Britannia/BW Legal help please

Moneynewbee

So I’ve just had the court paper arrive for this after receiving an email from Britannia with my SAR info. As expected the listed court is miles away from where I live, with 14 days to complete the paperwork or pay up.
Am I right thinking these are the official court forms I do need to complete within 14 days stating I will contest it and then have 28 days to put my case together?
How can I request a change of court venue to closer to home please as I can’t see anything about this on the forms?
I’m happy to carry on contesting this is I think I’ve got reasonable grounds but would like to ensure I’m doing this correctly as I’ve never been in this situation.
Thank you!

KeithP

Have you received a County Court Claim Form from the County Court Business Centre in Northampton?

If so, what is the Issue Date on it?

Unless Northampton is your local court, you will not need to attend that court - assuming you are an individual. Choosing your local court comes later in the process.

Coupon-mad

As expected the listed court is miles away from where I live,

But that's not the listed court! Come on, that's just the central processing centre.

How can I request a change of court venue to closer to home please as I can’t see anything about this on the forms?

You really need to read the section in the NEWBIES thread post #2 under the red heading 'IMPORTANT - KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN' and click on bargepole's Court Procedures thread.

All of this is answered there, and you will calm down if you feel informed & prepared.

Moneynewbee

Sorry little less jet lag and a bit more reading and my AOS has been submitted to contest this. Thank you for your patience! Now to start the defence research!

KeithP

Moneynewbee wrote: »

Sorry little less jet lag and a bit more reading...

Even more reading is needed.

Please re-read the questions in post #13 above.

Moneynewbee

Yes sorry you were right, it’s the Northampton business centre listed on the form under court address, didn’t realise that was the main office as such initially. The issue date is 10th May.

KeithP

Moneynewbee wrote: »

The issue date is 10th May.

With a Claim Issue Date of 10th May, you have until Wednesday 29th May to do the Acknowledgement of Service, but there is nothing to be gained by delaying it. To do the AoS, follow the guidance offered in a Dropbox file linked from post #2 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread. About ten minutes work - no thinking required.

Having done the AoS, you have until 4pm on Wednesday 12th June 2019 to file your Defence.

That's nearly three weeks away. Loads of time to produce a perfect Defence, but don't leave it to the last minute.


When you are happy with the content, your Defence should be filed via email as suggested here:

Print your Defence.
1. Sign it and date it.
   
2. Scan the signed document back in and save it as a pdf.
   
3. Send that pdf as an email attachment to CCBCAQ@Justice.gov.uk
   
4. Just put the claim number and the word Defence in the email title, and in the body of the email something like 'Please find my Defence attached'.
   
5. Log into MCOL after a few days to see if the Claim is marked "defence received". If not chase the CCBC until it is.
   
6. Do not be surprised to receive an early copy of the Claimant's Directions Questionnaire, they are just trying to keep you under pressure.
   
7. Wait for your DQ from the CCBC, or download one from the internet, and then re-read post #2 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread to find out exactly what to do with it.

Moneynewbee

Fantastic thank you!! I’m going to be away around that time in June so I’m going to crack on trying to get my defence together as soon as possible. Thank you for your help!

Moneynewbee

Latest update, I filed my defence as you helpfully suggested and this was all received. Within the last week I’ve had a letter from BW Legal stating their client Britannia are continuing with the claim, a few days later the notice of proposed allocation to the small claims track from the court, followed the next day by another letter from BW with a notice of discontinuance. Not being through this process before I’m taking this as Britannia are giving up their case at last and that’ll be the end of it for me?!

KeithP

That looks good.

You would be wise to seek confirmation of the Discontinuation from the CCBC. Give them a ring in the morning - phone number on your Claim Form.