Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Looks like a lost cause

Hi Does anyone know anything about the legallity of gym contracts? My son had a contract for a specified 1 year from 2 January 2006 to 2 January 2007, then forgot to give the 3 months notice to cancel his membership, (as detailed in the small print) Since the expiry date the gym had taken 6 months worth of payments totalling £270 from his account before he realised and cancelled the direct debit. When he finally did get around to advising them he didn't want to renew his membership and that he had cancelled his direct debit they insisted on another 3 months payments for the notice period. How legal is this? and how strong would be their case if he refused to pay any more money.

Thank you so much, I have just done exactly what you have said. does it mean that Natwest do not send their soclicitors the schedule of charges they received from me originally.

I have no idea why this has posted 3 times.

Hi I'm back again, sorry for the delay but I needed to bring the papers to work. I'm a bit calmer now and the panic is subsiding, so I have attached a copy of their letter. Now I need to know are the solicitors trying to imply they do not have enough detail even though I had listed the charges by type/date incurred/amount and interest calculated. My next question is do I need to respond to them or sent the details to the court as my original claim was done on-line and they probably do not have the breakdown that was sent to Natwest. I very much appreciate any help and advice you can give DEFENCE 1 This Defence is filed and served without prejudice to the Defendant’s case that the Particulars of Claim do not disclose reasonable grounds for bringing a claim against the Defendant to recover the bank charges (and interest thereon) referred to in the Particulars of Claim or any other sum(s). In the event that the Claim is not properly particularised then the Defendant will apply to strike out the claim and/or for summary judgement in respect of the same. 2 On allocation the Defendant invites the court to direct that there be a case management conference in order for the court to consider the making of appropriate orders to give the Claimant the opportunity to properly particularise the claim. 3 No admissions are made as to what charges have been debited to the Claimant’s bank account. 4 In relation to the allegation that the bank charges amount to an unenforceable penalty the Defendant pleads as follows: 4.1 In order for the Claimant to sustain a claim that the charges debited by the Defendant are in the nature of a penalty the Claimant will need to plead and prove (a) the clause(s) pursuant to which the charges were applied; (b) that the charges were applied due to a breach of contract by the Claimant; and © identifying in each case the particular breach of contract (by reference to appropriate term(s) of the contract) that the charge related to. As presently pleaded the claim does not plead these matters and therefore does not disclose reasonable grounds for bringing a claim that all or any of the charges referred to in the Particulars of Claim have been applied pursuant to an unenforceable penalty clause. 4.2 Until such time as the Claimant pleads the matters referred to in paragraph 4.1 above the Defendant is unable to plead to the claim brought against it and therefore (pending the provision of full and proper particulars of the claim) at this stage denies that any charges have been applied to the Claimant’s bank account pursuant to unenforceable penalty clauses. 5 In relation to the allegation that the contractual provisions pursuant to which the charges have been applied are invalid pursuant to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (“the Regulations”). 5.1 The Claimant is required to identify the contractual provision(s) that the Claimant alleges are invalid by reference to the Regulations. Until such time as these provisions are identified the Defendant cannot (save as appears below) plead to the allegation referred to in paragraph 5 above. The Defendant therefore reserves its right to plead further to the allegation once (and if) the Claimant identifies the relevant contractual provisions. 5.2 In relation to the case of the Claimant that the contractual provisions are invalid pursuant to the Regulations the Defendant pleads as follows: 5.2.1 Schedule 2 to the Regulations is an Indicative and non- exhaustive list of terms which gy be regarded as unfair (emphasis supplied). 5.2.2 If the Claimant is to rely upon paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations then the Claimant is required to plead and prove in relation to each bank charge that is sought the mailers referred to in paragraph 5.1 above and all facts and mailers relied upon in alleging that the sums paid are disproportionately high. 5.2.3 In the circumstances no grounds are disclosed for a claim that the contractual provisions (whatever they are alleged to be — see paragraph 5.1 above) falls foul of the Regulations and in particular paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 2. 5.2.4 The Defendant is therefore unable (save as appears below) to plead to this allegation beyond denying that any bank charges have been applied pursuant to terms which contravene the Regulations. The Defendant reserves its right to plead further to this allegation once (and if) the particulars referred to in paragraph 5.2.2 above are provided. 5.2.5 Without prejudice to paragraph 5.2.4 it is the case of the Defendant that the Regulations have no application because the charges amount to payment for services provided by the Defendant and the adequacy (or otherwise) of consideration paid under a contract for services is not an issue to be judged by reference to principles of fairness under the Regulations. 6 Save as hereinbefore appears the Defendant joins issue with the Claimant on the claim(s) and denies that it is liable to the Claimant as alleged or at all. Statement of Truth The Defendant believes that the facts stated in this Defence are true. I am duly authorised by the Defendant to sign this statement. Full name: Lynsey Clare Burgoyne Name of Defendants solicitor’s firm: Cobbetts LLP, 58 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ (Ref: LCB/RR01362.5053) Signed Defendant’s Solicitor DATED this 01 day of June 2007

Hi I'm back again, sorry for the delay but I needed to bring the papers to work. I'm DEFENCE 1 This Defence is filed and served without prejudice to the Defendant’s case that the Particulars of Claim do not disclose reasonable grounds for bringing a claim against the Defendant to recover the bank charges (and interest thereon) referred to in the Particulars of Claim or any other sum(s). In the event that the Claim is not properly particularised then the Defendant will apply to strike out the claim and/or for summary judgement in respect of the same. 2 On allocation the Defendant invites the court to direct that there be a case management conference in order for the court to consider the making of appropriate orders to give the Claimant the opportunity to properly particularise the claim. 3 No admissions are made as to what charges have been debited to the Claimant’s bank account. 4 In relation to the allegation that the bank charges amount to an unenforceable penalty the Defendant pleads as follows: 4.1 In order for the Claimant to sustain a claim that the charges debited by the Defendant are in the nature of a penalty the Claimant will need to plead and prove (a) the clause(s) pursuant to which the charges were applied; (b) that the charges were applied due to a breach of contract by the Claimant; and © identifying in each case the particular breach of contract (by reference to appropriate term(s) of the contract) that the charge related to. As presently pleaded the claim does not plead these matters and therefore does not disclose reasonable grounds for bringing a claim that all or any of the charges referred to in the Particulars of Claim have been applied pursuant to an unenforceable penalty clause. 4.2 Until such time as the Claimant pleads the matters referred to in paragraph 4.1 above the Defendant is unable to plead to the claim brought against it and therefore (pending the provision of full and proper particulars of the claim) at this stage denies that any charges have been applied to the Claimant’s bank account pursuant to unenforceable penalty clauses. 5 In relation to the allegation that the contractual provisions pursuant to which the charges have been applied are invalid pursuant to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (“the Regulations”). 5.1 The Claimant is required to identify the contractual provision(s) that the Claimant alleges are invalid by reference to the Regulations. Until such time as these provisions are identified the Defendant cannot (save as appears below) plead to the allegation referred to in paragraph 5 above. The Defendant therefore reserves its right to plead further to the allegation once (and if) the Claimant identifies the relevant contractual provisions. 5.2 In relation to the case of the Claimant that the contractual provisions are invalid pursuant to the Regulations the Defendant pleads as follows: 5.2.1 Schedule 2 to the Regulations is an Indicative and non- exhaustive list of terms which gy be regarded as unfair (emphasis supplied). 5.2.2 If the Claimant is to rely upon paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations then the Claimant is required to plead and prove in relation to each bank charge that is sought the mailers referred to in paragraph 5.1 above and all facts and mailers relied upon in alleging that the sums paid are disproportionately high. 5.2.3 In the circumstances no grounds are disclosed for a claim that the contractual provisions (whatever they are alleged to be — see paragraph 5.1 above) falls foul of the Regulations and in particular paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 2. 5.2.4 The Defendant is therefore unable (save as appears below) to plead to this allegation beyond denying that any bank charges have been applied pursuant to terms which contravene the Regulations. The Defendant reserves its right to plead further to this allegation once (and if) the particulars referred to in paragraph 5.2.2 above are provided. 5.2.5 Without prejudice to paragraph 5.2.4 it is the case of the Defendant that the Regulations have no application because the charges amount to payment for services provided by the Defendant and the adequacy (or otherwise) of consideration paid under a contract for services is not an issue to be judged by reference to principles of fairness under the Regulations. 6 Save as hereinbefore appears the Defendant joins issue with the Claimant on the claim(s) and denies that it is liable to the Claimant as alleged or at all. Statement of Truth The Defendant believes that the facts stated in this Defence are true. I am duly authorised by the Defendant to sign this statement. Full name: Lynsey Clare Burgoyne Name of Defendants solicitor’s firm: Cobbetts LLP, 58 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ (Ref: LCB/RR01362.5053) Signed Defendant’s Solicitor DATED this 01 day of June 2007

Hi I'm DEFENCE 1 This Defence is filed and served without prejudice to the Defendant’s case that the Particulars of Claim do not disclose reasonable grounds for bringing a claim against the Defendant to recover the bank charges (and interest thereon) referred to in the Particulars of Claim or any other sum(s). In the event that the Claim is not properly particularised then the Defendant will apply to strike out the claim and/or for summary judgement in respect of the same. 2 On allocation the Defendant invites the court to direct that there be a case management conference in order for the court to consider the making of appropriate orders to give the Claimant the opportunity to properly particularise the claim. 3 No admissions are made as to what charges have been debited to the Claimant’s bank account. 4 In relation to the allegation that the bank charges amount to an unenforceable penalty the Defendant pleads as follows: 4.1 In order for the Claimant to sustain a claim that the charges debited by the Defendant are in the nature of a penalty the Claimant will need to plead and prove (a) the clause(s) pursuant to which the charges were applied; (b) that the charges were applied due to a breach of contract by the Claimant; and © identifying in each case the particular breach of contract (by reference to appropriate term(s) of the contract) that the charge related to. As presently pleaded the claim does not plead these matters and therefore does not disclose reasonable grounds for bringing a claim that all or any of the charges referred to in the Particulars of Claim have been applied pursuant to an unenforceable penalty clause. 4.2 Until such time as the Claimant pleads the matters referred to in paragraph 4.1 above the Defendant is unable to plead to the claim brought against it and therefore (pending the provision of full and proper particulars of the claim) at this stage denies that any charges have been applied to the Claimant’s bank account pursuant to unenforceable penalty clauses. 5 In relation to the allegation that the contractual provisions pursuant to which the charges have been applied are invalid pursuant to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (“the Regulations”). 5.1 The Claimant is required to identify the contractual provision(s) that the Claimant alleges are invalid by reference to the Regulations. Until such time as these provisions are identified the Defendant cannot (save as appears below) plead to the allegation referred to in paragraph 5 above. The Defendant therefore reserves its right to plead further to the allegation once (and if) the Claimant identifies the relevant contractual provisions. 5.2 In relation to the case of the Claimant that the contractual provisions are invalid pursuant to the Regulations the Defendant pleads as follows: 5.2.1 Schedule 2 to the Regulations is an Indicative and non- exhaustive list of terms which gy be regarded as unfair (emphasis supplied). 5.2.2 If the Claimant is to rely upon paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations then the Claimant is required to plead and prove in relation to each bank charge that is sought the mailers referred to in paragraph 5.1 above and all facts and mailers relied upon in alleging that the sums paid are disproportionately high. 5.2.3 In the circumstances no grounds are disclosed for a claim that the contractual provisions (whatever they are alleged to be — see paragraph 5.1 above) falls foul of the Regulations and in particular paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 2. 5.2.4 The Defendant is therefore unable (save as appears below) to plead to this allegation beyond denying that any bank charges have been applied pursuant to terms which contravene the Regulations. The Defendant reserves its right to plead further to this allegation once (and if) the particulars referred to in paragraph 5.2.2 above are provided. 5.2.5 Without prejudice to paragraph 5.2.4 it is the case of the Defendant that the Regulations have no application because the charges amount to payment for services provided by the Defendant and the adequacy (or otherwise) of consideration paid under a contract for services is not an issue to be judged by reference to principles of fairness under the Regulations. 6 Save as hereinbefore appears the Defendant joins issue with the Claimant on the claim(s) and denies that it is liable to the Claimant as alleged or at all. Statement of Truth The Defendant believes that the facts stated in this Defence are true. I am duly authorised by the Defendant to sign this statement. Full name: Lynsey Clare Burgoyne Name of Defendants solicitor’s firm: Cobbetts LLP, 58 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ (Ref: LCB/RR01362.5053) Signed Defendant’s Solicitor DATED this 01 day of June 2007

Thanks for your encourangement. I will try and paste the original document on Monday.

Hi everbody I have joined this action group because I could do with some help and advice regarding claiming bank charges. I went through the motions of writing to the bank using templates published in the press (very useful). Having not received any reply after 3 letters from mid Feb to end April I proceeded to claim via the on-line court service. The bank has employed solicitors who have sent me a copy of their defence. Now I'm stuck as the legal jargon is completely beyond me. Does anyone know where I can get a translation, without going to a solicitor myself as this would likely cost more than my claim? Any suggestions or

I have only joined this forum today, and am pretty computer illiterate. I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean by starting a new thread in the bank section. What section am I in now? I'm finding it difficult to negoiate this site.

I am also claiming charges from Natwest via the same route as you. On the last day given by the court Natwest acknowledge the claim, this then gave them 28 days to contest the claim, which they have done via a solicitor. That's where I,m at and is the reason I have joined this forum because I don't understand the solicitors letter

Hi everbody I have joined this action group because I could do with some help and advice regarding claiming bank charges. I went through the motions of writing to the bank using templates published in the press (very useful). Having not received any reply after 3 letters from mid Feb to end April I proceeded to claim via the on-line court service. The bank has employed solicitors who have sent me a copy of their defence. Now I'm stuck as the legal jargon is completely beyond me. Does anyone know where I can get a translation, without going to a solicitor myself as this would likely cost more than my claim? Any suggestions or advice from those who have already experienced this would be most appreciated.