Automatic discharge

Bankruptcy usually lasts for a period of 12 months. After this time, you are normally automatically discharged from your bankruptcy and freed from the debts you owed.

When you are discharged from your bankruptcy you will not be sent formal proof of this from the courts. If you would like written evidence that your bankruptcy has ended you can apply for a certificate of discharge. This certificate costs £60 and is obtained by writing to the court where you were made bankrupt.

Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (BRO)

In certain cases, the court will grant a bankruptcy restrictions order to prevent your automatic discharge from bankruptcy. A bankruptcy restrictions order extends the period of bankruptcy from the usual 1 year to between 2 and 15 years.

BROs are granted when the court considers the conduct of a bankrupt individual to have been reckless or dishonest.

Bankruptcy advice

To find out if bankruptcy is the best solution to your debt problem, use CCCS Debt Remedy, our online debt counselling service. Should bankruptcy be the right option for you, our bankruptcy team can give you all the advice and support you need to help you through the process.