Hi many thanks for all the help so far, it's appreciated. Advise wise i tried a solicitors that deal with legal aid. However they said that due to the amount of the claim (£1500) it would be best to defend this myself. I have picked up a form n244 -when completing this how do I get across the points made above? Also, to give a bit more detail of what happened; Back in 2002 my brother and mother asked if I could travel to pick up my brothers' car and look after it for a short time. My brother was about to be on trial, but said that he was not guilty and he would be able to collect the car back in a week. I went up and collected the car, my brother assured me that at the time the car had an MOT, I have fully comp'+ business insurance - therefore can drive any car with permission. I said to them that I would look after the car for a week, but was unable to do so beyond that time. I drove the car back to whre I was living at the time. This was bad as throughout the journey the roof was leaking, a window was broken and I was unhappy with condition of the brakes. I placed a week worth of parking vouchers on the car. After a week, my brother was sent to trial and on the day of verdict, broke all contact with my mother and was sent to prison for 3 years with no further communication. After a time the car was towed away by persons unknown. Have sent a letter asking my brother to outline the particulars of the claim so I can write a defence, but because he has not put any detail, still not sure what to write. As a sideline our mother has said she is happy to be a witness for me if required.

Hi everyone, just thought would update on progress so far. The claim is genuine and I have the dates for response and defence. I have sent off the acknowledgement of service. Not quite sure in a defence, as all the claimant has put in the details of claim section is "recovery of money to the value of £1500 for the theft and sale of a motor car belonging to the claimant" - this is all that is on the form. One thought I had in terms of defence; If the car was "stolen", surely county court is meant to be a form of last resort in recovering money. Therefore surely the court can go back to claimant and say why have you not claimed on your car insurance to get the money back? The answer to this is the claimant was driving the car uninsured and without a driving licence at the time. Would this key point have an influence on any defence I can write?? In terms of seeking advice, this site seems to be the only place most people can turn to. The CAB said they were unwilling and unable to advise and a solicitor would cost £200 + VAT per hour. Although am exploring the opportunity to claim legal aid to help, although I beleive my level of income is borderline for this.

thanks for the replies, I think this is greed and "wanting to get at me" sadly. Am not sure which appraoch to take. My former work are willing to send the letter back, saying that I have not worked there for 4 years. Also how would the court know whether or not the letter has been received? Or is it case that this does not matter. Am more than willing to defend the claim to, as I cannot see what proof there is to the claim. Am also a bit dismayed at how easy it is to put someone through the CC system with no proof. The legal advice seems a good idea, but I cannot afford this until the 15th June, even then it is ans expense my young family does not need.

Not sure if this is the right part of the forum or if anyone can help - but here goes??? A county court claim form has been sent in my name, to a former workplace I have left 4 years ago. This follows a letter, from my brother, again sent to the former workplace and phone calls saying he was a long lost relative and wanted to know how my baby was?? The claim is for £1500 after I alledgedly "stole" a car belonging to him. He tried to claim this event happened around September 2002, at the time the police did not pusue the matter as there was no evidence. They did not even question me at the time or since. Since then he has been in prison twice. The claim form states that he is claiming for the value of the car £1500, following "theft". Details on disputing the claim etc have been sent with the form. The form has court stamps on it, however the one with the date has been crossed out in pen, date changed, and is illegable. The postmark is May 30th. I have started to read a little on here and elsewhere on CC action / information, however am not sure where to turn?? Is it true that even though this has been sent to an address clearly not mine, action can still continue (as a side issue my brother knows our mother would pass on letters). Also is it possible to respond without giving my address (due to concerns of harrasment)? Also can this go to court if he does not produce any proof to back the claim - no police action, no proof of purchase, no proof of amount being correct, he also had no driving license / insurance at the time he alledgedly had the car stolen? Would Statute barred rules apply beyond September? Finally one big question, what does "contesting the jurisdiction" mean? Sorry it's a bit information overload and if this is not the right forum, but with a young family to support this is just a bit of a worry. Many thanks for reading

many thanks for the advice guys (in conjunction with a handy / concise free factsheet from national debtline). Posted the statute barred letter on the 23rd july and they received this on 24th July (and signed for it). Have not heard a peep out of them since. Is there anything else I should do or not as the debt is unenforceable?? Once again many thanks - although I feel lucky that I have the internet and could access the advice of you and NDL. Many others are more vulnerable than me sadly, but have already pointed one person in the direction of this site.

Hi I recently sent a letter recorded delivery to these guys. It did take 5 days to show on the Royal Mail website as having been delivered. Although when the information does show - the date on the signature scan was a couple of days earlier. I guess it takes a couple of days for the information to land on the Royal Mail website, not sure why though. If not, there are now other companies who deliver letters apart from the Royal Mail.

thanks for the help guys - will post the statute barred letter first thing in the morning. Then sit and await any response.

Hi very similar, except that it says court papers have been prepared ready for court action. Apart from that virtually identical

not so sure though, have heard they have links to the CSA (I do not have any children apart from my beautiful daughter) and they are members of a credit trade association. Apart from this though, it seems very wierd just how little information there is on them. Would there be any credit based groups you guys would not have neard of??

Hi many thanks for the reply, the answer to all 3 is no during the past 6 years - apart from sending the above letter, is their anything else I should do, this contact has come completely out of the blue??

Hi have received a letter from the above, with the name wrong?? Asking to contact them in relation to an occupational pension scheme. They are asking for alot of personal info' "for security reasons" including NI number?? They seem very dark and mysterious and cannot find any seemingly legitimate info' about them - can anyone help solve the mystery??:-? :-? many thanks

have received a letter from this company saying that they are preparing court papers (CCJ) on behalf of thier client 1st credit. If I do not apply they will send out these papers as above. Have already phoned National Debt line (v helpfull) as the debt is over 6 years old. There have been no payments or contact in this time, witht this creditor. I am about to post a letter I draughted, using the NDL template for "staute barred" debt. Have read the fact sheet and am slightly confused as to what an now happen - the letter is going first thing Monday recorded delivery. Can they no longer collect the debt? Can they go to County court to proceed further? If they have no legal claim, will they just walk away after?? Can they go to County court without sending papers?? Will the court "throw the case out"?? Has anyone had a similar experience with this company?? Mant thanks in advance of your help guys