Is it possible to get out-of-date cheques re-issued?

*Robin*

Not sure if this is the right place for this query - if not, mods please move it to the appropriate board.

My solicitor has returned a folder of un-cashed cheques to me, saying it's not worth his time to pursue. These were issued to my late father between five and twenty five years ago (no idea why he didn't pay them in - sadly it's not possible to ask him now ).

Most are dividend cheques from his share-holdings, one is a lump sum payment from when he retired. Together they add up to a four figure sum.

Now I understand that a few of the companies he invested in have sunk without trace, but most of them - such as various utilities and his employer - have been taken over and still exist in some form.

My question is: Are the new owners of these companies obliged to honour and re-issue the cheques, despite the passage of time?

If so, what are the rules under which I could reclaim the money, please?

McKneff

Just write to each individual company explaining the circumstances.
Give details of the unpresented cheques, numbers, dates, and take it from there.

*Robin*

McKneff wrote: »

Just write to each individual company explaining the circumstances.
Give details of the unpresented cheques, numbers, dates, and take it from there.

Thanks for your prompt reply, McKneff. I have done this for one of the largest cheques; the lump-sum retirement payment.

The government research department who have taken over the old government research department which was Dad's employer, wrote back to me; basically saying "Tough!"

So my question is really, are there any rules I can quote under which I can reclaim this money (given their attitude; if possible plus interest as they've had the use of it)?

McKneff

Phew, not sure really, seems a bit unfair not to be able to though.

Hopefully more posters will be along to help more than I can.

Regards
Annie

dunstonh

So my question is really, are there any rules I can quote under which I can reclaim this money (given their attitude; if possible plus interest as they've had the use of it)?

No

There is no entitlement to interest. Most firms will honour the cheques of more recent years. However, the issue may be one of data protection and record keeping. Firms are required to destroy data no longer required over time. If there is no means of tracing the records for which the payment relates to then they may refuse to issue a new cheque. Or if the company no longer exists.

The further back you go, the more difficult it will be.

*Robin*

dunstonh wrote: »

There is no entitlement to interest. Most firms will honour the cheques of more recent years. However, the issue may be one of data protection and record keeping. Firms are required to destroy data no longer required over time. If there is no means of tracing the records for which the payment relates to then they may refuse to issue a new cheque. Or if the company no longer exists.

The further back you go, the more difficult it will be.

Thanks for replying, Dunstonh. Hmm, I bet I've still got my Dad's later employment history - even if they've destroyed their copies, I wonder if they'd accept the correspondence they sent him at the time? This particular cheque is 22 years old, but the department still exists although it was re-named/taken over about ten years ago.

Maybe I should start again with the more recent dividend cheques from utility suppliers?