Threatening a CCJ for £120 debt - is this possible?

beckysbobbles1

Hi all,


I booked a holiday with Hoeseasons but had to cancel it. I paid a £30 deposit but when I went to cancel the holiday, they said it was a low offer deposit and I still have to by an additional £120 just to cancel the holiday.


I know I should have had holiday insurance but I figured if I have to cancel and lose £30, it didn't matter.


I've now received a letter saying they will take me to the count court if I do not pay the £120.


The time of the holiday has been and gone so I would literally be paying this money for nothing.


I looked online and it seems that the lowest amount of debt you can recover from the CC is £300, is this correct?


If so should I be worried about a CCJ? Or should I just pay it?


Thanks.

Guest101

You're incorrect, I'm not sure where you read that figure.


The rules are simple, but often misunderstood. You don't get a CCJ for being taken to court. You get one if you lose AND fail to pay the order.


At present it's £120. With costs it will likely double. So in essence you need to decide if your case is tight enough to gamble £120, £240 or nothing.

beckysbobbles1

Guest101 wrote: »

You're incorrect, I'm not sure where you read that figure.


The rules are simple, but often misunderstood. You don't get a CCJ for being taken to court. You get one if you lose AND fail to pay the order.


At present it's £120. With costs it will likely double. So in essence you need to decide if your case is tight enough to gamble £120, £240 or nothing.

It's my fault, I've read it wrong. Ok looks like I don't have a leg to stand on. I'll call the company back and see if it's possible to use the deposit towards another holiday.

National_Debtline

Hi Beckysbobbles,

Sorry - cross posts.

I am afraid that is wrong, you can be sued for less than £300. You really need to check the terms and conditions of what you agreed to. (Hopefully you got a confirmation email with a link/ attachment with this). If you believe they are chasing you for something they shouldn't be under the terms and conditions then you should complain and outline why you are unhappy. You may even be able to escalate the complaint.


However, if they are correct in their charge then you have a couple of choices. Pay them in full or negotiate to pay instalments to try and prevent court action. Or wait and see if they go to court. You do need to be careful, as Guest101 has said, if they go to court the amount can increase. If you challenge the claim and lose it can increase further. But if you pay in full within 1 month of the judgement date it won't actually be recorded on your credit file, you just may end up more out of pocket. Good luck,


Laura
@natdebtline

patman99

That is why it pays to take out the optional insurance. That way, if you need to cancel, you are covered.