How to collect a debt

RonFog

Not sure this is for this forum but thought I’d have a go.I was badly let down by a firm of solicitors representing me after a car accident.Essentially they didn’t file my independent witness statement in time and it was made inadmissible in court.I lost the case and made a formal complaint. They offered me a tiny amount of compensation and so I decided to take out a small claims summons.The judgement was found in my favour and the court awarded me around £1400.It is two months since the order was made and I haven’t received anything.The firm of solicitors are not answering the phone.I need to try and get this money before they go out of business.Does anyone know the quickest and cheapest way of doing this?Any recommendations gratefully received.
RF

National_Debtline

Hi Ron


For starters I would suggest you read this useful guide from our colleagues at Business Debtline on how to enforce a judgment against someone who owes you money:


https://www.businessdebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/BDL04%20BDL%20EW%20Claims%20in%20the%20county%20court/Default.aspx


I hope that is of some help. Obviously if this firm were to go out of business you might end up struggling to recover your money, so your urgency is understandable.


Dennis
@natdebtline

RonFog

Thanks for that but the link you have sent me is for making a claim in court. I already have a court order, the award was made by a judge in court.

National_Debtline

Hi again Ron


The fact sheet above contains information on how you can enforce your judgment against the defendant e.g. a bailiff warrant.


Dennis
@natdebtline

RonFog

Aha, I will keep reading that case. Thanks you


RF

sourcrates

Basically you can instruct a bayliff to attend there premisis, and collect the debt, usually clears the muddy waters when this happens lol !!!!

RonFog

Thank you SC. Can anyone recommend a Bailiff or a debt collector?

sourcrates

RonFog wrote: »

Thank you SC. Can anyone recommend a Bailiff or a debt collector?

Ha, now your asking, most folk on here have been on the wrong end of a lot of these people, I doubt recomendations will be coming thick and fast somehow !!!!

Sorry 😉

RonFog

It is a long shot I agree...

skyshadow

From my own experience of suing debt collectors and enforcing it given the value you can transfer it up to the high court for a fee of £60 which is added to the balance.

It will then get passed to a high court sheriff to enforce (if you watch the sheriffs are coming then you'll know how much power they have against commercial debtors)

First stage is ringing up the relevant court which is usually the Northampton CCBC for online claims and asking for a sealed copy of the judgement..once you have this you fill in form N293 if memory serves me right (someone else may be able to confirm).

Send this form to a relevant firm, personally I use the firm off the TV show based in Croydon, include their own paperwork which they will email you and the £60 fee and let them do their magic.

Hope this helps, sorry if its a bit garbled, on the train relying on details from memory

RonFog

This is very helpful thank you SS. My only concern is losing time in the process. I will find out who that firm is and give them a call.


RF