you can:

• Request proof of the debt
• Check if it’s prescribed
• Dispute the debt if it’s wrong
• Offer a payment arrangement
• Enter a Debt Arrangement Scheme to stop diligence

Scottish debt solutions

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Scotland has its own debt solutions. IVAs don’t exist in Scotland. If you’re reading advice about IVAs, it doesn’t apply to you.

1. Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)

The DAS is a Scottish government-backed scheme that lets you repay your debts in full through one affordable monthly payment.

How it works:

• You apply through an approved money advisor (free charities like StepChange or Christians Against Poverty)
• They calculate what you can afford to pay each month based on your income and essential expenses
• They create a Debt Payment Programme (DPP)
• Your creditors vote on the proposal—they need 50% approval

Once approved:

• Scott & Co must stop all diligence (earnings arrestments, bank arrestments, attachment)
• All interest, fees, and charges are frozen
• You make one affordable monthly payment to the DAS administrator
• They distribute it to your creditors

Who qualifies:

• You must live in Scotland
• You must have at least £1,000 in debt
• You must have regular income (employed, self-employed, or benefits)
• You must be able to afford at least £5-10/month

Advantages:

• Stops Scott & Co immediately
• Freezes interest and charges
• No debt write-off (you pay 100%), so less credit damage than bankruptcy
• Protected from creditor action

Disadvantages:

• You must repay the full balance (no write-off)
• Can take many years to complete
• Stays on your credit file for 6 years
• If you miss payments, the DAS can fail

2. Protected Trust Deed (PTD)

A Protected Trust Deed is Scotland’s equivalent of an IVA. It’s a formal agreement to repay what you can afford over 48 months, then the remaining debt is written off.

How it works:

• You appoint an insolvency practitioner (IP) as your trustee
• The trustee prepares a proposal: you pay £X per month for 48 months
• Creditors have 5 weeks to object—if fewer than 33% (by debt value) object or 50% (by number of creditors) object, the Trust Deed becomes “protected”
• You make monthly payments for 48 months
• At the end, remaining debt is written off

Who qualifies:

• You must live in Scotland
• You typically need £5,000+ in unsecured debt
• You must have regular income
• You must be able to afford at least £100/month (varies by provider)

What happens to your home:

• If you own a home with equity, you may be asked to remortgage in year 3 to release equity for creditors
• If you can’t remortgage (most people can’t due to credit damage), the Trust Deed extends by 12 months to 60 months total

Advantages:

• Remaining debt is written off after 48-60 months
• Stops Scott & Co immediately
• Freezes interest and charges
• You keep your home (though equity may be required)

Disadvantages:

• Affects credit file for 6 years
• May need to release equity from property
• If you miss payments, the Trust Deed can fail and you could be made bankrupt
• Fees come out of your monthly payments (around 20-25% of total payments)

3. Minimal Asset Process (MAP) Bankruptcy

MAP is a simplified form of bankruptcy for people on low incomes with few assets.

Who qualifies:

• Total debts between £1,500 and £17,000
• No home ownership
• Assets worth less than £2,000
• Surplus income less than £75/month after essential expenses

How it works:

• You apply to the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB)
• If approved, you’re discharged after 6 months
• All debt is written off
• No monthly payments (unless you have surplus income)

Advantages:

• Fastest route to debt-free (6 months)
• No fees if you qualify for low income exemption
• No monthly payments in most cases

Disadvantages:

• Very strict asset and income limits
• Stays on credit file for 6 years
• Affects professional roles (accountants, solicitors, insolvency practitioners)
• You can’t be a company director

4. Statutory Moratorium

A moratorium provides 6 months of legal protection from Scott & Co and other creditors. It’s designed to give you breathing space to seek advice and decide on a long-term solution.

How it works:

• You apply through an approved money advisor
• Once granted, creditors cannot:
  • Start or continue diligence
  • Contact you directly
  • Take court action
• You have 6 months to get advice and arrange a debt solution

Who qualifies:

• You must live in Scotland
• You must not be involved in another formal debt solution
• Debts must be primarily unsecured

Advantages:

• Free to apply
• Immediate protection from Scott & Co
• Buys time to get advice

Disadvantages:

• Only lasts 6 months
• Interest and charges continue to accrue
• You must use the time to arrange a permanent solution

5. Full Sequestration

Sequestration is the Scottish term for bankruptcy. It’s the last resort when other solutions aren’t suitable.

Who qualifies:

• Total debts of at least £3,000
• You must be “apparently insolvent” (unable to pay your debts)
• You must live in Scotland (or have lived here in the past year)

How it works:

• You apply to the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) or petition the Sheriff Court
• A trustee is appointed to manage your assets
• Non-essential assets are sold to pay creditors
• You’re discharged after 12 months (usually)

Advantages:

• All unsecured debt is written off
• Stops Scott & Co immediately
• Discharge usually after 12 months

Disadvantages:

• Severe credit damage (stays on file for 6 years)
• May lose your home if you have equity
• Professional restrictions (can’t be a company director, accountant, or solicitor)
• Publicly recorded in the Edinburgh Gazette

How to stop Scott & Co with a Protected Trust Deed

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A Protected Trust Deed is Scotland’s most popular debt solution for people with £5,000+ in unsecured debt who can afford monthly payments.

Why a Trust Deed stops Scott & Co:

Once your Trust Deed is protected, all creditors—including Scott & Co—must:

• Stop all diligence (earnings arrestments, bank arrestments, attachment)
• Stop contacting you directly
• Freeze interest and charges
• Accept the monthly payment your trustee distributes

Scott & Co cannot refuse to comply with a protected Trust Deed. It’s a legal order under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016.

What debts can you include?

All unsecured debts Scott & Co collects are includable:

• Council tax arrears
• Benefit overpayments
• Bank and credit card debts
• Utility arrears
• Phone and broadband debts
• Housing association rent arrears
• Catalogue debts

To qualify for a Trust Deed, you typically need:

• £5,000+ in unsecured debt
• At least 2 creditors
• Regular income (employed, self-employed, or benefits)
• Spare income after essential bills (usually £100/month minimum)

Note: Trust Deeds are only available in Scotland. If you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, the equivalent is an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA). Read our guide: What Is an IVA?

Alternative: Debt Arrangement Scheme

If you can afford to repay your debts in full but need protection from Scott & Co, the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a government-backed scheme that freezes interest and stops diligence while you repay in full over a longer period.

How to complain about Scott & Co

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Because Scott & Co operates in two roles (debt collector and Sheriff Officer), there are different complaint routes depending on what they’ve done wrong.

For debt collection complaints:

If Scott & Co is contacting you as a debt collector (letters, phone calls, field visits) and you believe they’ve breached FCA rules:

Step 1: Complain to Scott & Co directly

Write to: Scott & Co (Scotland) LLP 279 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4JL

Email: complaints@scottandco.uk.com

Include:

• Your reference number
• Dates of the issue
• What happened
• What you want (apology, stop contact, etc.)

Scott & Co has 8 weeks to respond.

Step 2: Financial Ombudsman Service

If Scott & Co doesn’t respond or you’re not satisfied, escalate to the FOS:

• Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
• Phone: 0800 023 4567

The FOS is free and independent. They can order Scott & Co to:

• Apologise
• Pay compensation
• Remove incorrect information from credit files

For Sheriff Officer conduct complaints:

If Scott & Co’s Sheriff Officers have acted improperly while executing diligence (forced entry without authority, seized essential goods, threatened you):

Step 1: Complain to Scott & Co

Use the same contact details above.

Step 2: Complain to SMASO

If not resolved, complain to: Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers (SMASO) Website: www.smaso.org

SMASO regulates Sheriff Officers and can investigate professional misconduct.

Step 3: Complain to the Sheriff Clerk

You can also complain to the Sheriff Clerk who commissioned the officer. Contact the Sheriff Court that granted the summary warrant or decree.

For serious misconduct:

If a Sheriff Officer has committed a criminal offence (assault, theft, fraud), report to Police Scotland.

Scott & Co contact details

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Registered office: Scott & Co (Scotland) LLP 279 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4JL

Company registration: SO305258 Debt collection company: A F Scott and Company (Hoteliers) Limited Debt collection registration: SC062684

Phone: 0333 320 6871 Complaints email: complaints@scottandco.uk.com

Operational centres: Scott & Co operates 13 centres and 7 operational hubs across Scotland, with officers commissioned in every Sheriffdom.

Part of Marston Group: Since May 2015, Scott & Co has been part of the Marston Group, the UK’s largest judicial services group.

Regulatory status:

• FCA authorised through A F Scott and Company (Hoteliers) Limited
• Sheriff Officers commissioned by Scottish courts
• Regulated by Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers (SMASO)

If you’re struggling with debt in Scotland and want to find out what options are available, speak to a free debt charity like StepChange or Christians Against Poverty. They can help you access the Debt Arrangement Scheme or a Protected Trust Deed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is Scott & Co legitimate?

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Yes. Scott & Co (Scotland) LLP was founded in 1992 and has been part of the Marston Group since May 2015. They’re FCA authorised through A F Scott and Company (Hoteliers) Limited (SC062684) and employ Sheriff Officers commissioned by Scottish courts and regulated by SMASO.

Can Scott & Co send bailiffs?

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Bailiffs don’t exist in Scotland. Scott & Co employs Sheriff Officers who have court-granted enforcement powers including earnings arrestment, bank arrestment, and attachment of goods. This is stronger than English bailiffs in some respects.

Can Scott & Co freeze my bank account?

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Yes, through bank arrestment if they have a summary warrant or decree and have served a Charge for Payment. They must leave a Protected Minimum Balance of approximately £1,000 to cover essential living costs.

Can Scott & Co take money from my wages?

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Yes, through earnings arrestment. Your employer is legally required to make deductions. There are protected amounts to ensure you keep enough for essential living costs based on your income level.

How long can Scott & Co chase council tax debt?

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20 years from the date of the summary warrant. Each payment or enforcement action resets the 20-year clock. The debt also accrues 8% judicial interest per year, so old debts can grow significantly.

Is my debt prescribed (statute barred) in Scotland?

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Most unsecured debts prescribe after 5 years with no payment or acknowledgment under the Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. But council tax with a summary warrant has a 20-year prescriptive period. Prescribed debts are extinguished—they no longer exist.

What is the Debt Arrangement Scheme?

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A Scottish government scheme that lets you repay debts in full through one affordable monthly payment. Once approved, Scott & Co must stop all enforcement action (diligence) and interest is frozen. You pay back 100% of the debt but over a longer, manageable period.

How do I complain about Scott & Co?

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For debt collection complaints, complain to Scott & Co first, then Financial Ombudsman Service after 8 weeks. For Sheriff Officer conduct complaints, complain to SMASO (Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers) or the local Sheriff Clerk who commissioned the officer.

If you’re dealing with Scott & Co in Scotland and have £5,000+ in debt, a Protected Trust Deed could stop them immediately and write off remaining debt after 48 months. Speak to a free debt charity for advice on Scottish debt solutions.

For readers in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, the equivalent solution is an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA). Check if you qualify for an IVA