The number of people in Northern Ireland getting into mortgage repayment difficulties is falling, despite rising interest rates.
Figures released today by the Court Service revealed that the number of actions for possession taken between April and June this year were at their lowest level for four years.
A total of 584 writs and originating summonses were issued during the quarter - a full 5 per cent down on the same quarter a year earlier.
Over the quarter, 338 cases were disposed of by the courts. The bulk of the cases resulted in orders for possession of property being made.
However there were also a substantial number of suspended possession orders made, under which the court postponed possession because it was satisfied the defendant was likely to be able to pay any money due under a mortgage within a reasonable period.
In the whole of 2006 there were 2,523 writs and summonses relating to mortgage issues before the court - 2 per cent down on the previous year. In the three years before that, there had been a 19 per cent increase in 2005, a 9 per cent increase in 2004 and a 24 per cent in 2003.