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Solicitors costs
aymz1983
Posts: 72 Forumite
Hello
I have received a letter from a solicitors firm after being instructed by a DCA. They've outline the debt and added their costs (£170) on top, and said no response within 7 days they will take it to court etc etc.
is their £170 in anticipation of any court proceedings or is just something they've added on top of the debt because they can? I will be making an offer to pay the debt (I offered a payment arrangement to the DCA but they clearly ignores me!) so would I need to pay debt plus the 170 or can I just offer to pay the original debt without the solicitors fees as there would (hopefully) be no court proceedings?
Secondly, if they reject my offer of payment (based on what I can afford) and still went ahead to get a judgment against me, would the court make me pay more than what I could afford (would obviously put the same offer to the court that I did with the solicitors).
Many thanks
I have received a letter from a solicitors firm after being instructed by a DCA. They've outline the debt and added their costs (£170) on top, and said no response within 7 days they will take it to court etc etc.
is their £170 in anticipation of any court proceedings or is just something they've added on top of the debt because they can? I will be making an offer to pay the debt (I offered a payment arrangement to the DCA but they clearly ignores me!) so would I need to pay debt plus the 170 or can I just offer to pay the original debt without the solicitors fees as there would (hopefully) be no court proceedings?
Secondly, if they reject my offer of payment (based on what I can afford) and still went ahead to get a judgment against me, would the court make me pay more than what I could afford (would obviously put the same offer to the court that I did with the solicitors).
Many thanks
0
Comments
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Fixed costs (solicitors' costs) are almost always £80 for debt recovery matters.
Even that's only if they issue proceedings in the County Court.
Make sure it is a firm of solicitors, as the Student Loans Company famously sent out letters from a supposed firm, SLC, that did not exist and so no costs were ever enforceable.
The Law Society and SRA should list all firms in England & Wales online.Please be polite to OPs and remember this is a site for Claimants and Appellants to seek redress against their bank, ex-boss or retailer. If they wanted morality or the view of the IoD or Bank they'd ask them.0 -
Ok thanks although I am pretty sure they are a firm (will have to double check letter later)
So would I not have to pay the 170 then that they've put on top?
Thank you 0 -
no you don't, they can ask but only a court has powerDon't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.0
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Thank you, I will make my offer based around the original debt only then 0
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The costs are what they would bill you if the account went to court, be careful as this sounds like it could be a pre-action letter, something they are required to send to you by law.
I would write again to them, reiterating your offer, if you want to avoid this getting to the legal stage.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter0 -
Yes I don't want it to go any further. I had made an offer to the previous collectors who obviously ignored me and went to them! Just wasn't sure if I absolutely had to pay it or whether I could say, this is what I offer in relation to original debt excluding your costs. Which it seems I am able to so will see how that goes.
Thanks for your help 0
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