Yes, I know the rules, but I was just commenting how bl**dy unfair they are. Where else are you charged heaps of money for no services / product.

Hi All I moved into rented accommodation a year ago, to be nearer my job. Since then I have had my own Birmingham house for sale with a main agent - the house has been empty since then, and I am paying full Council Tax to the Local Authority where I now live. BUT, the Birmingham L.A. are demanding full Council Tax for my empty / owned property. They gave me a few months grace, but now want full payments ging forward. It is totally unjust for B'ham to want money for absolutely nothing. I use no police, fire, dustbin, library, school, health or any other services in B'ham. How do they justify charging for these things? There must be many people trying to sell their houses currently who are stung by this? Any comments?

Donation given - keep up the good work!

Guys - STOP PRESS !!!!! I just phoned the Court to ask about some information that RWay should have provided, only to be told that they had dropped their case against me!! MANY, MANY THANKS TO THE PEOPLE WHO REPLIED TO MY ORIGINAL POSTING. MY MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE COURT SUMMONS SENT TO THEM - CASES CAN BE DROPPED EVEN AT THE LAST MINUTE, SO DON'T DESPAIR AND KEEP READING THIS FORUM. (BUT BE PREPARED ANYWAY)

Can you say what pre action protocols that RW followed ? Not sure - just basic pay up or else letters, then "go to court" related letters. When did you first get any notice from them? Notice for what? Did you respond and in writing ? I have nbever written to them, but believe that its not more than 6 years since I dealt with original card issuer. Who is the original debt for and how much is it for ? 22,000 for Bank of Scotland Credit Card

Hi - I am struggling to find these templates - I go to the templates section but cannot find a way of searching for Surfaceagentx20 postings. Plus, I cannot find any templates in the sample of threads I have opened, just discussions abut the templates!

Thanks for your reply, bazaar - local court already allocated and date set for next week. I will look at the template you recommended.

Hi everyone Only found this site today - looks great and I am already encouraged for my battle next week. I've never been to court to defend myself, though. Robinson Way (Rway for short) have issued a real summons for me to attend court next week. It's a credit card debt they are chasing (largely run up by my wonderful ex-wife years ago). I requested the original CCA and they sent me an application form dated 1995 - from searching this forum and looking for the important wording on the form, there is no mention of APRs or Credit Limits. There is a small box entitled Credit Aggrement regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 which has a few words about me and Bank of Scotland being the parties to the agreement. HOWEVER, it also says I agree to be bound by the conditions of use overleaf (and I don't have a copy of that). I assume that the overleaf is a pre-printed standard, which would never have a specific credit limit mention (or even an acccurate APR?) My question is, shall I contact RWay beforehand, telling them they're wasting their time? Shall I go to court and defend myself with the Invalid CCA issue as my first main of defence, or shall I mention the fact that I didn't run up the original debt anyway? I want to ask them to produce the original credit card receipts (in those days they were signed in ink) to prove I didnt spend the money... I am worried I'll be intimidated by the "courtroom drama", and be run rings around by their lawyer, or say things incorrectly and end up screwing the hearing up.... E.g. if I mention that its not really my debt, it might confuse the issue and they'll win the case. Please help!