County Court Claim Form received : Claimant is SIP

SpaceCowboy55

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I will PM you something tomorrow evening.

Dx

Thank you very much - I do appreciate all the help I am getting on here

SpaceCowboy55

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I would go for Stockport too. Absolutely no reason relating to parking tickets, but simply because Manchester is one of the corporate law centres in England. From being in practice in Manchester (admittedly some years ago now) my recollection is that the Manchester County Court is (or certainly was) much bigger and busier than Stockport, and by far the majority of cases involve solicitor representation on both sides. This may mean that the DJs are likely to have less time and patience for an unrepresented defendant, which is not a good place to start off. Stockport on the other hand was always much easier going (comparatively speaking) though that may also have changed since then.

If you live close to both and have time, why not pay a visit to both courts and have a look round.

As a by the by, courts hearings are all open to the public (apart from a very few exceptions). In my view, anyone faced with a court hearing should consider going along and speaking to the clerk - explain that you have a SCC coming up and ask if s/he can find you an appropriate case to sit in on. It just means that at least when you turn up for your own hearing you have a feel for what goes on.

I've been told it's been allocated to Manchester as the Claimant is also in Manchester ... no date yet.

bod1467

But the claimant is a company, you are an individual. You can challenge the allocation surely?

nigelbb

In a small claims case the defendant gets to choose where the hearing is held (normally at the most convenient court for them).

zzzLazyDaisy

Write to the court immediately and ask for the case to be transferred to the Stockport county court as this is closer to your place of work, and having the hearing in Manchester will cause you considerable inconvenience with work.

SpaceCowboy55

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Write to the court immediately and ask for the case to be transferred to the Stockport county court as this is closer to your place of work, and having the hearing in Manchester will cause you considerable inconvenience with work.

Do you think it will make much of a difference? On the N180 form I did said Stockport was closer to where I live and more convenient but Manchester was also accessible so I might have shot myself in the foot? Which Court do I write to MCOL ? via email - I've had nothing in writing yet to say Manchester.

bod1467

So who told you it was Manchester?

SpaceCowboy55

bod1467 wrote: »

So who told you it was Manchester?

I rang MCOL as the online system wasnt showing receipt of my N180 yesterday when it was due today and the help desk told me.

zzzLazyDaisy

SpaceCowboy55 wrote: »

On the N180 form I did said Stockport was closer to where I live and more convenient but Manchester was also accessible so I might have shot myself in the foot? .

In that case, the court will transfer to the venue which is most convenient for both parties, which is Manchester.

Will it make much difference? Well Manchester is a busy court so the judge might be pleased to see a chance to dispose of the case on a preliminary point, rather than taking up court time with a full hearing. Might work in your favour. To be honest, if you don't have a particular personal preference either way, just go with Manchester.

SpaceCowboy55

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

In that case, the court will transfer to the venue which is most convenient for both parties, which is Manchester.

Will it make much difference? Well Manchester is a busy court so the judge might be pleased to see a chance to dispose of the case on a preliminary point, rather than taking up court time with a full hearing. Might work in your favour. To be honest, if you don't have a particular personal preference either way, just go with Manchester.

I took your earlier point that Manchester is more of a legal centre - but there must be hundreds of small claims cases heard so I'm not over worried either way : being seen to be awkward at this stage could count against me.

I've sent you a couple of responses via PM in response to your PM - and I have a further question , but your inbox is full ( deliberate I know .. )