Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
The book is easy to understand and clearly explains the rights
a bailiff has, and also what they cannot do when collecting debts and repossessing goods etc.
Yesterday I received a statement from my son's after school club for £26.00.
My son left the school in question in July 2005, he only attended one day a week and I always paid at the end of the month in cash, I got the invoices signed as paid when I cleared the balance, last week I had a big clear out and shredded them
The statement I received yesterday had no dates on it, the statement had numbe 7 on it which to me indicated that they had been chasing before, all it had was a B/F balance no reference to any invoice etc there was also a letter enclosed
Dear Mrs X
Please find attached a statement of accounts for X X fees. We are anxious to clear any outstanding amounts, so would be greatful if you would check your own records and forward payment as necessary by return.
If you have any queries about invoices or payments made, please contact me between X X weekdays.
So I called the school and advised that I owed them nothing that I paid in full and this must have been a mistake, it turns out that I am not the only person to have received a letter one of my neighbours who's child never attended the after school club received one when she called she was told it was a mistake, my other neighbour who's child has funding for the club due to a disability also got a letter, the local authority funds his place, so that's three of us I know of.
When I called I was asked do you remember this invoice and do you remember xxx well I don't it was nealy two years ago, I think to be honest they have a new guy in and a new computer system and they are in a mess with un-allocated payments etc so the easiest way was to send letters to everyone and hope they pay.
From my point it's only £26 but I don't see why I should pay again.
Can anyone advise me if there is any legal deadlines they can start chasing for outstanding fee's if they have never before
Applied Abbey statements -40 day up 24/04/06(arrived 30/06/06)
Prem 04/01/2007 - reply rcvd 22nd Jan advising not paying
LBA 22/01/07
14/02/07 N1 filed @ local court
21/02/07 issued claim
23/02/07 deemed served
25/02/07 Abbey acknowledgement defend in full.
19/03/07 defence + 50% GOGW
13/04/07 AQ final day for submission
30/04/07 DEFENCE STRUCK OUT "ABUSE OF PROCESS"
01/05/07 Judgement order