Hi Guys, Thanks very much for the helpful advice. I am preparing an email setting out my income and expenditure from which it is clear that I am unable to make any offer in settlement. I must say I am concerned about giving my spanish address. Would this not enable the "plaintiffs" to apply to the high court for an order for service out of the jurisdiction ie spain. Alternatively they could pass/ sell the debt to spanish collectors and I have no idea what they can do. I would really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks Nic.

Hi cerberusalert thanks for the info. A bankruptcy specialist has informed me that he contacted the insolvency service and was told that I can`t file for bankruptcy in the uk. My immediate concern is proceedings for recovery being commenced and them freezing my bank account in the uk. Looks like I shall have to wait and see what they do. Thanks again for your help. Nic

Hi, Thank you all very much for your advice. Having researched the matter further I am sure that I can`t apply for bankruptcy in the uk. If I were outside the EEU then no problem. The same applies to IVA`s. I am left with no alternative than to email the debt collection agency and make a ridiculous offer which is all my finances will allow. This brings me to my next concern; namely my small private pensions. Should a writ be issued can my creditors get an order to deduct a sum of money each month from these pensions. To do so would leave me with insufficient money upon which to live. I have re-calculated my finances over a period of a year and my outgoings are about equal my income. I would appreciate your views please. Thank nic.

Hi unclebulgaria, thanks for that and indeed I have just emailed the people to ask specifically if I can petition from spain. I shall let this forum know their answer.Thanks Nic,

Hi uncle bulgaria, thanks very much. A thorough search of the web leads me to beleive that a resident in the EEU can`t file for bankruptcy in the uk. I could return to the uk for a couple of days to get the ball rolling and hopefully give the bankruptcy agent power of attorney to attend the hearing on my behalf. I would like to be proved wrong about being unable to file proceedings in the uk. All help and advice gratefully received. Thanks Nic.

Hi dx, The letter to me is from debt collectors on behalf of the building society. I have never heard from anyone in respect of the council tax arrears. Thanks Nic

Hi, I am very new to this forum so please be gentle with me. I am hoping that a kind person will please help us. My wife and I have lived in spain for about 2 years. I am a pensioner and receive state and private pensions which together just cover all our living expenses here. We rent an Apt and do not own property here or in the uk. Two years ago I was made redundant and we sold our flat resulting in a shortfall of about £40,000 I owe council tax of about £600. We use a friends address in the uk for post. I have a uk bank account into which my private pensions are paid and a spanish bank into which my state pension is paid. My wife does not work. Uk bank account in my name and spanish account is joint. This month a debt collecting agency traced me to my friends address. I have not responded to this letter. I am not a "duck and dive" guy and accept I owe the money but simply can`t afford any payments. I am thinking of applying for voluntary bankruptcy and to give power of attorney to my agent so that he can attend court on my behalf. I would very much appreciate any advice that you can please offer. The worry to us both is terrible. thanks Nic.