Jersey bankruptcy laws 'outdated' says Citizens Advice

Bankruptcy laws in Jersey are outdated and need to change, according to the head of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Malcolm Ferrey said more people had been coming to the bureau with debt problems or wanting help to understand Jersey's income support system.

Currently the Jersey law prevents people who do not have assets from being declared bankrupt.

The annual report for Citizens Advice said it had seen a 10% increase in people asking for their help.

It also estimated the average amount of debt for people contacting the bureau was £10,000.

Mr Ferrey believed the stress faced by many people in debt could have been avoided if better bankruptcy laws had been in place before the recession.

He said: "People do fall into that debt spiral, they can find themselves in a dark place where they are unable to see light at the end of the tunnel.

"I think at the very least we need to be able to give more people access to the bankruptcy system in Jersey if they need it and not be at the whim of the court to decide."