Just an addition to the thread. The Limitation Act 1980 sets out the rules on how long a creditor has to take action against you for a debt i.e. take you to court. The time limits are different, depending on the type of debt that you have. Under the Limitations Act 1980 the time limits are simple contracts 6 years, contracts under seal, 12 years.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued
debt collection
guidance which looks at whether a debt is being collected fairly. They say:
It is unfair to pursue the debt if you have heard nothing from the creditor for 6 years.
The OFT thinks it is fair to keep trying to recover the debt if the creditor has been in regular contact with you during this time.
It is unfair to mislead you be saying the debt is still legally recoverable when it isn’t.
It is unfair to keep pressing for payment after you have told them you won’t be paying the debt because it is
statute barred
.
If the creditor has been to court and there is a
county court
Judgment outstanding, then you cannot use the Limitation Act to dispute you owe the debt. It does not matter how many years ago the creditor went to court, the
county court
Judgment will still exist. The creditor may not be able to enforce the Judgment without the court's permission if the Judgment is over six years old.