Updated: June 17, 2025
Published: October 19, 2022
Most observers would agree that the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) was set up in partial response to the Global Financial Crisis between 2007 and 2009. Previously, the only option available to both debtors and creditors was to initiate an onerous 12-year bankruptcy process, which was relatively rare prior to the downturn.
As the crisis deepened, Ireland eventually reduced its bankruptcy term to 1 year. However, the administrative burden on both debtors and the Official Assignee of Bankruptcy was still deemed to be too burdensome.
As such, in 2012, the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) was established with the intention of streaming the various debt scenarios and financial difficulties into more appropriate channels and thus reducing (as much as possible) the risk of debtors going into full bankruptcy.
Ultimately, the ISI is responsible for administering and supervising the operation of the various personal insolvency solutions as prescribed in the related act. The objective of which is ‘…to restore insolvent persons to solvency…’ or, more simply, to help people in serious financial trouble get back on stable footing.
What registers do the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) maintain?
If an agreement is successfully reached with their creditors, the personal details and type of debt solution agreed are recorded in relevant registers held by the ISI, of which 4 are maintained as follows:
- Register of Protective Certificates (PC) – This register records debtors provided with temporary protection from their creditors, allowing time for them or their advisors to negotiate a debt solution with creditors.
Once a Protective Certificate is registered, debtors are then registered into one of the following three protocols.
- Register of Debt Relief Notices (DRN) – For those owing under €35K of unsecured (not attached to property) debts, with low earnings and/ or assets.
- Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements (DSA) – Debtors who have entered into a DSA, for unsecured (not attached to property) debts greater than 35K.
- Register of Personal Insolvency Arrangements (PIA) –Those who owe up to €3 million (or more) worth of unsecured and secured (attached to property) debt.
Why might someone search the Insolvency Service of Ireland records?
Very loosely, this can be distilled down into two main reasons: –
Due Diligence: Businesses, lenders, or individuals may wish to establish the financial well-being of potential customers, partners, or debtors. Such knowledge of a person’s financial history could affect their credit rating. Analysis could also lend itself to pre-employment checks, fitness and probity matters, asset tracing, divorce proceedings or other financial duties and legal settlements.
Property Transactions: Individuals who have accepted the protection of, or entered into an agreement with, the Insolvency Service of Ireland may no longer have the authority to manage or engage in transactions involving their real property assets, such as selling or mortgaging the property. This is particularly the case for those with a Personal Insolvency Arrangement, which would require the consent of their creditors for any sale or divestment to proceed.
How do I use the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) registers, and what do I search for?
For due diligence matters, we simply search against the bearer of the name.
For property transactions (conveyancing property, interests or rights), searches are typically carried out against both the seller and the purchaser. The reason why the purchasers are also checked is that this is part of the lender’s “Review of Security” and may influence mortgage approval or other financing decisions.
Are addresses required to be provided as part of the searching instruction?
The short answer is that addresses are not required as part of the instruction.
Ultimately, the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) registers are searched jointly by first name and surname to identify those who have either been provided protection from their creditors or entered into a debt solution. As such, any searches are strictly confined to the names provided in the searching instruction.
What will the Ellis & Ellis Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) register search result show me?
Given that the Ellis & Ellis search will be strictly confined against the requested bearers of the names, a result will be produced for any matching names, regardless of the address. This could result in numerous matches for that name, with varying addresses being returned.
If no matching names are identified, then that too will be declared in our certified result.
Typically, any positive result will show details such as name of debtor, appropriate court and court record number, debtor’s address, year of birth, the arrangement (proposed or actual), the date of issuance, date on which the debt solution ceases to be in force, and Personal Insolvency Practitioner PIP contact details.
So, how will the requester know if a ‘hit’ is their target person?
Given that the Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) result may indicate a known address, the target will be instantly identifiable.
Likewise, a ‘hit’ for a bearer of a seller’s name (irrespective of address) in the Register of Protective Certificates (PCs) will require some thoughtful consideration, as this could eventually lead to a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) or other debt solution.
With regards to matching name results for Debt Relief Notices (DRNs) and Debt Settlement Arrangements (DSAs) being returned, these solutions are against unsecured debt and may be indicative of a troubled personal financial history, but could also impact those seeking mortgage approval. Because matching persons at variable addresses may be returned in our result, the ultimate onus would be on the identified person(s) or their solicitor to disavow such matching name ‘hits’.
So, how long do the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) register entries last on the register?
For Register of Protective Certificates (PCs), these can last for 70 days (with a potential for an additional 40 days or more by agreement).
Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) has a maximum period of 72 months but may be lengthened for a further maximum of 12 months by agreement.
Debt Relief Notices (DRNs) typically have an administrative period of 3 years but can be exited early if the debtor pays 50% or more of the total arrears. Alternatively, agreements may be extended in certain circumstances.
Debt Settlement Arrangements (DSAs) usually apply over a period of 5 years, or 6 years in some circumstances.
Note: For all of the above, a debtor’s name will appear on a result if their arrangement is still current or has ended in the last 3 months
Trust Ellis & Ellis’s Law Search Solutions
Given the substantial effect set out above of either not conducting a search at all, or worse, conducting an insufficient or flawed Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) registers search, it is essential that clients avail of a trusted law search provider such as Ellis & Ellis.
With our mix of a quick and easy-to-use ordering platform, over 135 years of professional know-how, and a quality after-sales offering, we provide clients with an exceptional searching service.
For added peace of mind, Ellis & Ellis provide substantial Professional Indemnity Cover.
Why not join the 1000’s of users who trust Ellis & Ellis to deliver them a competitive edge?
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