JC International made a false claim

shinya

Suddenly in Feb 2025 I received a letter from the county court that I owe over £1000 to JC International. When I called the court, I was advised that it was related to a debt with Thames Water that JC bought in 2022. 
I lived in a flat in London in 2015 where I had a dispute over the water bill with Thames Water. In 2016 I left the place but forgot to inform the company. I told the court I am disputing the claim because I dont owe the money. I called BW Legal and also told them that I dont owe any money to their client, JC.
Can JC/BW legal make a claim to the county court after 9 years over a fictitious amount without providing any evidence to me?
Thanks in advance for advice.

GingerTim

shinya said:

I lived in a flat in London in 2015 where I had a dispute over the water bill with Thames Water. In 2016 I left the place but forgot to inform the company.

When you say this, I presume you mean you left the property without paying a final bill or settling the dispute with Thames?

On the face of it it sounds like they might be beyond the six years they have to pursue this - but there are exceptions. And you may find the debt remains on your credit file even if they are statute-barred from pursuing you for it.

Have a look at https://nationaldebtline.org/get-information/guides/statute-barred-debts-ew/

fatbelly

Yes, if you don't defend the claim.

It sounds like jci have obtained a county court judgement against you.

Normally this is straightforward to apply for setaside on an N244 provided you

Have a reason that you did not defend the claim
Act promptly
Have a defence with a reasonable chance of success

The process is set out here

https://nationaldebtline.org/get-information/guides/setting-aside-a-ccj-ew/

Ps. Apart from your other arguments the claim would be statute barred under s5 of the Limitation Act 1980 (more than 6 years after the cause of action and no acknowledgement)

fatbelly

Do you want this to be moved to debt free wannabe?