Letter asking for historic HM Court debt over 8 years after court hearing

Skiip40

Just an update...the concerning Sutton magistrate court has been closed for the last 5 years,ended up in Croydon magistrate court where the staff was unable to give me any information regarding this matter and was told to go to Camberwell green magistrate,tried to call them repeatedly but there Ghost line numbers always ends up with out any response,the communication with in the courts cross London is appalling as they seems to have no knowledge what's going on behind the back offices,where as Historical Debt team simply don't want to offer any help they are a bunch of sheer bullies even the above mater is going to disputed because they made the clerical error where as the matter was closed 7 years ago..simply disgusted by the procedure how the courts functions across Britain...RIP Great Britain..

Huni_Badger75

I've received 2 of these, a day appart! These people are chasing for old CCJ's, or where people have been summonsed to court and a fine imposed, regardless of whether you attended or not (judgement made in your absence) which is what happened in both my cases, as the summons were sent to my old address, therefore not received. I have explained this to the HDT, and they advised me to contact the original plaintiffs. Needless to say one of the plaintiffs (DVLA) was rude and unhelpful, and the other told me exactly what to do, to try and get it wiped, huzzah!
My fines were apparently:
DVLA 2008 - £65 for not informing them of change of ownership -south western magistrates
LBC 2009 - £455 for poor attendance sep-dec 08 (He was removed because he was being bullied, and was attending another school!) Croydon magistrates
However, you can be arrested for non payment of a court imposed fine if you REFUSE to pay!
Most of the old paperwork and files for the area of south london(if over 1 year old) has been transferred to Camberwell Magistrates. There are 3 numbers i've found so far 0207805-9851/9860/9863, but no one ever answers, so looks like i'm off to Camberwell tommorow, paperwork and ID in hand!
If you are unsure, get some legal advice, CAB or a local solicitor (you should get a free consult) but dont ignore it, as they will send court sheriffs to your home!

cjmillsnun

Huni_Badger75 wrote: »

I've received 2 of these, a day appart! These people are chasing for old CCJ's, or where people have been summonsed to court and a fine imposed, regardless of whether you attended or not (judgement made in your absence) which is what happened in both my cases, as the summons were sent to my old address, therefore not received. I have explained this to the HDT, and they advised me to contact the original plaintiffs. Needless to say one of the plaintiffs (DVLA) was rude and unhelpful, and the other told me exactly what to do, to try and get it wiped, huzzah!
My fines were apparently:
DVLA 2008 - £65 for not informing them of change of ownership -south western magistrates
LBC 2009 - £455 for poor attendance sep-dec 08 (He was removed because he was being bullied, and was attending another school!) Croydon magistrates
However, you can be arrested for non payment of a court imposed fine if you REFUSE to pay!
Most of the old paperwork and files for the area of south london(if over 1 year old) has been transferred to Camberwell Magistrates. There are 3 numbers i've found so far 0207805-9851/9860/9863, but no one ever answers, so looks like i'm off to Camberwell tommorow, paperwork and ID in hand!
If you are unsure, get some legal advice, CAB or a local solicitor (you should get a free consult) but dont ignore it, as they will send court sheriffs to your home!

They are NOT for CCJ debt. They are purely for criminal fines.

Swansea_Man998

I received a letter just like this in July. It is REAL. Mine was for £350 and it did not say what for. This is what I did.

I rang the number and asked the person what it was for. They said unpaid TV License for an old address.

I explained that I did not know about it and was told to call my local Court in Swansea to open a "Statutory Declaration". This will re-open the case from the date you received the letter from the HRC Historic Debt department.

I then had to chase down the court case number. Swansea didn't have it, called Merthyr court (was TV Licensing is processed), they didn't have it. Had to call "Complaints" and they found the number. Called Swansea back and re-opened the case.

I was given a date to attend in Swansea for the Statutory Declaration. Went before a judge, signed a bit of paper to say I did not know about the fine until this year. And then the court showed me the evidence against me.

Really sneaky TV license man had lied to me. 4 years ago I lived in a house with someone. We had a TV license. Landlady sold the house. The guy with the license moved out (with the TV), I stayed for a couple of months. TV license called and asked if I watched the rugby game. I said yes (I didn't..don't like Rugby, just making conversation and being polite), told him no TV here and was moving out (For Sale and Sold sign outside). Wanted me to sign up for one. I refused. Asked me where I worked and NI number. I got a bit angry with him being pushy. Asked me to sign his little box to let his boss know he'd called. Read the evidence in the court and he said I was watching Rugby when he called, didn't have a license and the box I signed was a declaration of my guilt. Luckily I didn't sign my full name. Or give my real signature.

Swansea court then gave me a new date for the hearing in Myrthyr Court to attend a hearing where I could plead guilty, not guilty or not give a plea.

I was going to plead not guilty and started to read up on cases and hope for the best. The day before my court case I received a letter stating that TV License had dropped the case.

Moral of the story is...this letter is real. Call them. If you're innocent, open the case back up and fight it.

Plus, if you ever find your self in a position where you're in between paying for your license, moving or are having financial trouble. Do not talk to anyone from TV License when they knock your door. I have a TV license and always have. But they still put me through a lot of stress and bother.

sheff6107

Common tactics from Capita. You're in a good position to put in a civil claim against them. Send Capita a Letter Before Action and see how they respond.

http://tv-licensing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/standing-up-to-tv-licensing-harassment.html

chariffa

Hi,
I've received a similar letter stating I owe a fine from 2005? Don't know what they're on about, they have made an attachment of earnings order for £260. Is this legal, given that they haven't communicated with me at all about the debt at any time, other than sending me this order?
Please help me. I know that if I had got a fine I would have paid it, but I doubt I can even remember what bank account I had then to be able to prove or otherwise. Any advice much appreciated.

Cornucopia

chariffa wrote: »

Hi,
I've received a similar letter stating I owe a fine from 2005? Don't know what they're on about, they have made an attachment of earnings order for £260. Is this legal, given that they haven't communicated with me at all about the debt at any time, other than sending me this order?

Not sure about this.

Please help me. I know that if I had got a fine I would have paid it, but I doubt I can even remember what bank account I had then to be able to prove or otherwise. Any advice much appreciated.

You need to trace the fine back and find out what it's for and why. You can then potentially challenge it, though the exact method for that will vary depending on the type of fine/claim it was.