Hi i wonder if anyone can give me advice. I have received two summons from link financial ref to old defaulted ex barclay credit card debts. Can anyone give me any advice as to how to go about and what to do please? Any advice will be highly appreciated.

Hello all, Back in August, I've notified my local council that I have vacated the property, and moved to Spain. My tenancy agreement terminates in Feburary 2019, although I paid the remainder to the landlord, the council told me that I'm still liable to pay council tax (covering the period up to 31/03/2019) even if I no longer live in the property, unless someone else moves in. However the landlord has decided to put the property for sale and is struggling to find a buyer. Since I have set up a post redirection service, I have received a CT summons letter on my new address in Spain. It states that if I don't pay, I will have a liability order against me. I've read somewhere that if the landlord accepts the keys back, I'm no longer liable for paying council tax. Is this true?

Hello everyone, I care for my mother who has dementia. She has a few things, mostly relating to her health and divorce that I've been trying to sort out. I had advised the local council that I was struggling to cope and that my step dad, her ex husband had suddenly cut off all her bills and not paid them. My social worker said that it was finance related and that she couldn't help. The council tax bill was addressed for number 46- not sure why they had suddenly got our address wrong. when I first heard that the council tax bill hadn't been paid, it'd been a couple of months already, as the letter had gone to my neighbour. I explained this to them on the phone and they sent me some forms to fill in on behalf of my mum, but several other things have happened, including waiting for evidence to come through etc. The person I spoke to was sure my mum was entitled not to pay because of her condition, but I'm not even sure what category she fell into. I suffer with depression and it's a lot of pressure to deal with when caring for someone. She's recently had a massive decline in her condition but it seems like no one cares or wants to help. I've now received a magistrates court summons for an amount of £1300 to be paid upfront From the letter, they're not interested in the ins and outs and just want payment. Please can you advise. I will of course speak to them, but they're not open until Monday. Thank you.

I'm posting this on behalf of an elderly gentleman who has absolutely no computer skills. In March he received a Parking fine from Premier Park for 15mins in a local carpark. He swears the machine wasn't working on the day but has no independent witnesses. He spent 15mins looking at the instructions including when he went out of the carpark to see where the nearest phone box was. when he realised it was too far he came back and drove out. I'll attach the correspondence to this post. I helped him draft letters based on forums we'd looked at. Premier Park were useless to say the least. Unfortunately he didn't get his POPLA appeal in in time (i.e. by a few days and although POPLA state appeals might be submitted late, they don't make it easy), and there is a letter attached showing how they were less than useless with this also. We are now at the County Court stage. Is it worth fighting it further or just paying the £235? 1. the claim has been filed in Exeter and the gentleman has a heart condition so cannot travel that far, his nearest court is in Liverpool. he was served on the 3rd. does the 14days mean he can apply to change courts. 2. Is it possible to have the charge reduced? the first time Premier Park even mention checking the machine to see if it works is the their court statement, if he'd known before maybe he might have thought there was an issue with the coin and paid the original £60/£100. He's still adamant it wasn't working. 3. I didn't include the POPLA complaint form as it's the same as the original letter. Thanks in advance Popla complaint redacted 15:6.pdf Popla complaint ADR redacted 18:7.pdf Premier Park Case.pdf

Hi, My son received a CC Summons from Lowell for and old Vodafone broadband account when he was in bad relationship with a woman. he has not dealt with this and has stuck head in sand, ex has nowt and only know he got letter in March from lowell offering 20% discount then another in June saying something like 30 days to prevent legal action which he also ignored. Next thing CCS Issue date 25 July arrives at mum and dads house with his name on it. Any help appreaciated please! Thanks

All, I would really appreciate some advice please as I am worried sick. The following is a rough timeline. I would appreciate any thoughts and advice. Thanks in advance. • Offence (a) I received a ticket for 25/12/2017 Speeding Westbound 58 mph in a 50 zone • Offence (b) I received a ticket for 25/12/2017 Speeding Eastbound 56mph in a 50 Zone • I declared that I was the driver for both offences and both forms in the same envelope • I then received a fixed penalty notice for offence (a) • I received a fixed penalty notice for offence( b) • I accepted the 100 pound and 3 points for each offence and sent the paperwork back. • I paid 2 x £100 as directed. • I later received a letter to say that I had not sent my Licence. I had indeed forgotten to include my license. • I sent my license and it was returned to me after a few days (I assumed 6 points had been added) • I received no further correspondence from the fixed penalty office • On 30/05/2018 I received a single justice Procedure notice for offence (a) saying that I failed to accept an offer. • At this stage, I checked my driving license and only 3 points were added. It appears that only offence (B) was processed I spoke with the fixed penalty office. They admitted that there had been an error but he explained that he was unable to do anything as it had been referred to the court. He told me to explain to them that I had followed the process at all stages. • I pleaded guilty to the court via the form but explained that I already paid the fine and explained the circumstances • Shortly after I received a refund of a £100 I then received a summons on referral to court as the case was inappropriate for single justice procedure. • I am unsure why it was decided that it is inappropriate for single justice procedure. This has not been explained?

Hi all first post, as I'm new to all this any help/advice would be appreciated. I received a letter on Saturday 26th May from Nolans solicitors..... Debt is under 2k.. Excerpt from letter.. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE A SHERIFF COURT SUMMONS Our Client:- CABOT FINANCIAL UK LIMITED TAKE NOTICE that unless you make payment of this debt IMMEDIATELY application may be made to the courts to issue a SHERIFF COURT SUMMONS against you. DETAILS OF DEBT £ ****.** due in respect of TESCO PERSONAL FINANCE INFORMATION ABOUT A SHERIFF COURT CLAIM If a Claim is issued a court fee and costs will be added to the debt. interest may also be added. If Decree or Judgement is made against you this may make it difficult for you to get credit in the future, HOW TO PAY =========== Various methods of payments explained.................................................................................................................................................................................................. To communicate with Nolans via email. contact the person dealing with your account at E mail*******************. You should ensure that your name and account number ( *******) are contained within your e-mail. To protect data of a sensitive or personal nature we recommend that you use an email account in your name and to which you have exclusive protected access. ============================================================================= after reading forum I was going to send them both CCA request as NS has supplied an email can I deal with them by email and a letter to Cabot or letter both if this is the best way to proceed at this stage. TIA.

The title sums it up in a nutshell. I pay monthly by standing order and have done so since moving into this house a year ago. I have received, over the last few months, two text messages and two letters asserting that my account is in arrears and that if I don't respond I will become liable for the whole years bill etc etc. My account is not in arrears. I have bank statements which show the sums being transferred to the council in question every month. I have emailed the head of revenue and benefits to tell him to check whatever error is causing this on his system and to point out how unacceptable it is to send people threatening letters in error. I attached copies of my bank statement showing the payments by way of proof. I can well imagine there are some people who would be intimidated or caused undue stress by the type of things they've sent. I copied in my councillor, who acknowledged the message. No response yet from the recipient. Today I have received a court summons for 23rd of May on account of my non-payment. Obviously I am not overly concerned, as I know I have paid and can prove I have paid. What I would like to know is how best to act now? I have let the councillor know what has happened and sought further advice from him . I am not against attending the court date if there is anything to be gained by that for me. The outcome I am seeking is an acknowledgment of the errors on the part of the council and a stop being put to the harassment via text message and letter which has now been going on for some months. Does anyone have some advice for how best to proceed?

Afternoon all, My mum passed away 2 years ago in May 2016, she left a Will and 3 executors in charge of it. Not sure why she didn't have a lot bless her. They started sending bills soon after my mum died despite me telling them the house was empty and we were waiting for probate. Probate was finally granted in October 2017. My brother and I have no intention of selling it. I received a bill of £668 and paid £334 beginning of Jan, I then received a letter to my home which is not in the same city, saying the remaining amount was due by 31 March. I wrote it down and blatantly forgot. My fault. As soon as I remembered I paid it but 2 weeks too late! I set up a DD for 2018/19. In the meantime I get a text from on of they executors saying they have issued a court summons. They have my details on file yet wrote to someone else. The balance of £668 is clear but they want the court summons fee. I'm happy (not happy as such as it's a lot on top of my own bills) to pay the council tax and have done so but why should I pay for a court summons that you sent to an address because as they said "someone in admin must have taken the executive decision to". I don't understand? When the payment was late why not just write and say we are still waiting for the second payment as agreed? instead they went straight to summons and then sent it to a random person who they don't have on file? Can I challenge the court fees?

Hello people, Its been a long time since I've had to do this so I'm looking for guidance. My Partner has received a County Court Summons dated 22 March2018 for a Lloyds credit card. The card was taken out in 2000 and the last payment made was in 2014 - according to the particulars the agreement was assigned to Lowells in March2015. I am presuming there will have been letters from them but my partner WILL have ignored them, which is why I am guessing they have gone down this route - hoping this will be ignored and then gain judgement by default. The total claim is £2126.77 Obviously this is now time sensitive so I need to get moving with it - How do I reply to the summons and then how do I deal with Lowells? Sorry its so sporadic but I do a lot of travelling with my job so sometimes its difficult to get things achieved. Any advice, as always , gratefully received. regards OOT

Hi folks, I've always paid my CT on time in the past. I recently went onto ESA and the DWP asked me if I'd like them to apply for Housing Benefit and CT benefit, I said yes. They did neither, I found out about this a month ago. The DWP then admitted they'd made a mistake and started paying my Housing Benefit but didn't pay the Council Tax Benefit. My post is sporadic at my home address and so I use a correspondence address that the council is aware of and has sent many things too. However the Council Tax department claim they don't have that and have been sending reminders to my actual address - needless to say, I've not received them. They've just issued a summons - the first I knew about this was when I got a text from them today telling me this! I've not physically received the summons yet. I don't want to pay the £102 summons fee. I've just applied online for CT benefit. I can probably just about to afford to pay the £450 that they are demanding (although it would be a huge blow if I have to pay if I have to). I can't make the court date as it is less than a week away. Advice please: Can I avoid paying the summons fee? If so how? Can I ask for the court date to be deferred so I can attend in person? Is there anything I can do to stop this action and then return to monthly payment? Any advice gratefully received.

Will try keep it brief... Aug 2017 i cancelled dd this was due to my daughter been placed with me by local authority , money was tight with everything(food on table) Due to the things happening around the case and my well being of my daughter priority i totally over looked the November dd or payments. I was spending all my time on pc doing research for my situation, tv was been used on android box iptv 24/paw patrol and terrarium kids movies January knock on door( i was up to eyes in paper work for case) let him in explained the reason for overlooking it (even showed him contract of expectations from the local authority to show i was genuine ) he asked to test the tv i didn't even know how to get it on as we always used box he asked when was it last used i said 24/7 paw patrol for daughter on iptv service.for the daughter i haven't used tv for 6 months in fact the virgin box is in the cupboard as i cant get out of contract and i use android box ,he set up payment plan which has been adhered to. HOWEVER i have received a summons he said that i wouldn't on examining the documents he put i watched cbeebies for bairns usually, this is incorrect i said paw patrol and for the bairn,as there is only my daughter .i need to respond to summons any advise on attaching a letter to be considered in case

Hi I'm wondering if anyone can help me here I have just received a county court summons dated 6th February. I want to defend this claim and would be vey grateful for any advice you can give me. Many thanks. Name of the Claimant ? PRA GROUP (UK) LTD Date of issue – 06 FEB 2018 What is the claim for – 1. The Claimant claims the sum of 7688.54 for debt and interest. 2.On 07/01/08 the defendant entered into an agreement with MBNA Europe Bank Ltd for a Credit Card under reference (card number). 3.On 30/4/12 the defendant defaulted on the agreement with an outstanding balance of 5305.48. 4.On 22/6/12 the debt of 5305.48 assigned to PRA Group (UK) Ltd. Notices of assignment were sent to the defendant in accordance with S136 Law of Property Act 1925. Payments of 0.00 received up to 22/6/12 5.AND THE CLAIMANT CLAIMS 1. The sum of 5305.48 2. Statutory interest pursuant to Section 69 of the County Courts Act 1984 at a rate of 8.00% per annum from 22/6/12 to 2/2/18 2383.06 and thereafter at a daily rate of 1.16 until judgment or sooner payment. Have you received prior notice of a claim being issued pursuant to paragraph 3 of the PAPDC (Pre Action Protocol) ? NO What is the value of the claim? £8198.54 Is the claim for - a Bank Account (Overdraft) or credit card or loan or catalogue or mobile phone account? CREDIT CARD When did you enter into the original agreement before or after 2007? JANUARY 2008 Has the claim been issued by the original creditor or was the account assigned and it is the Debt purchaser who has issued the claim. DEBT PURCHASER HAS ISSUED CLAIM Were you aware the account had been assigned – did you receive a Notice of Assignment? I WAS NOT AWARE AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE Did you receive a Default Notice from the original creditor? NOT THAT I AM AWARE OF Have you been receiving statutory notices headed “Notice of Default sums” – at least once a year ? NO Why did you cease payments? LOST MY BUSINESS What was the date of your last payment? I THINK LAST PAYMENT WAS BEFORE THE DEFAULT DATE BUT I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WITH EXPERIAN Was there a dispute with the original creditor that remains unresolved? NO Did you communicate any financial problems to the original creditor and make any attempt to enter into a debt management plan? YES

hi made and agreement over the phone in april 2017 to Greenwich council to pay council tax weekly as that is how I am paid.... today I recd a court summons with a £95 court costs added for no reason... phoned them and basically they said had to pay it.....only have £150.00 to pay which is 6 weeks worth of weeky payments so well within the limit to pay for the year... have requested a freedom of information request from them for all the phone calls and letters from april 2017.. the letters were sent with a weekly breakdown of my payments but I have lost them hence the request is there anymore I can do as they are very un-helpful... thanks paul

Hi guys, I hope someone can help. I've checked the forums but my situation is different. I bought a property on 14th March 2017. There were tenants already living there until 31st August 2017. They didn't pay me any rent and in the end I had to give them a section 8 notice to evict them. At this time, I was living with my parents. I moved in 2nd September. I got a letter from the Council saying I owe them £600 for "long term empty". I phoned them and told them there were tenants living there up until 31st August, and I gave them the name of the person, and informed them I had no idea where they had moved to. They requested I send proof that I had moved into the property on 2nd September 2017, in the form of energy letters or something. I sent this by email the same day as the telephone conversation. I then received a letter on 31st October 2017, saying I no longer owe them £600, but I now owe them £190, for the period of 9th July to 31st August. I phoned and told them I sent in evidence that I moved into the property on 2nd September, so I have no idea where they plucked this 9th July 2017 date from. They said they have my email, but it's been backlogged, and hasn't been checked yet. I then received a "1st reminder" letter on 6th December 2017, again asking for the £190. I phoned them again, and same story, she said my email hasn't been read, and not to worry about anything. Now today, 12th January 2018, I received a Magistrates Court Summons to pay off the £190, plus £18 for "costs". It does state "You are therefore summoned to appear before the Magistrates' Court at [address] on Thursday 1st February 2018 at [time] unless the said sum(s) (or balance) be paid, before the day of the hearing. Failure to pay in full will result in a Liability Order being requested at the hearing." Now, the last conversation I had with the council tax department was that my email had not been read, so they hadn't yet checked my evidence, and told me not to worry. Another point, I received a "1st reminder", but nothing after that. During the date mentioned relating to the fine, 9th July 2017 - 31st August 2017, there were people living at the address, and I told the council tax department over the phone on more than 1 occasion. During the date mentioned relating to the fine, 9th July 2017 - 31st August 2017, I was living with my parents, and was on their council tax record which was up-to-date. During the date mentioned relating to the fine, 9th July 2017 - 31st August 2017, I was on ESA benefit, so the council tax for the duration should have been around £60 anyway, and not £190. So now I've been summoned to court. What are my options? I was talking to a friend who suggested the best route is to pay off the £218 before the court hearing to get them off my back, and then sue the council in small claims court for incorrectly charging me council tax, and then having to make payment because of being summoned to court, and also sue the council for causing stress and anxiety. He said it's important for me to pay off the fee firstly, because I have a suspended 8 week prison sentence, and though unlikely, the court could activate a previous suspended prison sentence. If I was to follow the route of paying them off, then suing the council in small claims court, how do I go about this? Do I need to get a solicitor? I assume I would get legal aid. Or do I just write to them explaining what happened? Or should I go through the financial ombudsman? I don't really have surplus cash to pay solicitors initial fees, etc. I currently am on JSA, but have been signed off by my doctor with depression from 2nd January 2018, for a month. I am taking medication, and having counselling help. This issue has added to my depression. My first step is to go to the Council Tax department on Monday morning, and ask them the questions I mentioned; why I didn't at least get a "2nd reminder", why I didn't get any letter after my email had been read and evidence had been checked, if at all they have yet, why they didn't take into consideration I was on ESA, and why they didn't check as I had asked, that I was named on the council tax will whilst living at my parents, etc. So the reason for this post is to get opinions of what I should do. Any help will be very much appreciated.

Hi everyone, Story so far - myself and ex business partner owned a business back in 2011-2013. Business was closed in 2013 and this July i received a letter stating that i owe business rates. I contacted council and explained that it was not me personally liable for rates but company and provided all profs (bills, registrations, etc). They lost my first letter. After a months or so i posted a second letter with all proofs and explanations. Based on tracking it was delivered to them and signed. Council kept it quiet for 6 weeks after which i received a Court Summons this week. I have tried to call them and email - no reply or response. What is the procedure if i have to go to court as i haven't been in one and dont know what to do. Thank you in advance.

Hello Everyone I started getting letters from Nolans probably around 2 months ago about a Personal Loan debt that was from years ago. The debt is not on any of my credit files so it was a surprise to get a letter from a sols about it. Its a Sainsbury's Bank Loan for £16k that i took out on 9/7/09, very shortly after (around 6 months lost my job). I had been making token payments of £20 per month to originally Blair Oliver & Scott who after around 1 year, passed the debt to Cabot around Nov 2011. I continued the £20 per month till around Jan 2016 then I lost my job again, and couldn't pay at all. If I am being honest, i thought due to the time since i took it out (8years ago) and the fact that it was off all 3 credit files (equifax/Experian/Callcredit) It had been written off by the creditor. Im always weary with debt letters as the terminology is always "we may" and very rarely "we are doing" but being so close to having a clean credit file the letter has came as a bit of a scare. Any advice? I can post a copy of the letter with personals omitted if it helps?

I have receive a Court Summons regarding Anglian Water. I had no idea that there was any problem as its paid monthly by direct debit. Its a house I rent out and the paperwork was sent there. now I have to pay the part that was owing from last year and they have included the whole of this year up to April 2018. Plus the court fees and their solicitors charges. Is it fair that the court sends out the original paperwork and does not care if its correctly served? At least they should get a signature to prove service.

Hi Everyone, Looking for some advice in the best way to deal with a Summons that dropped through the letter box a day or so ago. My wife parked in a car park administered by Civil Enforcement Ltd on 28/8/2016. This car park had previously been a car park where one paid on exit and my wife assumed it was still like this when she parked. After about 10 minutes (on leaving the car park) a colleague informed her you now have to pre-pay so she immediately returned and purchased a ticket which she placed in the car and thought no more about it Then she received a letter (now thrown away) demanding £100 as a parking charge for not following the car parks rules and regulations. My wife wrote back to them disputing the charge and refusing to pay it. She went through their appeals procedure and received letters demanding payment and threatening legal action on 6/10/16, 26/10/16, 7/11/16 and 13/02/17 and the Summons dated 8/6/17. The Summons has been replied to to defend all. My wife was part of a church group she has 20 witnesses to returning and buying the ticket after about 10 minutes had elapsed. I have asked her to get some witness statement from members of the group. Unfortunately the original tickets were not retained. Civil Enforcement Ltd have number plate recognition cameras and the ticket machine is one where you enter the car registration number when buying the ticket. presumably, my wife can ask for the timing details of entering the car park, time of ticket purchase. amount of ticket purchase and when she left the car park. This should show she would not have used up all the time paid for. Its early days yet but I would appreciate all and any input as to the best way to deal with this. An irritating thing about the Summons is that it does not state what it is for. Can they issue a generic Summons like this? - Wording below: "The Claimant claims the sum of £250.64 for outstanding debt and damages including £14.64 interest persuant to S.69 of the County Courts Act 1984. Rate 8.00% pa from dates above to7/617. Same rate to Judgment - 0.05 Total debt and interest due - £260.64 I will provide the defendent with separate detailed particulars within 14 days after service of the claim form." Amount Claimed - £250.64 Court Fee - £25.00 Legal Reps Costs - £50.00 Total - £325.64 As it is a small claim can they charge a legal reps fee? And can they issue a summons without stating what it is all about and without a breakdown of charges? Look forward to comments whether good or bad.

My daughter is on benefits and borrowed £1200 from me last year to pay off a summons for council tax arrears. I paid this on the phone and asked "so thats it theres nothing else outstanding" and was told no its all up to date. I asked about the current period and was told that they were setting up £20 first month followed by 9 months of £19.10. We were expecting some paperwork to back this up and maybe set up a direct debit but heard NOTHING until this morning when she receives a summons to appear in court on the 13th June. Now, I have no problem paying the £191 council tax that they are demanding, but I'm loathed to pay court costs when there has been ZERO correspondence between me paying last time and this morning. No demands, no agreement, no final reminders etc. If I ring and just pay the £191 will they still pursue this through the court. Im quite happy to attend court with my daughter and explain all of this but just wondered what my chances were of getting this settled without going, and if I DID attend my chances there too. Thanks UKD PS this is London Borough of Barnet

Hello all. My partner was on Maternity Leave up until November last year and as such we were entitled to Council Tax Benefit up until that point. The council were advised and in January we received a letter stating we needed to pay back £353.04, so I called the council to arrange a payment plan. On speaking to the agent, I was advised I could not make a payment plan because monthly payments stop in January. I asked if the outstanding amount could be spread across this 2017-2018 bill. That was also not possible. I said that there was no way that I could pay the entire amount and was advised by the agent to pay what I could monthly. I paid £50 in February and an additional £40 in addition to the first month's payment of the 2017-2018 on the 31/03/2017. This morning I received a summons for Non-Payment of Council Tax to appear at our local Magistrates Court on 19th April 2017. There is a breakdown of costs, as follows: Council Tax: £303.04 Summons Costs: £70 Total: £373.04 I feel really aggrieved, as I was advised to pay what I could, which is exactly what I did, and I've got a summons anyway!! I hope someone can clarify what my position is. Many thanks in advance. Uncle Pete

Hello I hope you can help please. I signed as a guarantor for my daughter on a property share in June 2014, there were 5 tenants and each had their own guarantor. The claim is for unpaid rent of £1261.82, £3206 for cleaning, repairs and damages + admin fees, court costs & interest totalling £5127. The contract stated that each guarantor was jointly and individually responsible for each tenant. My daughter did not owe any outstanding rent (well documented), the home was not very well looked after but I feel the £3k+ figure highly exaggerated, most damage was caused by cats none of which belonged to my daughter. The security deposit of £100 each was retained by the landlord. The claim form says the date of service is 21st March and the particulars of the claim states: Particulars of Claim (attached)(to follow). I am not and have no way of being in touch with the other guarantors though the claim form appears to have been served to at least two other parents. Do I need to respond within 14 days or await further information? What would be the best defence in this situation? All advice gratefully received

Hi all, This morning I have received court papers from Northampton Court for unpaid water bills. When I first moved into this property, after a while I realised that I hadn't received a bill for water, i phoned Southern Water and was told that I wasn't a customer of theirs. I told them that I was receiving water, but they insisted that I wasn't known to them. I tried again a few months later as it played on my mind and was told I would be phoned back - I wasn't. After a while I forgot all about it...for about 8 year! They have also sent a summons to my ex-partner who left about 5-6 years ago. This morning they are asking for £1800+interest. I'm considering admitting the claim, as I have had the water after all, but it annoys me that they have never sent me any bills at all, and flat out told me that I wasn't a customer of theirs. Before I do that, is there any defence I can submit? Oh, forgot to mention that I have had debt collection agency letters recently pertaining to it, but the figures changed each time as did the agency so I thought it best to ignore them as some looked like [problem]s.

Hi, I recently rented out one of my properties and my tenant vacated without notice and eventually I gained access to the property once it was confirmed he did one on me. As he was on housing benefits, the council tax was paid by the DSS. However, on vacating, I took on the owed amount. In short, I received a letter from the council informing of the amount due (no specific payment date was noted) and a payment plan was annotated. However, this was contradicted as I missed a payment I was then not able to pay by D/D. The payment I missed was a listed payment prior to the letter being sent and me being in possession of the property so there was not much I could about that. Although the letter was dated 22/12/2016, I did not actually receive the letter until the new year due to the Christmas period. Based on the letter, I decided to pay in full and this was done on 24/1/2017 as that was when I got paid. On the evening of the 26/1/17, I received a court summons due to not paying council tax I contacted my bank who then confirmed that payment would have hit the council by 26/1/2017. The court summons was dated 24/1/2017 this would not have been deemed served until 26/01/2017; the day payment cleared in their account. I contacted the council the morning of 27/1/2017 to confirm if payment had been received and they said no then an hour later said they had found the payment and have just allocated it against my account. They also apologised. They said I would not have to attend court or have to pay the fee. I then requested this be sent via mail. No letter has been received and they will not answer any of my correspondence; clearly I am worrying. I then contacted the Court and have since received confirmation from the court that I don't need to attend as the council stated that I have paid in full so the case will be withdrawn at court on 13/2/17 (not quite sure what this means - is the case still being heard? Can i still be found guilty?) As I only paid the council tax owed prior to receiving the summons, do I now still need to pay the court fees? I was of the understanding this was a time overlay of me paying at the time of them issuing a court summons. No mention has been made that I owe or don't owe other than the Lady i spoke to but nothing is in writing as they are not responding to me. They are very fast at issuing court summons but very slow at reassuring given that the court date is only a week away. Also, does having a court summons, even though it will be withdrawn on 13/2/2017, sit on any public records or even my DBS? I ask as this could impact my job. I did not go out of my way not to pay, I was trying to get my house back again from a rogue tenant and I did pay as a matter of priority. Many thanks in advance. Dea

Is an unsigned & unstamped Magistrates Court Summons legal. A semi literate friend of mine went to court on the wrong date (too late) to defend a parking ticket summons. When he told me about this later that day he had all the paperwork with him and it is blank as far as to who issued it, it is on headed paper with the Court address and telephone numbers, case number, his name and address, date of birth, that is it, nothing else. I have gone round in circles for 4 days trying to find out for sure if this summons meets the criteria required as he will appeal if he has a chance to reverse or cancel the MASSIVE fine & costs of over £850.... yes EIGHT HUNDRED + for breaking down on double yellow lines. The actual charge was :-Allowed a motor vehicle ................... to wait on a road, namely ............. when waiting was prohibited. It all started when his car was broken down and he was waiting for a tow and told a Warden as much and showed him all the oil that had been dumped by his car on the road. The warden still issued the ticket, unfortunately my friend ate it (his passive protest). His car was subsequently towed away with the aid of a friend. Can anyone give advice on the required format of a summons please. Thanks in advance Mike