Wow, thanks guys for the replies. I thought I had an idea how things work, obviously not! On reading the N244 form, question 5, where it asks how would you like to proceed, I thought if I ticked without a hearing it would just be considered on the details on the form, and therefore would not be required to attend? When they obtained the CCJ they had already repossessed the property, so we therefore had no financial interest - will that make a difference? In your experience, are they likely to obtain a CCJ for the shortfall also, and if so is there a limit on the time they have to obtain this or do they have six years from the default? We have no intention of returning anytime soon, and thought we would stay total of six years but now with this recent CCJ , it will have to be eight total. I am just trying to organise time frames in my head of when we may be able to return so I can organise my plans here accordingly, makes the days when I am homesick easier! I have considered full and final offers, and am currently reading around this. I'm so grateful for your time and help, hopefully I'll be able to get my head around this soon! Thanks

Hi, I'm hoping someone may be able to help me? I've been lurking on here for ages but just need a little bit of guidance on my present situation.. We left for Australia in 2011, leaving lots of debts, initially with the intention of paying them once settled here but due to the high cost of living this has not been possible, as we are only able to make ends meet, even still. we initially rented out our house in the UK but tenants were scared by debt collectors keep calling and sitting outside, they kept complaining to the estate agents, who then began asking about our financial situation etc. This with costs of maintenance, negative equity etc we decided to let the house be repossessed. It has only recently been sold at a shortfall of around £40,000! I checked trust online and there is no CCJ for this but there is one for the same company, which we presume is for a loan we had. This has only recently been done although we last paid at the beginning of 2011. my husband rang Northampton Court and they advised it has been referred to the local court as they have applied for a charging order. He then rang the local court and it is due to be heard in January. My husband said the lady was really abrupt with him and advised him to ring their solicitors, Dryden Fairfax. So, questions are ...... 1. I intend on getting CCJ set aside as we were not resident in the UK at the time. The bank, although did not have our address abroad had a different address in the UK where we rented prior to emigrating due to job commitments. They obtained the CCJ at the house we owned and left the prior year. 2. Can they get a charging order if you do not own a property to use in the future if you ever do purchase one? We had bank account, loan and mortgage all with the same company, so I would presume obtaining a CCJ then applying for a charging order, knowing they have already repossessed the property is a tad naughty, or am I wrong? 3. I am aware that with the unsecured debts these cannot be enforced in Australia, but am a little worried with the large shortfall on ways they may try to enforce in the future. Can anybody offer any advise please? 4. Finally, on the N244, is a few sentences explaining emigrating and therefore not receiving documents sufficient with supporting documents eg. Passport, air tickets, utility bill or do I need to quote the CPR, or will this just complicate things? Sorry this is a little long winded but so much has happened and we initially intended on never returning, but now do not see it as a permanent move and will return in a few years, hence wanting this CCJ removed, as other detrimental credit history should be dated around the be,ginning of 2011. Thank you so much for reading and I look forward to your responses

Hi all, This is my first post although I regularly pop on and try to gain information. Anyhow, we are in Australia and unfortunately left lots of debt behind in UK. Due to reasons I cannot go into on here, we were unable to keep up repayments and the bank point blank refused to help us. We had tried to sell our house but it is in negative equity, so after researching the best thing for us is to let the bank reposess it, we know the consequences of this but will be here in Australia for a good few years. My question is this - my husband is worried that if and when we visit we will be arrested and sent to prison for the council tax bill. I know that debts are civil matters but he says council tax is different and we will be sent to prison. I cannot find a definitive answer to this, do you know if we will be arrested if we go back at anytime? Thanks for any advice and what a great website this is.