Court Case over snagging. I need help!

AD_Rose

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping there is a lawyer/solicitor that can help me. We bought a new home three years' ago. AT the time we agreed to hold back £20,000 on the agreement that the developer would complete any snagging issues that arose in our flat and in the block.

After three years of fighting them to complete the snagging and bringing in a solicitor to represent the whole block - we have now been issued a summons by the develper at a county court.

We decided that we wouldn't use solicitors, but we have just received an allocation questionnaire that needs to be done within two weeks! We have decided that we probably need some help with this. But when we contacted a few lawyers, the said that it would cost us double the amount of our defence. We are concerned about filling in the form incorrectly. And could do with some help.

The developer/claimant filed the claim without a solicitor. Our argument is that they have breached the contract by not fixing the snagging and when they have, it has been a poor job. After two years' of dealing with this, we decided to keep the money.

I'd be grateful for any advice on how to proceed with this. Thanks.

clutton_2

some solicitors have free half hour legal surgeries

esuhl

Citizens Advice may be able to offer some assistance, or at least have contacts who may be able to help...

AD_Rose

Thanks for your replies. I have contacted the CAB and they couldn't help us. They said we would need a solicitor on this. I have looked at the form and I think we can fill it in, but I do not understand one section which talks about proposed directions. Do you or anyone else understand what that means?

Troubled_Joe

Don't worry about filing proposed directions - as a litigant in person the court would not expect you to do so.

For your info though the directions are a timetable of actions required to take the matter to trial e.g. standard disclosure of documents, instructions of an expert or experts, exchange of witness statements etc etc.

The majority of the Alloc Q is very straightforward. But feel free to fire any questions you want.

chappers

Have they issued only yourselves with a summons or have others in the block retained monies too and been issued with summonses. If the latter then I would seriously think about engaging a solicitor to act on all of your behalves.
If the former then you need to get your evidence together, including the work done on your behalf by the solicitor you all employed.
For the time being you should be able to fill out the acknowledgement of service, which will give you further time to file your defence, which could be in the form of a counterclaim for the amount necessary to complete the outstanding works.
I would speak to the solicitor you collectively engaged and ask his opinion as to where he thinks you stand with regrds to any outstanding works etc.