The number of people being taken to court over personal debt across Scotland has soared to more than 1,000 a day.
A report by Accountant in Bankruptcy has revealed almost 380,000 debtors were the subject of court bids in 2013-14 – up 20% in just one year.
The rise is being put down to increasing use of powers handed to local authorities to make it more straightforward for them to recover debts with minimal legal costs.
The number of court cases in Grampian, Highlands and islands increased by 33% from 42,770 to 56,883 in the 12 months.
Leonie Donald of Aberdeen-headquartered law firm Aberdein Considine, said the tally indicated “an economy still struggling to recover”.
She added: “The figures are worrying in that they highlight the difficulties that are being encountered by individuals in paying their council tax, which is an increasing concern for all those involved.
“It is also perhaps an indicator that councils are taking a harder line in recovering arrears.”
A spokesman for council umbrella group the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities insisted members were using the new powers responsibly.
“Councils have a proud record of helping those in society who for whatever reason find themselves in most need including those who are in debt,” he added.
Keith Dryburgh, policy manager at Citizens Advice Scotland, said: “Councils need to ensure that they support clients to seek independent, free and impartial advice and make sure they are only using legal enforcement as a last resort.”
Aberdeen Donside SNP MSP Mark McDonald said: “People should pay their council tax but it is clear that the impacts of welfare reform policies are going to affect the ability of individuals to cover all of their outgoings.
“I would hope in such circumstances that councils would try wherever possible to avoid the use of court action but I realise there may come a point when this becomes inevitable.”