Letter before claim GPB Solicitors

Gardener48_2

The letter is entitled Letter before claim and no, it makes no referrals to anything else.
Thanks

zzzLazyDaisy

Well then it sounds like Stroma is right, it is probably not a 'letter before claim' in the legal sense.

Gardener48_2

Thank you.

Scouse_Magic

Something stinks here.. Roxburghe would not comment on the whereabouts of Sobell AKA Graham White who were their so called in house solicitors for years so roxburghe could randomly fire out the same bog standard template letter before claims...then along came GW's Trainee Misbah Zahid

Roxburghe did state that GPB now represent them, and had an office at Roxburghes address.. According to the law society, Both Sobell & GPB reside at the same address and I for one smell a rat.....I asked to speak to GPB but was told I had to send a email (Very much the same way in the old days of trying to contact sobell.)

Surely any reputable firm of solicitors have solicitors and admin staff available to talk to during normal office hours ?? or will it be misbah again now employed by GPB ??

Anyhow back on to the subject, the letter before claim does not comply with the Pre Action Practice Directions therefore, it is an abuse of the court process with the aim of threatening and intimidating a defendant to pay up promptly, and how dare Roxburghe ask people for money when they wont even pay their own debts as ordered by a court when they lost a case big time to my mrs :eek:

zzzLazyDaisy

Gardener48 wrote: »

Thank you.

You're welcome. However, if you are in any doubt about the possibility of them actually starting legal proceedings, it can't do any harm to reply along the following lines

'I have received your 'Letter before Claim' however I am totally confused as the CAB website states that such letters must comply with the Practice Direction on Pre-action Conduct, Annex A (copy attached for your information). As an ordinary person with no legal training, I have no way of proceeding this matter or seeking advice, unless you provide me with a compliant Letter before Claim'.

Once you have done that, the ball is in their court and they must take certain steps before they start legal proceedings.

Gardener48_2

Scouse Magic.
Thanks for the info re; Roxburghe sharing an office with GPB (are you certain about that?). Very fishy. One of the things which concerned me most was that GPB checked out as a reputable, kosha firm but this information changes that. Check out their website though, it's very impressive.

LazyDaisy,
The more I look at the letter, following your detailed advice, the less worried I am. I've just noticed that the letter isn't even signed. Well, it is, bit the signature is GPB solicitors. Their website certainly gives the impression of a highly professional outfit. Strange then, that the letter is so woeful. They couldn't be allowing Roxburghe to use their name under license could they?

zzzLazyDaisy

Gardener48 wrote: »

LazyDaisy,
The more I look at the letter, following your detailed advice, the less worried I am. I've just noticed that the letter isn't even signed. Well, it is, bit the signature is GPB solicitors. Their website certainly gives the impression of a highly professional outfit. Strange then, that the letter is so woeful. They couldn't be allowing Roxburghe to use their name under license could they?

If they are genuine solicitors, then no, they would not be allowing anyone to use their name under licence as they would be struck off!

Don't place any importance on the signature - all solicitors sign off letters by the name of the firm, rather than the individual who has written the letter (if that is what you mean?)

Gardener48_2

Thanks for the info'.

I feel content to await a possible Court summons. Although the prospect horrifies me. (Their obvious intention). Procedurally, they have got this SO wrong.
Surely, if they decide to pursue, then I can compile my legal objections at that point. Turn up in court and wipe the floor with them.
Or does that happen only on T.V. ?

trisontana

Don't forget this is a small claims court, so forget what you see on TV with wigs, gowns and very formal procedures. The small claims court is very informal. No wigs or gowns, just people sitting round a table. So don't be intimidated.

Gardener48_2

Tristona,

Thank you for your kind comments.
The reason why I'm intimidated is that my job is connected to the legal system and I spend a lot of time in court. It would be very embarrassing for me to appear on 'the other side'.

Still, if it comes to that, I can't imagine they will be successful. The run up to any case is so ill-prepared and haphazard.

The main thing though is this. Right across these threads people are saying that these charges are unenforceable. Well, are they or aren't they??????????????