Being taken to court for money not yet owed?

[HeadingNorth]

Really?

 

In my work I know people with arrears of two/three years who haven't been taken to court yet. Madness for the courts to even entertain a case that is in credit.

 

I can only assume that the court does not get the full details until the day of the hearing; that the paperwork the council sends in will simply say "arrears of £80."

[Chris_Sleeps]

I can only assume that the court does not get the full details until the day of the hearing;

The council would need to send in full details of the debt if they were wanting to pursue it. There is a full administrative process to go through, because it is possible to plead guilty by post and not even go into court with some debts. This is especially true with council tax, where it can be taken from wages or possibly imprisoned for not paying it. It seems very strange to me.

[ab6262]

dont worry about it even if they do send you a summons to court, just attend at the given time, you wont get anywhere near a judge or court, there are council officials there in a side room and they will sit you down and make an arrangement to pay an amount that you can afford. its an ongoing system to try and frighten people into paying before they need too.

[Karis]

dont worry about it even if they do send you a summons to court, just attend at the given time, you wont get anywhere near a judge or court, there are council officials there in a side room and they will sit you down and make an arrangement to pay an amount that you can afford. its an ongoing system to try and frighten people into paying before they need too.

 

What about County Court Judgements? If you go to Court, they sit on your credit file for years after.

[Chris_Sleeps]

Council Tax won't lead to a CCJ. Council Tax is magistrates court, a criminal court. A CCJ is only issued through county courts, or civil courts.

 

If you can explain your position and your situation you should have very little to worry about, even more true if you are able to pay your debt. It's bureaucracy, but it isn't overtly evil.

[HeadingNorth]

What about County Court Judgements? If you go to Court, they sit on your credit file for years after.

 

Only if it's a judgment against you, which this one emphatically would not be.

 

I was recently taken to court to force repayment of a debt I didn't owe. I don't know the details of how it got that far, but the judge took one look at the papers and tossed the case out. It took about two minutes.

[denlin]

Really?

 

In my work I know people with arrears of two/three years who haven't been taken to court yet. Madness for the courts to even entertain a case that is in credit.

 

The council bring the cases to court, you don't seriously think logic is involved:hihi::hihi:

[denlin]

dont worry about it even if they do send you a summons to court, just attend at the given time, you wont get anywhere near a judge or court, there are council officials there in a side room and they will sit you down and make an arrangement to pay an amount that you can afford. its an ongoing system to try and frighten people into paying before they need too.

 

But OP is in front not behind with payments

[Karis]

But OP is in front not behind with payments

 

I certainly am

 

I've paid regularly up until recently, and there's still a good 3 months left to pay for this year.

 

Although they do say they expect payments by Direct Debit or it's all got to be paid up front. The letter says 'As you've failed to make monthly payments, you have lost the right to pay in installments...'

[denlin]

I certainly am

 

I've paid regularly up until recently, and there's still a good 3 months left to pay for this year.

 

Although they do say they expect payments by Direct Debit or it's all got to be paid up front. The letter says 'As you've failed to make monthly payments, you have lost the right to pay in installments...'

 

If you don't sort it out over phone Karis go to court but make sure you take receipts or bank statements, they'll have to pay costs:D or take letter to citizens advice and get them to ring for you:D