Thanks, that looks interesting. Should I bother applying for hardship?! The money is several grand and I'd rather have that back than have interest frozen or something pathetic like that.

Also, I may be able to apply for hardship. Can you still get most of your money back this way or do they just set up repayment plans, lower interest etc. I'd obviously much rather have the money!

I want to know if I should even bother continuing my claim?!?! The last I heard RBOS sent me a letter saying it was on hold for the test case. They haven't sent me anything since, which I think is peculiar, but I can still pursue the claim right? Should I bother?

Thanks, I didn't know I could apply the HSBC guide to it. I haven't got anything listed as "total charges" or "notified fees" as the guide refers to though. If I make a minor mistake in calculating interest or charges I presume this won't be justification to lose the case? I'm just worried because there is so much money involved and it is hard to figure everything out. Plus my Mum lost the first 4 pages of bank statements so I won't be claiming for them by the looks of it!

Help please!

Everything was listed as 'charges' and I've listed some of the details below. referral charge for march £60 19apr a/c (then account number) £20 18 jul a/c (then acc no.) £8.33 unpaid items s/o £1800 (payee name) £30 20 sep a/c (acc no) £38 referral charge for september £90 20 apr a/c (acc no) £40 unpaid items d/d £2,465.58 £38 O/draft arrgmt fee £100 4712.33 as of end of page £44 20apr a/c (acc no) £12 unpaid items (2 standing orders) £76 They cover the 6 year period from 10/04/02 to 08/04/08 (although my Mum lost the first four pages of statements for a few weeks before 10/04/02). It is an interest paying current account. I really am very grateful for your help, thanks.

I'll go through it this weekend mate and let you know (I don't have it where I'm working at the minute). Thanks for your help.

Wow, legend! Thanks for responding, I assumed no one was going to. Given that it's not that likely that I'll win the case now, should I just calculate it as best I can and send it off? If it goes to court and I'm slightly out, presumably I could state the correct amount in court?

Do I just take everything listed on as 'charges'? I've got ones for £12, £20, £30, £38, £40 £60, £76 (this for unpaid standing orders) £90, £100 (this 100 was for an 'overdraft arrangement fee). All of these appear to be accounted for here http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/royal-bank-scotland/4971-referal-charges-maintenance-charges.html apart from the £12, £20, £40, £76 and £100. Also can I just give them that total and tell them I will add interest when it's all done as I'm not sure how to do it and want to send my letter ASAP. The current state of my case is that I notified them of intention to claim and they put it on hold before the test case. I haven't heard from them since. Thanks.

My Mum was a doctor but has suffered from depression and alcoholism in the last few years. She moved into a new house during this time and has also split up from her husband. The final treatment she got for alcoholism was at a clinic that cost £7000. Even though she was a high earner, do you think this would qualify her for financial ombudsman? Also, I sent the notice of intention to claim to the bank last year, is that too late for application to financial ombudsman? Finally, will the financial ombudsman be likely to get much of the money back? It's £30k and I don't want to simple be told they will make a few allowances here and there but not give most of the money back. Also, if I do take the court route, the bank template letter states 'I am writing in response to your letter dated [insert date on the letter from the bank] in which you have advised my complaint about unfair bank charges is to be closed and have given me eight weeks to respond.' I haven't received such a letter but obviously the court case was over 8 weeks ago. Could the window to take them to court have closed?

Is there a danger of my claim lapsing between the time the OFT lost and whenever these templates are going to come out? I feel quite nervous just leaving everything as is :s

Thanks, I'll do that. I know when I go to court they are gonna fight it into the ground, given that it is one of the largest claims that I have ever seen.

Arghh, gutted about the case now. What shall I do next? I never applied to court because I received a letter from RBOS confirming acknowledgement of my claim and that it was put on hold. Should I follow the instructions here? The Consumer Forums - Announcements in Forum : General My two concerns are: 1: The original letter that was sent on my Mum's behalf probably didn't mention a specific clause that was violated (as the above template says you should refer to). 2: It sounds like it's not going to be clear cut in court and you guys have told me it could cost a lot to lose in court on a £30,000 claim!

K, will do. Thanks for your help everyone!

When you say can I afford it, do you mean if I lose the case I will have to pay a **** load of money?! Exactly that That is wounding. Is there a lawyer I can get to take the case on a big cut provided he takes any losses if he/she loses?! I can`t bear the thought that the people the bank screwed the most are the ones who are least likely to claim because of the potential costs of losing. I will be devastated if I`m scared out of claiming. We certainly can`t afford it because someone in my family is extremely ill and is having to pay for a lot of private treatment. You are already claiming and has been acknowledged by the bank Yea but I can still stop the claim at any point, I`m sure the bank wouldn`t mind! Given what you`ve said about the costs of losing, I don`t know if I can risk it. It`s bloody annoying considering my fear is not they are right but that they have slimy high-brow lawyers who can work their way out of anything. What could be the approximate maximum cost of losing? Do you guys think I should go for it? Thanks