Going br in london high court

Mrs_Confused_3

Has anybody gone BR in London?
I ask because as I have not been in UK in last 6 months I have to go to London to go BR, are they kind and understanding in London, now I feel really scared about doing it.
Can anybody put my mind at ease.
Thanks

philnicandamy

Quite a fair few people here have used the royal courts & had notning but praise for its staff so try not to worry they'll all be fine with you & understand your scared about the day

If you have some time on your hands while waiting have a wander around the courts they're truly an amazing site to see!

Mrs_Confused_3

Thank you for that.
I am still petrified though - not sure what I will be like on the day.
presume I just phone to make the appointment?

would love to hear from others about their experiences going BR in London; if only to try and make me feel better. I dont think I will sleep now for the next 2 months !!!!

Amiga

Hello Mrs Confused.

I didn't go BR in London, however when I did today, the impression I got was that the people that deal with you are just doing a job. They don't judge or try to make you feel bad. I was treated fairly and decently and I am sure you will be too. They get hundreds a year ( if not more!) and are well used to dealing with it

It isn't great fun but it isn't the horrorfest I imagined and I bet you are thinking too

Best of luck

Mrs_Confused_3

Also .... another question as I dont live in the UK and will have to leave within the week, will they do my OR interview on the same day in London or will they have to phone me at some point at a later date? Thanks again

PixiePie

Hi Mrs - I went BR in the Royal Courts and it was as pleasant as it possibly could be to be honest.

The walking around is a little confusing (you have to go over one way to pay, then all the way over to swear yourself as you and hand your papers in, and then to a third place to get your papers back) but not too bad, and they tell you where to go (I asked at the front desk for the first place, then they gave me a map once I'd paid I think) - just ask someone if you get a little turned around (there are staff everywhere).

You don't book, you just turn up, although if you want a court helper to help you (ie walk around with you) you have to book one of those, but I don't know anyone who had one and we've all survived

All the BR staff I spoke to for whatever reason honestly sounded quite bored and could have been serving on the checkout at Tesco for all the care in their voices, they really don't think there is anything wrong with it, they deal with literally hundreds of cases a week....You don't see the judge as there are far too many people going BR everyday for that, you just get handed back your papers when they are issued - you go declare in the AM (about 10am ish I seem to remember) then go back about 2pm ish to pick up your papers.

The Courts are *fabulous* really really really stunning pieces of arctitecure and art - take a pair of binoculars to see all the stuff up on the ceilings, as they really are lovely and actually make a lovely day out (if you weren't going BR).

The OR system has changed since I went BR, as you used to have to go and have an initial interview on the day quickly and then they phoned you at a later date to do the interview over the phone (usually) - You don't have the initial interview anymore, and as you are overseas will probably be fine with an over the phone interview unless they think you really are scamming the system or have a very difficult BR (or HMRC are petitioning you I think - some people on here who have been made BR by them were face to facers but I also think that was due to businesses being involved? Can anyone comment on that?)

All things considered and in hindsight it was actually a rather nice day - I wish I had appreciated the Courts more whilst I was there lol!!

Mrs_Confused_3

Thanks to everyone do feel slightly better, if you can !!!
A very kind family member is coming with me so maybe we can enjoy the day out ........... or try.

I think actually I might prefer the London Court system better, just handing over papers, with no interviews, I think if anybody tried to interview me on the day I would probably die on the spot ! just out of sheer nervousness.

So you dont need to book an appointment, you just turn up, they wont turn me away and say come back tomorrow, as I will only have 1 day to go BR in London before we get picked up. Thanks again all

PixiePie

If you want to make doubley sure you can phone them up (from abroad :eek:) and ask about the appointments, but it never was appointments just turning up (and haven't heard that it's changed despite lurking on here for far too many years now). I think you need to aim to be there at about 10 - 10.30am ish for round one.

Good luck - it's really not that bad - coming to the decision to go BR is the hardest bit imho (oh, and getting your credit file afterwards and fainting at it lol).

Mrs_Confused_3

thanks pixie pie, great stuff
my other major problem now, is that knowing my bank account would be frozen any minute now, overdraft well over overdraft limit !!!! my cousin very kindly said I could have my wages paid into her bank account, which I did when I got paid in July.

I have her spare cash point card so I can get my wages out, i had posted asking if the OR is going to want to see her bank account statements, some replies came back no, but I had a reply from a CCCS and they said they would want to see where my wages are going and I would have to account to the OR regards where they are paid in and what I spend them on, which means dragging my cousin into my BR. all that happens is my wages go in and I draw the exact amount out over 4 days, will they really need to see her bank statements, she wont be too pleased. Thanks again

fiveyearplan

I went BR at the RCJ too. It is still a walk in service. The OR won't ask to see cousin's bank statement but may ask for payslips.

EMMACAT

hi ya
i went bankrupt in 2006 (things may have changed?) but this is basically wot happened to me.
1-filled in the paperwork and went to the high court in london.
so many people there doing the same thing so go early as you have to queue. but go and pay court fees 1st.....
2 -otherwise you stand in a queue for nothing.then get sent somewhere else even though there woz prob notices "ask" i had to go to another part of this huge building to pay, as i did not know what to do. (then went back and joined the queue again. just made it.
sorry cannot remember departments SO NERVOUS I WOZ TOO STRESSED TO THINK STRAIGHT.
3 -they tell you when to come back so went to pub to calm my nerves then went back to get my BR papers (u dont see the judge he just stamps your document)if all ok.
4 -sent to another address for an interview with OR (a 10 min walk away).
5 -had interveiw with OR. the 1st thing she said was give me all your cards, credit cards etc. and she asked me if i had opened a new bank account which i had not. and she said i could keep my bank card but as soon as you can draw any money,that same night she advised, that i had in my account "out" do it as my account my current bank "then woz abbey" would be closed. then to send her my card cut up (lovely lady).
6- had to find a new bank , quickly, as my monthly income was due to be paid in some 2 weeks later. i opened a nationwide account who accept BR customers. then i sent a copy of BR document and a letter i had prepared off to all my creditors etc,thats the way i wanted to do it ,some people dont,i just wanted to keep a file for my own reference.
and to my bank to close my accout.
(ironically my direct debit for my rent still went through abbey even though i had closed my account) and i ended up £700 pound better because by the time OR had done their thing and the abbey closing my account, well ,) just timing i suppose,that debt woz also included in the BR.
anyway im gonna stop babbling along ,its the best thing i ever done ,i got in bad debt due to circumstances and had many a sleepless night. over some 2 years, however i opted for BR, not a nice experience but it is not so bad either.when u are at the end of your tether ,this is the only way!!!
you get an phone interveiw appointment if all okay but "Do Not Miss This". then its pretty much stress free from then on (apart from the obvious, your credit is c*ap) you have to pay by !!CASH!! for everthing,only money u have...
once you get used to it wot a GREAT feeling..
good luck
emmacat x
by the way they did not ask anything else ,ie: of new bank a/cs etc /i dont think so/ and have not to this day. but they do want payslips for the last previous 3 months? and maybe want some contribution from your "tax" if you can contribute ,ie whatever your circumstances are!!also your company will be informed! no one at my firm and its a huge company and i have a supervisory/management title . contacted me about this..