Borrowers need to be present in Court to adjourn Repossession Orders, says APIP Chairman

APIP Chairman continues to engage with the Government to overhaul the Insolvency System

As the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) prepares to place representatives in the insolvency courts to review the current system, the Association of Personal Insolvency Practitioners (APIP) is urging borrowers to attend hearings in an effort to keep their homes.  Each person, whose house is being repossessed, is entitled to representation from a PIP.  In continued efforts to overhaul the current insolvency system, this week, the Chairman of APIP, Eric Hendy is meeting Labour Party T.D., Willie Penrose and Regina Doherty, Fine Gael T.D for Meath East.  A meeting with the Tánaiste, Joan Burton, T.D., is scheduled in Dáil Éireann next Wednesday (6th May 2015). 

Commenting on repossession hearings, Eric Hendy, Chairman of APIP, said; “If a borrower attends court in a repossession case, under the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2013, he may request to have the proceedings adjourned to give him time to appoint a PIP.  The PIP will then prepare a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) in the hope of keeping the family home.  Many borrowers are not giving themselves this option as they are not present at the repossession hearings.  In their absence, repossession orders are being granted – to the benefit of the bank.  At a minimum, we advise anyone who is facing repossession to attend court.  We are working with the ISI to communicate this to debtors.”

On behalf of APIP members and clients, Chairman Eric Hendy is working towards changing the banks’ power to veto deals by meeting members of the government bodies and various departments.  APIP are also taking steps to streamline the mortgage-to-rent scheme; this week, Eric Hendy is meeting Regina Doherty, Fine Gael T.D for Meath East, to progress the initiative.  “A radical overhaul of the current system is needed to incentivise the banks to cooperate with the insolvency system.  APIP are against the provision of state support to the banks in the form of mortgage top-ups or interest supplements.  I am of the belief that an oversight body will not solve the problem as it is too easy for creditors to work around.” continued APIP Chairman, Eric Hendy.

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For further media information and/or to arrange an interview with Eric Hendy, Chairman of AIP, contact Orla Clancy, Media Consultant, at orla@ocpr.ie or telephone 087 938 8882.

Notes to Editor

Association of Personal Insolvency Practitioners (APIP)

The Association of Personal insolvency Practitioners (APIP) is the largest representative body of personal insolvency practitioners (PIPs) in Ireland and members are authorised by the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI).  With a current membership of 81, APIP collectively represent a significant number of insolvency and bankruptcy clients nationwide who are at various stages of the process. 

Eric Hendy, Chairman of APIP

As the representative for the 81 APIP members throughout Ireland, APIP Chairman, Eric Hendy has and is continuing to engage with various pillars of the government to progress the current insolvency system in Ireland.

Recent high-level meetings include:

• Friday, 24th April 2015: Eric Hendy had a meeting with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, T.D..

• This week (29th April 2015 – 1st May 2015): Eric Hendy is meeting The Labour Party T.D., Willie Penrose and Regina Doherty, Fine Gael T.D for Meath East.

• Wednesday, 6th May 2015: Eric Hendy will meet the Tánaiste and Labour T.D. for Dublin West, Joan Burton in Dáil Éireann.

Further Information

2015 APIP Committee

Eric Hendy, Chairman of APIP
Tara Cheevers, Secretary of APIP
Mitchell O'Brien, APIP Committee Member
Steven Curtis, APIP Committee Member
John Kenny, APIP Committee Member
Alan McGee, APIP Committee Member