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Bankruptcy declared over unpaid court costs

Published on 7 Dec 2009 under category: legal

An Edinburgh man has been made bankrupt over the cost of taking him to court.

George Buchanan, who was acquitted of drugs charges in 2004, failed to pay money which the court had ordered him to hand over to cover legal expenses.

It is thought that he has become the first person in Scotland to be declared bankrupt for this reason.

Buchanan was ordered to pay the costs, as the court deemed that a significant amount of his wealth had been accumulated through crime.

A source at Edinburgh Sherriff Court told the Edinburgh Evening News: "Buchanan fought tooth and nail to try and keep the money. When he lost, he faced all the costs from fighting for so long."

The newspaper was also told that while this was the first bankruptcy of its kind in the country, it is thought there will be more in the future.

If you require advice on Insolvency and Bankruptcy please call us on +44 (0)20 7831 0101 and ask for Katherine Sillett.