Hi all, just for bit of advice really. Few months ago I had a court fine of around £200 for motoring offences. Sorted out a repayment plan but payment card never came and lost the original letter (kids tidied up!) and couldn't contact the court as I didn't know the name of the court. Around the second week of December I received a letter from Collectica saying the debt had been passed to them and they wanted payment of £276.54 in full. I couldn't pay in full as I'm a single parent, currently on JSA as I lost my job in Sept I called them and they came up with a payment plan, that I also couldn't afford to pay. (they wanted £82.98 within 2 days and I only had £115.34 to my name and that had to last a week get food shopping, kids school lunches, gas and electric). I asked the guy on the phone what would happen if I couldn't pay and he said I would probably receive another letter and they would add £75, which I thought was fair enough, after christmas I would have been able to sort stuff out (Fingers crossed. I was also due to start another job which fell through on tuesday). Lo and behold I had 2 bailiffs turn up at my door this morning asking for payment of £511.31. I explained to them I don't have that kind of money or access to that kind of money, all my family work and have bills of their own to pay, and my kids father isn't worth asking. I let them look around my house, everything I have in here worth anything is in my kids room, which they explained, thankfully, they can't touch or even go in. The guy was kind of sympathetic, didn't take any inventory of anything but did state he can take everything from my front room, kitchen and my room (all of it still wouldn't come near to £500 as its all second hand or broken) and have given me until the 31st of December to pay. I've just worked out if I kept every penny I get up until the 31st I still won't have enough to pay it, or enough to cover what they take. He already said they would come back with a locksmith if I don't pay. What can I do now? I gathered by his tone he wont budge on the date. I can't get money from anywhere to help.

Hi, I have been paying £10 a month Magistrates Fine since November 2012. I have paid £100. I received a further steps notice as I was late paying in September by a week. I am on JSA and expected it too be deducted from my fortnightly JSA. However I have received a Distress Warrant for £135 which includes a 50% increase in the original fine. I am on JSA and a single parent and cannot afford to pay this plus the threat of £215 for a visit as well. I have written to the fines officer explaining my situation and appealing their decision. The fine should of been taken from my JSA. Is there any other action I should take to make sure the bailiffs do not make money for nothing as the fine was nearly paid. I had paid another £10 two days before I received the Distress Warrant on 31st October 2013. How do I legally appeal this ridiculous decision ?? Please advise.