Effect of debt at immigration

sam555

Dear All,
I am not a UK citizen. I left the UK in November 2008 since my visa expired and could not find a way to extend it. By the time I left there was balance in credit card, bank overdraft and mobile phone contract which I could not settle as I had no money left with all the expenses had while moving.
Now I want to come back to UK for a visit (Three weeks) and I wonder whether I have to face any legal consequences due to above matter. Is there any possibility of arresting me at immigration?
I do not know whether there is any CCJ on my name as I had no any contact on the place where I last lived in UK. (I took a police report in MAR-2013, and I had no any charge there)


Appreciate your valuable feedback


sam

bengal-stripe

Debtor's prison has long been abolished. Debts are not a criminal but a civil offence: there won't be a warrant out for your arrest.

PaulW922

Immigration will not even know about your debt - (unless it were fraud of course which it clearly isn't).

MrSilk

If the debts are from 2008, more than likely they are, or shall soon be statute barred

sam555

thanks all for your reply,

I still have a concern whether the following is possible.

If they have referred this to the court, Is there any possibility to charge me on not appearing in the court. (I do not know any communication as I was not in any UK address after 2008)
In case there is a CCJ, what worse can happen during my stay of 3 weeks?
Sorry for troubling, please advice

sam

Voyager2002

sam555 wrote: »

thanks all for your reply,

I still have a concern whether the following is possible.

If they have referred this to the court, Is there any possibility to charge me on not appearing in the court. (I do not know any communication as I was not in any UK address after 2008)
In case there is a CCJ, what worse can happen during my stay of 3 weeks?
Sorry for troubling, please advice

sam

No need to worry.

Perhaps you are confused between County Courts which handle debt and things, and the system of Magistrates' Courts and Crown Courts that are concerned with criminal matters. It is possible for someone to be arrested if they fail to appear at a court that handles criminal matters, but if you fail to appear at County Court the worst that can happen is that the case is decided against you.

If a CCJ has been taken out against you then it would be difficult for you to borrow money here, but in any case it is not usually possible for a visitor to get credit.

I hope you enjoy your visit.

enfield_freddy

If they have referred this to the court


if they have , then its still a civil matter , and nothing to do with the police/imigration

sam555

Thanks all for your valuable reply
Feeling comfortable now !

Just one more thing, is there any way to know whether there is a CCJ?

sam

Joe_Bloggs

This is the Gov.uk link on how to check for any CCJ.
https://www.gov.uk/county-court-judgments-ccj-for-debt/ccjs-and-your-credit-rating

The cost is £4 payable by cheque if you do not have an account with
http://www.trustonline.org.uk/ a not for profit company.

J_B.

PZH

sam555 wrote: »

I am not a UK citizen. I left the UK in November 2008 since my visa expired and could not find a way to extend it....

Are you having to apply for a visitor visa ?

Sinhanada

Apply for a copy of your credit report would be my first course of action