Overpayment time limit

moellet · 1 December 2016 at 11:08PM

Hi All,
Hope someone can offer some advise.
About 5 years ago my wife changed roles, staying with the same company. In her previous role, she was entitled to shift pay. Her employer carried on paying shift pay for 5 months (that my wife wasn't entitled to) before my wife informed them.
She arranged to pay the money back (a few thousand pounds) in a lump sum and they agreed and would come back with a final figure. That was the last she heard (5 years ago) until recently when she has now been requested to repay the money.
My question is- what is the legal length of time that can pass between the overpayment and the employer reclaiming the overpayment?

Many thanks for any assistance.

DomRavioli · 1 December 2016 at 11:33PM

For consumer debts, its 6 years before any debt is statute barred, but if your wife has acknowledged the new contact, the clock resets, but that is for most consumer debts - I think you need to seek specialist professional advice, probably from CAB or someone who specialises in employment law. some offer a free half hour.