Really sorry to hear how this turned out for you. I guess it just goes to show how much of a lottery it is when it comes to the judges and how they interpret matters?

Should there be an entry on MCOL regarding the discontinuance? I've just checked and there's nothing.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. Whether that be with words of advice & guidance, or simple encouragement - it's been a great help. Thank you. I'll be sure to update the thread should anything develop - but I'm hoping this is the end of it!

Thanks WW! I certainly hope so. I'm in touch with a couple of ex-colleagues who are at various stages of the same action. One of which is being chased for a five-figure sum! Andy, don't be offended if I hope to never have to come back here again!

Do I need to consider/worry about any claim on their part for their costs?

So, with regard to the above, unless Centrica can show the court that they have some new 'evidence' (not just the same stuff they've provided so far), then this should be over...? If they re-claim, with the same arguments, I can apply to have it thrown out?

N279 Redacted attached. Do I need to do anything now? Do I need to acknowledge receipt? Will the court send me correspondence to confirm? N279 Redacted.pdf

I received an email this morning from CST Law. I'm just trying to open the attachment now, but the main body says this... Does this mean they're backing off? If so, can I draw a line under the whole event, or could they come back at me again...?

No later than 14 days before the hearing date. Claimant has to pay the hearing fee by 16:00 on the 12th April.

I received a N157 Notice of Allocation to the Smalls Claim Track (Hearing) dated 10th March. The hearing is set for 10th May.

It's started! I have briefly outlined my position, in that I do not recall signing any contract relating to the costs of the training bond and the claimant has not been able to provide any evidence that I did; and that I am therefore unwilling to agree to any payment. The mediator is now calling the claimant/their representative/CST Law... There is a little voice in my head saying if they offer to settle for something in the 100s, then to do so to avoid the court lottery.

So what does 'allocation' actually mean then? I have mediation tomorrow morning. Any more advice on what I can expect? It's my intention to state that as Centrica have been unable to provide a signed copy of the training bond contract, I am unwilling to agree to any payments.

I've searched my emails and have one from 22nd October 2022. 'Please see attached herewith the Claimant’s application to lift the stay of the claim, and draft order.' With copies of the N244 and draft order.

Could I confirm my course of action then: Mediation Reply to the courts email confirming I can answer yes to the three points below: 'Turn up' to the appointment and state that as the claimant cannot provide any signed paperwork showing I accepted the specific terms and conditions of the training bond I am unwilling to pay anything. Claimant's Offer Do not respond to CST's email with the settlement offer, not even to reject it? County Court Letters I received a N149A (dated 19th Dec '22) asking me to complete a N180 by 7th Jan '23 - which I did (but was posted a week late). I received a N24 General Form of Judgement Order (dated 31st Jan '23) instructing me to return a N180 within 7 days (did this via email). MCOL Timeline

Thank you. It seems this just won't go away and Centrica are intent on getting money out of ex-engineers and are more than willing to go to court to do so. Well, after several months of very little to report (I stopped all comms, as did they) Centrica got the ball rolling again just before Christmas. I received a "Letter of Proposed Allocation to the Small Claims Track" instructing me to fill in a N180 form, which I did, but I was a little late. Centrica have had the stay lifted, referral for a filing of directions questionnaire and "requesting the court grant an order in the terms sought". As I was a few days late, I received an other letter at the end of January giving me another 7 days to send in the Directions Questionnaire, which I did via email (I also attached the proof of postage for the earlier submission). I ticked the box to say I was willing to go to mediation. While this was happening, I was in email communication with CST Law repeatedly asking for copies of all the paperwork (from Centrica) that I signed at the training centre during my initial training. There was lots of it, lots of signatures, but no copies given to us. I'm sure some of that paperwork was in relation to our employment contract, but some was just signing off the various stages of training - none has been forthcoming. Then, finally, after several weeks, months even, I get an email from CST on 13th February 2023, reporting "Please be advised that our client has advised us that they hold no further documents on record." They also proposed a settlement: "Nevertheless, in an attempt to resolve the matter, we are writing to you with a view to propose an offer of settlement in the total sum of £3065.50 (“the offer”). The offer is put forward on the basis that each party bear their own costs and is open for acceptance for 14 days from the date of this letter." The same day, I received an email from the Courts with a date for mediation, which is next Tuesday, 21st February, with the following caveats: Please read the following statements - mediation is only available if you can answer yes to all 3: I am willing to negotiate on the amount of the claim and I will consider a compromise. I have enough information about the claim to enter into negotiations and do not require any further evidence from the other party before starting mediation. I’m available for the entire time slot on the date of my appointment. If you cannot answer yes to all 3 statements, mediation is NOT suitable for your case and you should contact us: [email protected] When I submitted the form, I was willing to mediate, if Centrica could provide signed proof I had agreed to the specific terms of the training bond (as outlined in one of the unsigned pages them sent me). However, as they have been unable to do so, I am now of a mind to continue contesting the whole claim and therefore mediation surely becomes unsuitable? It is my defence (and always has been) that they do not have any signed paperwork showing I agreed to the specifics of the training bond. The digital signature given at the very beginning was me accepting the offer of employment and the training bond section was not with it. It may have been provided months later at the training centre, but Centrica say they have no paperwork from that period. I have been in touch with another CAG member in the same situation as myself and whilst he hasn't updated his thread, he has told me Centrica took him to court and they lost. The judge found that as Centrica couldn't provide a signed copy of the training bond contract, there was no contract (a brief summary in my words, not theirs). But there is also a thread on here where it went the other way - so it's still a gamble for me! Is it worth considering making a low-ball offer to avoid court? Like, £300? Thank you if you've stayed with me thus far. I'm now asking for advice on my next steps. How do I respond to Centrica's settlement offer? (How do I word a refusal?) How do I respond to the mediation email? (How do I word a cancellation, if I should?)