(90)  Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors: bye-bye poindings and warrant sales – from 31 December 2002

The Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Bill, introduced in the Scottish Parliament by the Scottish Socialist MSP, Tommy Sheridan (see No 72), was passed on 6 December 2000. Following an amendment proposed by the Scottish Executive, the abolition will come into force on 31 December 2002.  Mr Sheridan subsequently spent the week before Christmas in prison for non-payment of a fine incurred as a result of his participation in an anti-nuclear protest at the Trident submarine base at Faslane.  Meanwhile the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Law Commission are contemplating the problem of how to compel the payment of debts in Scotland from 1 January 2003. See the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Poinding and Warrant Sale (Scot Law Com No 1777: April 2000).