Civil money claims and credit rating score

tony672

Hello
I was wondering if getting a civil money claim sent to me would damage my credit rating in anyway. I have been asked to log into gov.uk/respond-money-claim by March 4th by 4pm and punch in some numbers that are on the letter. I don't have a problem paying this guy even though it has taken him more than 5 1/2 years to give me a bill, which was about 5 months ago. I did speak to him recently and had thought we had agreed that I would be able to pay him during April 2019. I am unsure if this letter I have received, sent from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, will have an affect on my credit rating.

[Deleted User]

Only if it appears on your credit files.

[Deleted User]

This is a county court judgement against you? If so, it will have no effect, unless you fail to pay within - I think - 30 days of the claimant getting a result at the court.

tony672

Ok thanks does it or will it appear on my credit file, do you know, when I punch in the numbers on the .gov.uk website. The letter says I must type in the numbers as the claimant could request a CCJ.

[Deleted User]

tony672 wrote: »

Ok thanks does it or will it appear on my credit file, do you know, when I punch in the numbers on the .gov.uk website. The letter says I must type in the numbers as the claimant could request a CCJ.

Is it an option to contact the claimant directly and pay him? If so, that's the best thing to do. The only time anything like this is logged against you is if it goes to court, you lose, and then you don't pay by the 30 day limit.

worried_jim

tony672 wrote: »

Ok thanks does it or will it appear on my credit file, do you know, when I punch in the numbers on the .gov.uk website. The letter says I must type in the numbers as the claimant could request a CCJ.

Logging into it won't make any difference. If it has gone to court and you have lost then a CCJ will have been made, you have 30 days to pay this. If you fail to settle this it will then appear on your credit file even if you settle it on day 31. Your credit history is then trashed for the next six years and bailiffs could be instructed (at a further cost to you) to visit your home and collect the funds or to take goods of equivalent value. Best log in and pay ASAP.

tony672

Well no I don't think it is not yet anyway. The letter says if I don't go to the government web site by the 4th March 2019 and type in the numbers on the letter the claimant could request a CCJ. It seems it is a civil money claim that you can do online and was sent by HM Courts & Tribunals Service.

worried_jim

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

Is it an option to contact the claimant directly and pay him? If so, that's the best thing to do. The only time anything like this is logged against you is if it goes to court, you lose, and then you don't pay by the 30 day limit.

Too late. It's already gone to court and they have lost. Had 5 years to settle this already.

tony672

Sorry I am trying to keep up. thank you to everyone. So he might of already tried to take me to court do you mean and lost and is now trying this way?
Yes maybe it is his way of trying to talk with me to work out a good way for me to pay him. Why does 5 years mean its to late.

molerat

What exactly have you received ? What form is it, what does it say at the top ? It looks to be a claim. If you do not respond the claim will be a simple rubber stamp exercise and you will get judgement against you by default.

CakeCrusader

The statute of limitations in England is 6 years, it's 5 years for Scotland. Has he sent you a letter before action to give you the chance to settle this (it's a warning letter basically)? If not, you can refuse to acknowledge the claim as he hasn't followed the correct procedure, you do need to write this as a defence on the form though (very important!!). You also need that you had an arrangement to pay him in April on the defence part of the form. If you agree to make a payment/payments now this shouldn't end up with a CCJ (this is a Tomlin Order). A Tomlin Order will become a CCJ if you fail to pay.