Court papers - so stressed. Help?

chancer63

although I have a DMP with CCCS, one of my creditors has issued a claim against me and sent court papers for a CCJ.
Just when I was starting to relax and think things were going to be okay.
I rang CCCS and explained the situation. They told me what I need to do in terms of the papers and what the claimant is likely to do.
My budget statement will show that I cannot pay any more than I am already - the debt is around £500 and CCCS couldn't believe the creditor was going to court over it! There is also no way I can find the full amount.
CCCS adviser seemed to think that claimant is unlikely to accept my offer which means it will go to the court to decide and I will get a CCJ
I really can't believe this and now feel really worried that what if other creditors do the same.
Has any one got any help, support advice to offer?
Can I write to the claimant and reinforce the fact that they have been paid regularly like the other creditors? They know I am working with CCCS but have ignored this fact.
I feel so depressed and I have a job interview to prepare for tomorrow.....

thechippy

It may be worth writing to them to explain the situation.

TBH though, if you are on a dmp, you're credit rating is already trashed. A ccj won't make much difference.
The court will just accept what you're already paying anyway.

The creditor is obviously an idiot (surprise!!).....;)

PNPSUKNET

ccj though will secure the debt for another 6 years, so protects them. Problem with dmps are that they are informal.

thechippy

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

ccj though will secure the debt for another 6 years, so protects them. Problem with dmps are that they are informal.

Yep,

At least the ccj kinda brings it to a conclusion and interest ceases, so works both ways.

chancer63

I am worried about having a CCJ for future job prospects. I am studying for a degree at the moment and will be looking for graduate jobs. Info is unclear about how much impact a CCJ will have on employment prospects?
I am just so angry that they are doing this over £500 when they have been getting regular payments from DMP : (

KingElvis

They'll get a ccj to make sure they get their money back in a secured way. Not as uncommon as you might think.

Gothicfairy

Depends on what kind of job you are going for but to be honest I think a lot of work places are now getting use to the fact that people have had problems.
I don't have a ccj ...yet but my hubby does and it has actually made things better..They get £5.00 per month as agreed and we move on.
His job does not care as they have bankrupts etc
I think as more and more people get into trouble the issue about working with ccj's and things like that will get better.

dancingfairy

I believe that if you pay it off within a certain time of the judgement then it doesn't show on your credit file.
Your creditor needs to show you owe the money to get a CCJ - options after that include putting in a request to pay in installments or trying to pay in full within 28days? so it doesn't show - obviously paying in 28 days could be problematic. If your dmp payment is bigger than the 500 pounds then you could skip one month in order to prevent the CCJ being granted but then you run the risk of upsetting the other creditors and if they get a sniff of the fact that you have missed your dmp payment for 1 month in order to prevent a ccj then they are all likely to go down that route.
You need to see if you can dispute the CCJ at all- why not start another thread called avoiding CCJ - any defence? to see if people have any ideas. I presume that the debt is post 1997?
df