Hl solicitors

Glesga_chick

My mum got a phone call yesterday from someone in hl solicitors looking for me. I haven't lived with my mum in 20years, so don't know how they got her number. The only debt I had is now at least 6 years old if not older, but I'm not really sure how to deal with this as my main concern is obviously for my mum in case they start harassing her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tixy

What did mum say to the solicitors? Did she tell them you didn't live there? If so then they probably won't call her again.

If they do keep calling then I guess one option for her would be to give them your current address or number, then at least it would fall to you to deal with it rather than her.
Then once they contact you and if they do turn out to be chasing a debt of yours then you can deal with it in the appropriate way (sounds like it might be statute barred and if so should be easy for you to deal with).

MEM62

If you want to avoid your mother having to field these calls then you need to deal with the situation. Take no action and they will continue to hassle her.

Glesga_chick

For some reason known only to herself she told them I stay there occasionally, tho maybe she didn't know what else to say. At the risk of sounding like an idiot.....but what does statute barred mean?

rizla_king

Statute barred http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

Tixy

Glesga_chick wrote: »

For some reason known only to herself she told them I stay there occasionally, tho maybe she didn't know what else to say. At the risk of sounding like an idiot.....but what does statute barred mean?

It is when a creditor can no longer take legal action against you to recover a debt - see here Statute barred debts and the Limitation Acts

Basically for most debts if they haven't taken you to court and if you haven't made a payment for more than 6years or written to acknowlegde the debt then the act says they can no longer take court action. And if you tell them you don't intend to repay a statute barred debt they should cease debt collection activity.

fatbelly

If you're north of the border even stricter rules apply, and the relevant period is 5 years

Factsheet | Liability for debts & the Prescription & Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973

Glesga_chick

Does that apply if you sign a credit agreement or is it different. Thanx guys for all the advice...really appreciate it:j

Tixy

Yes the statute of limitation applies to all consumer credit debt. It applies to pretty much all debts in fact.

The signed credit agreement - you are not arguing that the debt exists or belongs to you with the limitation act - only that they haven't chosen to take court action against you in time.