Small Claims Court Scotland

mcguigan

OK I don't disagree that the legal system can be rubbish. As someone who is pursuing civil action against 2 people and awaiting the outcome of a criminal action against another, I know more than most about how frustrating it can be. And the above is in relation to building work so I know how you feel about getting your money back from the builder!

However I reiterate - you can get so far by doing a lot of this yourself. I have spent nearly 3 years pursuing cowboys and I feel it was worth it for me. I have spent a long time going after these people and found out to my cost that using lawyers is not necessarily the answer. I have helped some one else get their money back from the same people, due to the experience I picked up along the way.
Only you can judge when to drop it. As the poster must. Sometimes the principle and a recognition that you were 'right' may be some comfort. But don't go lining lawyers' pockets along the way. The small claims system allows us ordinary people to attempt to get justice and we should use it. Just be prepared to get stuck in and do some leg work.

Jack b I'm not sure i have any suggestions you haven't already tried. Have you looked to see if he has a facebook page- It's amazing what people reveal about themselves or their 'friends' do. That's how I have managed to keep tabs on my 2 cowboys. Try the consumer action group (google it) and go onto the Scotland site it has lots of help on there. Rogues like this always resurface.
Sorry mpc3 for hijacking your thread.

Bamber19

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

Weighted in favour of the defendant, what utter rubbish.

The Scottish civil court system is obviously neutral when it comes to deliberation on a case but the defendant gets far greater leeway in terms of keeping to deadlines for submission of documents etc. Failure to comply with the sheriff court rules by a defendant is far less likely to be fatal to their case than should the pursuer do the same.