BR in The Royal Courts of Justice - What's it like?

vonsworld

Hello,

Since I live in London, I may have to present my Bankruptcy Petition at the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand.

This sounds rather daunting, does anyone have any experience with Bankruptcy in the above courts? and how do they compare with regular County Courts?

Thanks

fiveyearplan

Hi vonsworld. No idea yet. I will within the next 4 weeks though.

NekoZombie

No big deal. The place is like a maze though- you might need a map. I'd also get there as soon as they open - it tends to get busy very quickly.

I seem to remember that they offer a support service where someone will help you through the process and take you around - might be something to consider.

vonsworld

Thanks for the feedback.

I've read somewhere that if you're made BR at the Royal Courts they send you to see the Official Receiver on the same day. Does anyone know, is this just to register with the OR, or do you get the dreaded interview all on the same day?

Cheers

wherediditallgo

Once you've been given your BR order, they'll send you to the OR's offices, about 20 minutes walk up the road. You'll meet with one of the OR's staff, who'll go over your SOA with you, but it won't be the proper OR interview, as you may still have a personal/telephone interview at a later date. When I was at the RCJ, it was made very clear that they take a very dim view of people who get their BR order but then don't bother to attend the OR meeting later the same day. They'll expect you to answer for that, & won't finish processing your paperwork until they've met you in person & you've explained your non-attendance.

fermi

There have been quite a few people here that have been to the RCOJ (including WDIAG and Neko).

The most recent I think was PixiePie who posted about her day in this thread:

Pixie's London Experience

The volunteers who can show you around and help you on the day are the Personal Support Unit. Their website is here:

http://www.thepsu.co.uk/

PixiePie

Yes, I was one of the many who went BR at the Courts.

To be honest, the Courts bit was the easiest walk in the park bit ever. The staff acted as if they were bored out of their minds and certainly didn't turn a hair at someone going BR, the worst bit was a) going through the scanners when I first got their (wasn't expecting that you see) b) getting a bit lost and nearly walking into the holding cells that they have there for the 'real' criminals being tried etc and the long wait between handing everything in and picking up my BR papers.

The OR's initial interview thing was also very painless - I did get a tad worried as everyone else seemed to be coming in after me and going off to get interviewed whilst I sat there like a lemon, but I think my girl had just popped to the loo or something. She just went through all my Paperwork really quickly and then I had to sign lots of bits of paper to say I was me. The only upsetting bit was when she commented on my income being less than my outgoings on my SOA, but then that's only because I'm wet and it's still the shame that we are struggling financially even after I've gone BR.

Other than that, it was very straightforward and easy. I still felt very ashamed and guilty for doing it, but as the Court's staff acted so very bored by it all, I think that really helped me to not get that upset whilst there. And the OR bit wasn't that bad either (nowhere near as bad as my actual interview on the phone - but don't let that scare you, I have a really nasty case officer blokie).

Hope that helps, really don't let it worry you, try and enjoy the really beautiful buildings that are the Royal Courts

vonsworld

Thanks for all your responses and reassurance, it now doesn't sound so daunting after all

May I ask about one point regarding income and expenditure...

I'm currently unemployed and my outgoings on the SOA are a lot higher than my income. Does this really matter or are they supposed to balance?

There are just some outgoings that I have to pay, you know like TV Licence, insurance etc, even though I haven't got the income to cover them at the moment.

Will the OR be concerned about this inbalance?

Thanks

rog2

Hi vw - I was declared bankrupt at the 'Royal Courts of Justice' (High Court) in the Strand, but mine was a 'Creditor' Petition, so it MAY be a bit different.
My Bankruptcy was heard in the Thomas Moore building, which is a bit of an annexe to the main Courts, but you still have to go through the main entrance, along with all the tourists, and through into what looks like the refectory at Hogwarts. There ARE Court Guides who will, willingly and courteously, escort you to the room where your BR will be dealt with.
Like Pixie, I found that the 'staff' appeared to be 'bored out of their minds' and, whilst I could not fault their attitude towards me, they did just give out the papers and instructions to OR office in a very monotonous, almost mechanical, fashion, then turn away before giving me any chance to ask questions.
The hearing (3-4 minutes) was, on the other hand, totally efficient and the judge took time to explain the process.
All in all - nothing to worry about - I think I would be bored if I had to do the job that the clerks do, but, coming from the private sector, I would say that the whole 'clerical' procedure could have been efficiently handled by one, at the most two, staff, whereas there were so many that they were falling over each other.
Good Luck and don't worry about your I/E - the OR WILL allow for TV and Insurances and you MAY be eligible for benefits to help pay for your basic needs.

mdbro

Just wondered if anyone had any recent experience of the time between filing an application for BR and the actual hearing at the RCJ? Looking at some of the posts here, it seems to be about 4 weeks - is that right? Is there any difference when filing online? I've tried phoning the enquiry desk but to no avail so far...!

BTW - thanks to everyone for sharing their experience at RCJ - I'm sure it will make less daunting for me and others!

vonsworld

I'm off to the RCJ tomorrow, so will let you know how it goes.

You don't need to book an appointment as with some County Courts. I've just been advised to turn up at 9.30, since the queues can sometimes be quite long.

If you're petitioning for your own BR, it doesn't appear like you have to see a judge either. You present your petition and then come back around 2.30 to collect your BR papers.

Will let you know what happens...