British Gas - Money claim letter

TommyTBFC

Afternoon all. 

I have been in this forum in the past for my own debt free journey which has gone fantastic! 

Unfortunately my partner has took accountability for bills & after hours getting cut at work has struggled for money unbeknownst to myself. 

Unfortunately we have got a letter of “money claim” against us from British Gas via a solicitor which I cannot remember the name of. 

It’s not a lot of money £500 there abouts, but what do I do from here? 

Can I go directly back to British Gas with an offer of repayment? Or back to the solicitor with one? Or do I have to fill all their forms in etc which I’d rather not do. 

I’m not disputing this debt, I’m willing to pay it off but just need some direction 

Grumpelstiltskin

Is the form one that has to be sent back within 30 days?

If it is and you ignore it a CCJ will be issued by default.

TommyTBFC

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Is the form one that has to be sent back within 30 days?

If it is and you ignore it a CCJ will be issued by default.

Hi, yes I believe so. 

Obviously I’m avoiding it coming to this at all costs. 

I’ll be contacting British Gas tomorrow & solicitors flint & bishop too to see if an repayment offer can be sorted out.

GrumpyDil

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Is the form one that has to be sent back within 30 days?

If it is and you ignore it a CCJ will be issued by default.

OP needs to be clearer on what the letter is. If it is from a solicitor giving 30 days to contact them to settle the debt or they will issue a county court claim then that indicates in 30 days time they will issue a county court claim. The 30 day letter by itself doesn't result in a CCJ without court action.

QrizB

GrumpyDil said:

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Is the form one that has to be sent back within 30 days?

If it is and you ignore it a CCJ will be issued by default.

OP needs to be clearer on what the letter is. If it is from a solicitor giving 30 days to contact them to settle the debt or they will issue a county court claim then that indicates in 30 days time they will issue a county court claim. 

Agreed.

OP is it a letter from a solicitor or is it a form from the court service?

TommyTBFC

Hi all, 

the letter is from HM courts & tribunals service. 

However, I have spoken to British Gas who have accepted monthly payments from myself. 

QrizB

TommyTBFC said:
the letter is from HM courts & tribunals service. 

In which case, I think you'll need to follow through with the process until BG (or their agents) drop the claim. Otherwise they'll win by default and you'll end up with a CCJ.

sourcrates

TommyTBFC said:

Hi all, 

the letter is from HM courts & tribunals service. 

However, I have spoken to British Gas who have accepted monthly payments from myself. 

Yes but please be more specific, is it a claim form, or a letter before action with a 30 day return window???

Either way you must follow through with the court process or as said above, you risk a CCJ by default.

TommyTBFC

sourcrates said:

TommyTBFC said:

Hi all, 

the letter is from HM courts & tribunals service. 

However, I have spoken to British Gas who have accepted monthly payments from myself. 

Yes but please be more specific, is it a claim form, or a letter before action with a 30 day return window???

Either way you must follow through with the court process or as said above, you risk a CCJ by default.

Hi, this is a claim form. 

sourcrates

Fill in the court papers, especially the section that asks if you have made payment arrangements with the creditor.

Make certain you return the papers within the allotted timeframe, or you do risk getting a CCJ by default.

GrumpyDil

This sounds worryingly like an actual CCJ. If it is even if OP makes an arrangement to pay won't that end up on the register of CCJs as thirty days to pay sounds like the usual time you have to pay a CCJ to stop it being recorded. 

OP can I suggest you post a redacted copy of the letter as that is the only way you are going to get an accurate view on what you have received.