Lent money to "friend"

kzfocus

I loaned a so called friend £3,500 when she asked for help over two years ago. I have asked her on numerous occassions to start repaying the money and despite countless promises and excuses... so far nothing. I had asked her to set up a direct debit so that money could be paid back over a reasonable period, if she was unable to repay in one go. I have given her every opportunity to come to an agreement.

I have unfortunately decided to go via the solicitors / courts in order to recover the money. Only problem I do not have her current address. Despite asking she refuses to give me any relevant contact details. The only info I have is her current employer, previous address as well as other stuff like her car reg, ni number, bank details etc.

Is her current address needed in order to proceed?

Any help appreciated. Lesson learnt :-(

onetomany

small claims court?

kzfocus

I think it would be the small claims court but I believe my solicitor would need to provide her details to the court as well as sending a letter of demand warning her of legal action if the money is not repaid.

Jennifer_Jane

You might be able to find her address through 192.com

Good luck.

HappyMJ

Or you will need to discreetly follow her one day to get the address. You can also ask DVLA where the car is registered for a fee.

kelly993

kzfocus wrote: »

I loaned a so called friend £3,500 when she asked for help over two years ago. I have asked her on numerous occassions to start repaying the money and despite countless promises and excuses... so far nothing. I had asked her to set up a direct debit so that money could be paid back over a reasonable period, if she was unable to repay in one go. I have given her every opportunity to come to an agreement.

I have unfortunately decided to go via the solicitors / courts in order to recover the money. Only problem I do not have her current address. Despite asking she refuses to give me any relevant contact details. The only info I have is her current employer, previous address as well as other stuff like her car reg, ni number, bank details etc.


Is her current address needed in order to proceed?

Any help appreciated. Lesson learnt :-(

I would leave finding her upto your solicitor. If you are looking to take someone to court there are a wide range of resources available to do this. Your solicitor will be able to explore options such as the department for work and pensions, electoral registers (although you can also do this one yourself), credit reference agencies, contacting employers, the DVLA as also suggested is another way of finding out. Personally I would not worry about this until your solicitor has confirmed if they will be doing this investigation, since they
will be financially gaining from this they will do everything possible to make it happen!

chalkie99

I am surprised at the replies so far to be honest.

The question is, did you draw up a written agreement which you both signed to show that the money was a loan and how it would be paid back?

Without that you are simply throwing good money after bad paying a solicitor and, frankly, even with an agreement you are going to find it hard to get anything from someone who does not want to pay.

Take a look at the sticky thread at the top of the page "Lending to friends and family".

I suspect you will need to put this down to life experience and move on.

staffie1

Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

opinions4u

So, if you track her down, take her to court, win .... and hse still doesn't pay ... what then?

It's a bad debt. Why increase it with legal costs?

CH27

Have you got proof that it was a loan?

SurreyBear

Definitely one for Judge Judy