Lifechanging Help Needed For Multiple Debts

x2dvyz

I would appreciate your assistance in what is a complex situation, thank you in advance.

Multiple credit card/loans debts were accrued in 2018 totaling £60k. I now live abroad (outside EU), and have no personal assets. 

Four separate CCJ's have been issued in 2020 for a total amount of approx £14k. Since 2018, I have not lived in the UK, I emigrated, with no intention of returning to the UK for the foreseeable future. I cannot receive physical mail the last six years, but regularly get the debt collection emails from a multitude of collectors. 

The six-year period has just passed in the last few weeks, and accounts have been disappearing from Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. 

One debt collection company holds four separate accounts. Some have CCJ's however one large one they control is not, worth approx £17k.

I believe I can claim its statute barred. I have never called one of these companies, or written to them, frankly I am terrified and do not know what to say.  I fear they will pressure me about the other CCJ debts, and might defend the £17k debt somehow.

What do I do, should I ignore them or approach them? Would really appreciate some help.  If I could obtain statute barred for that large one, it would help my future a lot. 

Thank you.
 

Grumpelstiltskin

Do you intend to return to live in the UK?

If not just ignore them, nothing will happen outside the UK.

x2dvyz

I may have to return to the UK at some point...so I would rather convert the non-CCJ accounts into Statute Barred status if possible...

Grumpelstiltskin

When did you last pay the £17 k debt?

x2dvyz

Early 2018 

Grumpelstiltskin

OK So if it was before August 2018 it will be statute barred now.

You are best to ignore everything, don't pick the spot and it will go away.

Andyjflet

As above, I would wait this out. 

fatbelly

The ccjs issued in 2020 will be unenforceable except on specific order of the court after the relevant date in 2026

They will also drop off your credit file at that point

sourcrates

You won`t be stopped at customs for debt, as its a civil matter, you can come and go as you please, no one will be looking for you.

Consumer debt is not chased outside of UK borders, so the debts status is really immaterial to your everyday life, the computer just spits out collection letters/emails etc on a regular basis.

If you were to return to the UK for any period of time, and you received any letters, then you can comment on their status, to whoever wrote to you.

x2dvyz

I am concerned the debt collectors will file CCJ's even though the six-year period has passed. I cannot receive mail in the UK, which would mean I would not be able to defend it, as I would not know it has been filed, and I cannot receive mail at the registered address they have. Therefore I would hypothetically not be able to attend court, or defend myself - therefore the CCJ would be given.

If further CCJ's are given, and I have to come back to the UK in the future at some point, I would be screwed.

Is my line of thinking correct?  Does the advice you kindly provided to ignore still stick, or now changed based on this info?
  
Appreciate you all, thanks. 

RAS

If a CCJ is issued after the 6 year period, you go back to the court to ask for it to be set aside, on the grounds that:

the creditor knew the debt was statute barred
you were unable to defend on those grounds at the time as you are no longer resident.

Costs about £245 at present. No big deal. 

And you could check your credit records before you return so you can deal with it promptly.