I have received notification, (17 May) that First Direct my bank are going to defend two actions I have initiated against them in the small claims court. I doubt that they will turn up on the day and may settle by phone a day or so before the court hearings. The point i am making is that if the bank wants to drag it's feet then that's fine by me. I have kept meticulous records of the time i have spent on the two claims and will continue you to so do until the hearings. What I know for certain is that I will be seeking additional financial redress from the bank via the court at the rate of £9 per hour, so far I have put in 22 hours. I come from the Erwin Rommel school of bank customer and treat the banks as the enemy, ( following Evan Davies view of them) and will fire at them with an 88mm howitzer until the battle is won.