I have found out that visa operate the "Secondary Defendant Principle" which is a piece of legislation that is set up to protect customers, who are users of ALL visa cards, in situations like this. Halifax v Dell v Me!!!!! Watch this space. Thanks for the advice

The "Key Facts" pages are basic info and should be read before signing, however most people read a few sentences and get bored and confused by the legal jargon that is included. If you are ever unsure about what you are signing in any credit agreement you should contact a solicitor to advise you, most offer a free half hour service or a legal surgery where you can go and speak to a qualified solicitor for free, there should be a notice in your local press, or contact your local C.A.B who have qualified debt counsellors.

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 was passed and given royal ascent in the early 1970's, the Act was updated in 2006 to allow the "consumer" to make claims againts lenders for unfair charges which are in conjunction with the "Unfair Terms Act 1977" It doesn't really matter when an Act was written, they are usually updated or "amended" by parliament to "keep with the times of change". An example would be "Offences Against the Persons Act 1861" which is still in force today and covers offences of GBH and ABH.

It is a basic credit agreement that is enforceable under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, there is a cooling off period which is usually 14 days in which you can cancel the agreement, return the card(s) and repay any monies that have been obtained under that agreement. The other pages are called "Key Facts Information" all lenders that provide credit must provide a key facts statement which informs their clients the financial implications of having a credit card, mortgage or personal loan. Hope this helps

*****Update***** Halifax have now demanded payment in full!!!!!! or they are taking legal action against me!!!! Time to write a letter I think.

With the Halifax, their 24 hour banking is on an automated system if I wish to speak to someone I have to wait until Tuesday.

I know its very long winded but there is plenty of info and HMCS should answer all of your questions.

County Court fees vary on the amount being claimed and there are various tracks within the County Court system which can be found at; County Court Fees I hope this helps

I purchased a laptop from Dell on the 13th August 2007, the purchase price was £541.75, I paid with my Visa Electron debit card over the telephone and subsequently recieved my laptop on the 24th August 2007. Somehow during the date of order and purchase and dispatch of my laptop Dell I believe charged my card twice, I called Dell and the had no knowledge of this yet a few days later the missing funds were back in my account???? Upon reciept of my laptop on the 24th August I again checked my online account with the Halifax and I was in credit by £102.67 yet by 9am on Saturday 25th August 2007 my account was £438.45 overdrawn???? Am I right in assuming that when a payment is made on a visa electron debit card the funds are allocated to the payee the instant the card is swiped? thus reducing the risk of going overdrawn!!!! I am incensed because it is a bank holiday weekend I am unable to speak to either the bank or the finance departmet at Dell!!!!