Council Tax Citizen Arrest

In January 2013 I was being pursued for council tax arrears from a different council to the one I was then covered by. I was told I needed to attend court and I explained I had a mental illness and would not be able to .The gentleman said I would need a letter from my GP but never believed I had a mental illness. I have bipolar PTSD and GAD. I am in receipt of ESA and get the severe disability supplement and receive the enhanced rate of PIP. To try and keep things short , I was on the way to my GP to collect the letter and the Councils agent (a court officer I think ) physically restrained me by holding me by both arms by my bicepts.Whilst holding me I was able to call on loud speaker on my phone , my GP who read out the letter so the gentleman could hear the call giving my diagnosis and the several medications I was on and saying currently I was not well enough to attend court (I still have that letter) The police arrived took me to the GP where I collected the letter was taken back to my street and told by the police to go back inside my house . I heard nothing from the council there after but they did deduct money from my benefits .I have recently realised that I may be exempt from council tax due to severe mental illness which I have been diagnosed with for over 20 years .How should I proceed ?

Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    Where a court officer is involved they will likely be a court appointed bailiff with an arrest warrant - they do have the powers to detain a person and take them to the court although they will call the police for assistance if required.
    I have recently realised that I may be exempt from council tax due to severe mental illness which I have been diagnosed with for over 20 years
    Apply to the council for a SMI disregard. Any discount or exemption can then be looked at.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
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