@ old bill I won't quote your entire post. Thank you very much for taking the time to post this. I will definitely be in touch with the Ministry of Justice, although not in quite the same way as originally intended .... We have scraped the money together and paid Collectica. Personally, I was getting puffed up for a fight, but my son was very worried. When I arrived home from work late last night, he sat me down and said that he knew I wanted to do this the "technical" way (I'm not sure what he meant by that!) but it was hanging over his head, and he was worried for me, and knew how horrified I'd be at bailiffs wandering around valuing things. He was also worried about additional fees. I did try and reassure him, but no dice. In addition, my partner has Multiple Sclerosis, and although he works and is as well as can be expected, he's supposed to avoid stress, so people hammering on the door might not be conducive - although, if you asked him he'd probably say it's impossible to avoid stress at the best of times, lol So ..... between my other son and myself, we put it on a credit card and had done with it. To add insult to injury, even though we paid online at the Collectica website and used my son's account details (to all intents and purposes it was him making the payment), I later received a text from the Enforcement Officer stating that the payment had been received, and "thanks". I don't know why, but this made my blood boil. He clearly assumed that I'd caved in because of his lies, and as he'd hoped, the people who did not owe the debt had paid. Anyway, I shall make a start on a letter to the Ministry of Justice. Fortunately, I have this thread as a time-line - although it's greater purpose was supportive, and informative - I have learnt a lot along the way. Many thanks to all those who contributed. If you would like me to add details of my complaints and responses, I would be happy to do so.

No, I completely agree. We're on the same page, trust me - and I won't let this drop. However, as a parent, it's important that I don't allow my son to lose sight of his role in all this. When others behave badly, as they have in this instance, it's easy to forget where something started when feeling, appalled, shocked and angry. I don't want him to be in court again, and need him to learn to face up to responsibility. He's a late (though not hopeless) developer, and I won't always be around to help him. I think that's what I was trying to say (badly!).

Onto the link, which is very interesting - thank you for posting it. The problem here is that my son moved without informing anyone. He got a part-time job, which caused problems with his housing benefit and in the end it all got too much for him, and he moved back home. This meant that his fine was no longer being paid from his Jobseeker's. Naturally, he should have started paying it himself, but he didn't, and his problems began. He didn't tell be about his fine, until I found out about the bailiffs - I wish I'd known. So ... the Enforcement Officers were trying to contact him at his old address, and probably issued the warrant as a result of his (perceived) non response, not as a result of ignoring changed circumstances or hardship. There's a moral here regarding heads, sand and burying

Sorry to have only just picked this up. To answer an earlier point first, my son is claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. Therefore, given his circumstances - and after he made a reasonable offer to the Enforcement Agent of £100 immediately to be followed by instalments (which was rejected) - I telephoned the court. They referred me to the Lincoln Enforcement Team who stated they were unable to become involved, and I would need to contact Collectica who were dealing with it. So ..... full circle. Currently, the choice appears to be either settle the debt in full - which he is unable to do - or wait for it to be referred back to the court. I cannot see that there will be any other outcome. I no longer fear the loss of my possessions (thanks to this forum) and my son has little of value, so what other result can there be? This seems a big waste of a court's time, and possibly further fees, when it could all be settled now.

It doesn't state the HMCTS area, it just says: Debt Type - HMCTS The client name is "Lincs" The only letter we have is the "removal visit" which was delivered by someone who lives at my son's old address - probably because it was hand delivered by an Enforcement Agent.

When this is over, I will complain. My son has been very stupid. I fully understand why bailiffs are involved, and all I ask is a professional and sensible way that he can agree to pay what he owes to get out of this mess. I'm sure they have a difficult job, but shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush. I deal with the public - at times it can be difficult - but I wouldn't get away with lying to them.

I'm sorry, I don't have it with me (at work) but will post when I get home ..... unfortunately, not until midnight

They can force their way in as they are chasing court fines, can't they? I think this is one of the few exceptions, which is why I'm worried about keeping them out til I can do the statutory declaration.

Quick question .... I can prove ownership of my most valuable items, so will this be OK if they turn up over the weekend?

Thanks for that. This is appalling. I understand people have a job to do, but lying is obviously unacceptable. I'm at work now, so can't get to the court until Monday. Hope they don't turn up over the weekend.

I contacted the court who told me the statutory declaration wasn't relevant because it was for people who didn't know anything about the debt (meaning the person who had been fined).The bailiff told me the same thing (sorry, forgot to mention that in my earlier post - in a rush).

Hello again. In haste, as I'm late for work! Hope this makes sense ...I can come back to this letter if I've missed something. I spoke with the court, and then enforcement officers, who said I needed to speak with Collectica which I did. My son authorised them to speak to me, and I was told that it was perfectly legal for them to turn up at my home and take my property. I would then need to claim it back through the courts. He quoted some regulation at me - a TCA or something? - then he suggested I enter into an agreement with my son to lend him the money. I explained that I didn't have it etc. I told them about his unemployment, and having nothing of value but it was no use as he said a warrant had been issued.

That's all very helpful, thank you very much. I will do as you suggest, or rather get my son to do it with my support - it's important he does as much as he can for himself. I'll let you know the outcome.

The breakdown was: Compensation £80 Costs £80 Surcharge £80 So that totals £240 but Collectica are seeking £475 which must include their fees etc. I'm also not sure if the above is a fine exactly. My son also did community service which (apparently) he got a gold star for. Pity he didn't apply the same tenacity to the costs. Sorry ... I'm angry with him.

Thank you for replying. Sadly, not a PCN. My son was fined approximately thirteen months ago, then moved and buried his head in the sand. As a result, he didn't receive any letters (which obviously isn't their fault). We had no idea until someone from his old address turned up with the Removal Visit letter because someone from Collectica had called there on 10th June. The letter states that they attended with the intention of removing goods etc. Also that no arrangements are acceptable and payment is required in full. They plan to call again - but obviously he doesn't live there. He contacted them straight away, and made the offer as above, but it was declined. I must admit I was surprised, as I didn't think they would refuse anything that would reduce the debt, but that was it.