Oh - yes, something else! The judge knew of this website and referred to it. I told him it was a huge site and not only dealt with issues of bank charges but all manner of consumer support and advice. He sounded really impressed and I had the feeling he was so interested in it, he might look at it as well.

We've gone through the usual faff to get to the point where most other financial institutions realise they're losing a lot of money and settle..... not CITI. Anyway, we were given a date for an 'allocation hearing' (yesterday) which allows the judge to meet the parties involved and decide whether or not to pop your case into the fast-track, which requires full disclosure, etc. Naturally, we want to keep our claim in the small tracks court, as, after we received CITI's offer of the difference between their original charges and £12, my husbands is a couple of hundred quid and mine is about £800 and we don't fancy incurring large legal costs. Crazy. This is what happened:- The allocation hearing was 2pm and firstly, the judge was a district judge - name of AYERS. WHAT A NICE MAN. Complete gentleman. He was so reassuring and relaxed and seemed chuffed when I asked if we were going to have him for the actual hearing - he said 98% probability. Said these cases were the talk of the circuit, ie "I've got 54 to do today, how many have you got?" He told me that out of all the cases he was due to do that day - they all settled - he said the financial institutions just do not want to go to court. Full stop. Only CITI were left standing and I sensed he was completely at a loss as to why they were - ie they were completely daft. Their legal rep didn't turn up and he told us they had written to him informing him they were going to full contest it. He said they have quoted a case in which they won. I said "Yes, that's Kissick - I know the guy involved quite well". He looked down at the paper and looked up over his glasses, smiled and said, "Yes, that's right!" He sounded impressed! He then said "And .... so what? These cases do not set a precedent. We only listen to Court of Appeal cases". I could have hugged him. He checked with us whether we were broke (we said not, even tho' that's not quite true - I think he would have brought the case forward otherwise) and were there any dates we couldn't do for the hearing, such as skiing hols ?!!!!!!!!!! He has allocated us 3 hours hearing as he said if CITI bring all their fancy solicitors, press, etc - he didn't want to have to interrupt the hearing. He said we were the first in Bedford to get this far with CITI. Gulp. So, there's the low-down, folks. For those folks who are facing any kind of court scenario - don't forget that these are not the criminal courts, ie magistrates - these are the courts where family matters are dealt with, etc and are v. reassuring places. No frightening security or oiks hanging around in the corridors. We had two v. nice old boys who were the ushers - even joked they make cups of tea for people sometimes!

YAY 40Bear !!! Got your PM ! Well done. My goodness - it seems the only cases being heard this afternoon will be for CITI. They are spending a fortune in legal fees, I'm sure trying to defend themselves when all their fellow financial institutions are seeing the light! So, unfortunately, as a claimer against CITI, I'll still be going to Bedford Court this afternoon. Will report back....

Good luck with your claim. Citi are not the easiest lot to crack and have proved to be pretty devious but there is extraordinary help in this site - particularly on this forum, so keep taking heart by reading these threads. Hopefully, by the time you get to the point where you're facing court, us lot before you will have cracked their dodgy defence. BTW, don't get too hung up on their figures and facts that they state - nearly everyone have found they make mistakes in their defences, from still owing money to them, still holding a valid account, to wrong amounts owing and claiming they've sent part-payments when they haven't. Some people fear they do this deliberately to faze you. No, they're just extremely inefficient (hope you're reading this, Brian and I look forward to meeting your lackeys over a cup of tea and biscuits with the judge next week). R xxxxxxxx

Hi 'Bedford Court guys' I haven't even started on the reasons why I want to put it onto the small claims track. This week has been absolutely frantic at work and at home. My law degree coursework is due in next week and I haven't started it yet (equity & trusts) yeurgh. My daughter's 16th party is this weekend - I just can't see how I'm going to cope. I am working myself into a right stressy that I had a nose bleed right in the middle of the office yesterday - as I sat there talking to my assistant. Bet you my blood pressure is up, too. Any advice on cheap health farms?!!!!!

Boot and a *bump* Anyone have any ideas on this (see above)?

And one from me too! A nice sticky one. X

Arrrr - Martin - that was loverly!

WHAT have you lot been drinking last night? Here am I - respectable middle-class women, going to bed at 10.30pm with hubby and hot chocolate and I get up in the morning and see I've missed a party!!!!

Why - had they been holding out on everyone? Surely there has been more payouts than that one on the news??

With that name, Keren, there is no guessing. But GIZMO sounds like a boy! You know, surrounded by all his gizmo-y things that boys have! I've gone into trauma here and am now deeply troubled! HOW could I get it so wrong *she wails*. Thank goodness life isn't the same?!!!!!!!!!

LTWFB has just given me your news Gizmo. WOT a clever boy you are! This will really wind BS up not knowing what we're referring to. However, for the benefit of others who are just scanning these threads, we should register on here soon what we're on about but not yet.... not yet !!! BTW - I'll probably need similar help shortly as I'm up in front of the judge on 15th November over CITI cards.

Morning 40bear Plan to do it this weekend. I am also going to create it like a letter to the judge and send it in advance of 15th. I am also going to write to Lloyds solicitors reminding them of the date. Trouble is I don't want to talk about my plans too much as I also have CITI cards in the afternoon (along with my husband's card) and their solicitor has been watching all these threads and we have evidence that he has been acting on them, too. How about you? R

Well done Karen! Bet he did that through gritted teeth!!!

Andrew - hope you can see it. It makes for very interesting reading but read from the top down and read it slowly digesting each bit - don't be tempted to read from the middle. S(3) is most enlightening.... !!