Consumer Debt Lawyer

blueconker

Hi, 

Without going into much detail (happy to answer any questions if you have them), we have about £55,000 of unsecured debt. In 2017, with the help of StepChange I arranged to pay our creditors £1 a month and have not been in a position to increase payments since. In fact, things have got much worse but I've continued to pay £1 to all of them every month.

In the next few months, we will be increasing our income (at last!) and will have around £300 that we could use to put towards our debts monthly.

When researching our options, I came across Galahad & Co who are consumer debt lawyers. They looked at our situation and said they could confidently get all our debt written off for a fee of £249 a month for 18 months. Their reviews are good and it seems like a good option for us, all debt written off in 18 months.

Does anyone have any experience of working with them or any other consumer debt lawyers? Is it a good idea? Are there better options? 

Thanks 😊

Naomim

From looking at their website they will be charging you for simple steps you can take yourself.

You can ask for CCA requests proving the debt is enforceable and so on yourself and save sending them a lot of money.

blueconker

Naomim said:

From looking at their website they will be charging you for simple steps you can take yourself.

You can ask for CCA requests proving the debt is enforceable and so on yourself and save sending them a lot of money.

Ahhh great, this is exactly the type of reply I was looking for. I did all of the negotiating with my creditors for £1 month payment plans, so am capable of doing it. How successful do you think it would be without the backing of a lawyer though and do you know where I can get info on how to do it? Thank you 

EssexHebridean

Where can you get information to do it? I'd try the Debt Free wannabe boards on MSE if I were you....Oh, hang on!

Seriously though - you ARE in the right place - have a browse through the announcement posts at the top of the board for lots of useful info/template letters etc, and one of the regulars whose area is CCA's etc will no doubt be along shortly. 

One thing I do know is that you absolutely do NOT need "the backing of a lawyer" - and certainly not one that's going to charge you £4500 or thereabouts! 

fatbelly

In the small print:

CLB Direct Limited does not conduct any regulated activity, including regulated debt advice, claims management services, debt management or debt negotiating. We do not conduct any reserved legal activities and do not hold any client money. The legal advice that we give is unregulated. 

blueconker

EssexHebridean said:

Where can you get information to do it? I'd try the Debt Free wannabe boards on MSE if I were you....Oh, hang on!

Seriously though - you ARE in the right place - have a browse through the announcement posts at the top of the board for lots of useful info/template letters etc, and one of the regulars whose area is CCA's etc will no doubt be along shortly. 

One thing I do know is that you absolutely do NOT need "the backing of a lawyer" - and certainly not one that's going to charge you £4500 or thereabouts! 

Lols, thanks 😊  kinda knew I was probably in the right place but wasn't sure what to look for. Now I know!

Thanks also for reassurance that I don't need back up to get this sorted, I'll give it a shot by myself and with the help of anyone who has any advice 😊

blueconker

fatbelly said:

In the small print:

CLB Direct Limited does not conduct any regulated activity, including regulated debt advice, claims management services, debt management or debt negotiating. We do not conduct any reserved legal activities and do not hold any client money. The legal advice that we give is unregulated. 

Thank you, I knew really that it probably wasn't the most efficient way of getting this sorted but, in all honesty, I don't really know what to look for or do at this point. I am grateful for experts who do 😊

EssexHebridean

To reiterate to anyone else who might be reading this - in the first instance, at least, it should never form part of your plan to pay for debt advice - there are several options out there of reputable charities etc offering this service for free. There are debt solutions for which a charge will be made, but those are only suitable for a relatively small proportion of those in debt. 

Jude57

Just to echo the previous posters, these companies don't have any magic wand. If there was a one size fits all solution to problem debt the reputable experts at CAB, StepChange, Payplan would know about it and would be using it. Anyone claiming to know a secret way to clear debt is a liar and a charlatan. Anyone claiming to offer unregulated legal advice should be investigated and prosecuted where appropriate. I have today reported this company to Trading Standards and the Law Society. I spent my career working with highly qualified, highly regulated legal professionals and this type of unregulated flummery makes me furious.

Let them sue me if anything I have said is untrue.

blueconker

Jude57 said:

Just to echo the previous posters, these companies don't have any magic wand. If there was a one size fits all solution to problem debt the reputable experts at CAB, StepChange, Payplan would know about it and would be using it. Anyone claiming to know a secret way to clear debt is a liar and a charlatan. Anyone claiming to offer unregulated legal advice should be investigated and prosecuted where appropriate. I have today reported this company to Trading Standards and the Law Society. I spent my career working with highly qualified, highly regulated legal professionals and this type of unregulated flummery makes me furious.

Let them sue me if anything I have said is untrue.

I'm so glad I asked now. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop me from making more mess 🙂

Jude57

No problem @blueconker. All of us here were new to this at some point. You've nothing to reproach yourself for, and now you're in a better financial position, even if all your debt turns out to be enforceable, there's a (legitimate) way to deal with it. Posters here have lots of experience and helpful advice. If you get a bit stuck or worried, just ask and you'll get lots of support.

As a starting point, while waiting to see what's enforceable, why not get your Statement of Affairs (SOA) together and post it up for us to see where you're starting from? Make it realistic, not aspirational, and remember, it can be tweaked as many times as it takes until it's sustainable in getting you debt free.

Just a final point, I don't expect my reporting this one company will have much impact on these types of firms, but a few years ago there were numerous dodgy IVA companies around and it was complaints about their practices that eventually got them closed down. Sadly, there will always be unscrupulous people trying to make money out of other people's misery so it's a bit like Whack a Mole but still worth the effort.

Good luck!