Sorry, didn't get email notification you'd replied to the thread! Hfo didn't pursue the court case. They did send a letter a couple of months back saying they were thinking of re-starting litigation but I reckon it was just one of their standard threat letters. I noticed it was sent out exactly 6 months after their previous threat letter! If anyone's bumping this thread because they're in the same boat send me a message and I'll be happy to help

Short answer is my case was stayed on Feb 1st. I didn't know this for sure until just now when your question reminded me to ring the court. I was put through to someone who seemed to know exactly what they were talking about (finally) and she confirmed that the case is definitely stayed. I have decided to let sleeping dogs lie and let it go unless/until HFO apply to get the stay lifted. My thanks to you and to everyone else who helped.

Hi! Yes and no, I received a reply to my email from the court stating that they had not received a reply to my defence therefore the case was stayed from Feb 1st. However that reply was from an individual within the customer services department and not an official response and as several other people have given me different answers over the phone I am being cautious. I haven't received anything at all through the post and when I call I'm not given anything concrete over the phone - just a lot of "Well I see what you mean, it should be..." I guess I'll just have to wait and see...

Yeah that's true. I'll just take a chill pill and see what happens. Thanks for the help either way

Hi coledog! Right, well I phoned the court today and I have to say I am a little concerned as to the abilities of the staff there. Yesterday I had the woman who clearly didn't know what she was talking about but I understand we all make mistakes and perhaps she was just having a bad day. Today I get put through to a very snotty woman who's only comment was "It will take as long as it takes." and refused to put me through to a manager or supervisor. Then I get through to a guy who was honest to god a male version of the "Computer says no" sketch from Little Britain. "Hello, has my case been stayed?" "The computer says no." "Oh. Well, how come seeing as it has been more than 28 days etc etc?" "The computer says it hasn't been stayed." "Okay... well in your experience would you be able to say why that might be?" "The computer just says no." "I see. So the computer says no and that's that? There's no possible way to check? Nobody else in the department I could speak to?" "I don't know. It's not on the computer. Perhaps you could try ringing back after another 28 days." I hung up. I'm not going to ring again, I'm going to continue eating the pack of mini chocolate doughnuts I bought as a stress reliever.

Lol! Yeah actually you're dead right, I'd be mad to accept any offer because I should know from my own experience and those of others that they are prone to lying, getting people to acknowledge the debt and then removing the agreement and using the acknowledgement against them. Don't be a self-fornicator! Never get into bed with HFO!

I've blocked all numbers I don't recognise and haven't received any offers by post, but I must admit if there was an offer on the table that allowed me to pay a small token amount and get the default removed from equifax I'd seriously consider it...

Yes, we must all be vigilant when it comes to the self fornicators!

Hmm... That's interesting... I hope there hasn't been a cock up somewhere. Thanks for the heads-up, I'll definitely be calling again tomorrow to clarify.

Yeah I made it today too which us why I rang. Annoying when you're given incorrect info that can shove your stress levels up! I've already written, I'll try ringing again too just to see if someone else says the same thing. Cheers!

Thanks for quick reply. Yeah, I did think it was a bit odd. The woman went off the phone for a few minutes and said she had wanted to double check and that it was definitely 6 months. I think I'll ring again tomorrow and see if someone else says the same thing.

Ok I faxed off my defence and rang to check it arrived okay then a few days later I receive this letter in the post stating that the claimant will have 28 days in which to respond. Their time is just about up so I ring the court today to check and I'm told that actually they have 6 months with which to respond before the case is stayed! Needless to say I'm a bit put out. I've sent them a letter requesting they clarify the date by which HFO are required to respond. Is it normally 6 months you have to wait?

Thanks for your info SG. I agree, whilst I have no legal background I am a fast learner and my gut feeling is that this is a bluff in order to scare people into paying. My defence is basically saying that I have made CCA, default notice and deed of assignment requests which have been ignored - both via an original CCA request before court proceedings and to a CPR 31.14 after having received the court papers. Seeing as the POC is deliberately vague and the claimant uncooperative I feel this is a waste of the court's time.

Have sent you a PM

That's a great idea thanks, and if I hadn't already found someone to provide support that link would have proved invaluable. I agree that such a useful resource should be far more accessible.