Order to attend court

Dalodav

Hi, I am in melt down now and hoping for some advice....

I have an order to attend court for questioning tomorrow for £1300. It's for non payment of a rent deposit that I had a while ago... The problem is that I now have my son off school ill and with no-one to look after him tomorrow I don't know what to do as the letter says i could be arrested if i don't attend.... I have £200 to make a first payment and can pay it all off within about 3-4 weeks as my other half has just started a new job which is going to help a lot!
Does anyone know what I can do... I am not trying to get out of paying, I just don't think I can make it to court tomorrow... Help!

Liz

thepinkladez_2

i would suggest calling the court this morning and explaining the situation to them and see what they can suggest?

xcat_girlx

i would call them and see if you can make the payment over the phone maybe?


they might want doctors proof your son is ill

stapeley

A bit of back ground would help . Who do you owe it to , whos collecting it etc.

hev_2

Is it for an oral examination - a hearing to be asked questions about your income and expenditure?

If so, you can go to prison if you refuse to give a statement.

Ring the court and explain the situation. Ask if it is likely that the other side will attend. They are entitled to do so and ask their own questions. If the other side do want to attend then you are in a tricky position. You should do all you can to get there. If you do not attend then no-one is going to march you off to prison half an hour later. The sanction of prison is there for people who refuse to give a statement. Refusal to give a statement is contempt of court and that is what the prison would be for.

Even if the other side do wish to attend you can still explain the situation to the court and see if it can be put off till another date. If they are not likely to attend then ask the court staff if you can call in at a time convenient for you and give the statement. If it is the oral exam then it is usually not even in front of a judge, just one of the court staff.

If you do rearrange the date then do all you can to make it, don't mess them around. The prison sanction is for contempt of court, and if the court staff feel that you are extracting, if you miss several chances, then that increases the chances of such an order being made.

Having said that, many years ago I worked for over a decade in what was then the Lord Chancellor's department, and I never ever saw anyone go to prison on this. I did see one or two close shaves but that was after loads of chances to make the statement.

I hope your little boy feels better soon.

petrafyde

Big fat bump!

Hoping you haven't gone away!

Did you ring the court this morning?

Dalodav

Hi... and a massive thanks to all for the advice..
I have phoned the court and informed them that it may be tricky for me to attend tomorrow and all is well..
I have to give them a call tomorrow if I can't make it for definate and then they will proceed without me.. which isn't great but I won't get a knock on the door straight away... I have made a payment today aswell and will have this paid off within a short space of time anyway...
Thanks again.. now I have 5 mins I'm gonna have a good look round the site... it looks very helpful:o
Liz

dancingfairy

I agree there is a threat of prison but they are likely to give you every opportunity to put your side of the story so as long as you don't mess them around, and keep them uptodate. Sending you to prison for not giving your statement will be a lot of extra hassle for them and the prisons are full enough anyway to put people in there for minor reasons.

Hope you get it sorted soon. Just take you SOA and proof of things to back up your figures if possible. Oh and dont' forget to get advice from the CAB/National Debtline before you go. Plus I am sure you will pick up loads of advice from on here as well.

df x

RAS

Hi

if at all possible try to attend the court as you are more likely to get a favourable outcome. You could request a revised date. it looks more positive.

petrafyde

Hiya!

How is your son doing? Do you think he might be well enough to tag along? How old is he? There's only so much you can do, but if you can get there it will certainly work in your favour!

Update us when you have news/time!

petrafyde

Supportive bump.

Thinking about you today