The number of people in Courier country being taken to court over personal debt has soared in the last year.
New figures from Scotland’s bankruptcy body have revealed that 61,921 debtors in Tayside, Fife and Central have been the subject of court bids in 2013-14 a rise of 21%.
A report by Accountant in Bankruptcy stated that nearly 380,000 people were taken to court in Scotland last year over personal debts.
The rising number of court cases is being put down to increasing use of powers handed to councils to make it easier for them to recover debts with minimal legal costs.
However, experts claim the figures also provide proof that parts of the economy are still struggling to recover from the recession.
The number of court cases has risen by 49% in Lothian and Borders from 76,439 to 88,070.
In Grampian, Highlands and Islands it has risen by 33% from 42,770 to 56,883 and by 15% in Glasgow and Strathkelvin.
Leonie Donald, partner at law firm Aberdein Considine, said: “There has been a large rise in the number of people being taken to court over debts this year, mainly because councils have been more proactive in recovering the money they are due.
“The figures are worrying in that they highlight the difficulties that are being encountered by individuals in paying their council tax, which is an increasing concern for all those involved.
“It is also indicative of an economy still struggling to recover.
“It is also perhaps an indicator that councils are taking a harder line in recovering arrears.”
The figures show a 20% increase in the use of summary warrants by councils over the year.
The summary warrant procedure is a shortened court process available to certain public creditors to pursue the amounts they are owed and is mainly used by local authorities.
It involves an application being made to court by the council in respect of debts due by a number of debtors and for which no hearing is held.
Miss Donald added: “The introduction of these warrants has been welcomed by councils because it means they can take court action to recover debts without having to pay any substantial legal fees.
“However, it is bad news for people in debt because it means councils can move fast to recover the money they are due, whether that be through freezing funds in bank accounts or bankruptcy.”