bankruptcy petition recieved HELP!!!! *** WON + COSTS ***

[rory32]

When do you need to enter your defence by? It has to reach the courts at least 7 days before the hearing.

[lifethrualens]

Hi again, the court date is the 19th March. thanks

[lifethrualens]

Hi again, as of today the 9th March I have no reply to the letter sent. should I just sit tight?

[42man]

Firstly a couple of other threads here which you will find interesting - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/legal-issues/186660-vertex-data-science-ltd.html

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/legal-issues/187327-statutory-demand-received-advice.html

[42man]

You will need to submit the forms to the court at least 7 days before the hearing (one copy to the court and one to the claimant).....

 

If you have never seen a statutory demand, then you must accompany the affadavit with a witness statement stating this, has the house next door been empty for a while ? any problems with the postal service at all ? You may need one from your wife/partner if you are married or living with somebody

 

Statement: Defendant

Party:

Statement:

Exhibits:

Date:

 

CLAIM NO.__ of____

 

 

APPLICATION TO DISMISS THE BANKRUPTCY

 

 

 

PETITION OF MR/MRS (name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________

 

 

 

statement of MR/MRS (name)

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________

 

 

 

I, Mr/Mrs (name) of …………(Address)…………………………… will say as follows:-

 

Up until the date of the bankruptcy petition, I was not aware of any impending court action. I did not receive any statutory demand. If I had received the statutory demand I would have applied to have it dismissed/set aside on the evidence provded in the accompanying affadavit. I have also asked my wife who has confirmed that no documents have been served on her either.

 

I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true.

 

SIGNED ………………………………………..

 

Mr/MRS

 

 

Dated ………………………………………..

[42man]

For the affadavit you need to substantially dispute the debt....(as it seems you didn't get the chance at any stage earlier)

 

The debt is totally disputed

 

The alleged creditor has provided no proof whatsoever that the amount is owed

 

The alleged creditor has provided no default notice in accordance with the Consumer Credit Act 1974 this stated the default notice in order for it to be valid must be in the prescribed manner and be correct.

 

 

The Need for a Default notice

• Notwithstanding the above, it is also drawn to the courts attention that no default notice required by s87 (1) Consumer Credit act 1974 has been attached to the petition.
  

• It is denied that any Default Notice in the prescribed format was ever received and the Defendant puts the Claimant to strict proof that said document in the prescribed format was delivered to the defendant
  

• Notwithstanding the above points, I put the claimant to strict proof that any default notice sent to me was valid. I note that to be valid, a default notice needs to be accurate in terms of both the scope and nature of breach and include an accurate figure required to remedy any such breach. The prescribed format for such document is laid down in Consumer Credit (Enforcement, Default and Termination Notices) Regulations 1983 (SI 1983/1561) and Amendment regulations the Consumer Credit (Enforcement, Default and Termination Notices) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/3237)
  

• Service of a default notice is a statutory requirement as laid out in sections 87,88 and 89 Consumer Credit Act 1974. Section 87 makes it clear that a default notice must be served before a creditor can seek to terminate the agreement or demand repayment of sums due to a breach of the agreement. therefore without a valid default notice, I suggest the claimants case falls flat and cannot proceed and to do so is clearly contrary to the Consumer Credit Act 1974
  

• Failure of a default notice to be accurate not only invalidates the default notice (Woodchester Lease Management Services Ltd v Swain and Co - [2001] GCCR 2255) but is a unlawful rescission of contract which would not only prevent the court enforcing any alleged debt, but give me a counter claim for damages Kpohraror v Woolwich Building Society [1996] 4 All ER 119
  

The alleged creditor has not attached any agreement to the petition.

 

REFERENCE TO CASE LAW

 

 

• As the creditor has not provided the credit agreement Wilson v First County Trust Ltd [2003] UKHL 40 states that:
  ‘….the effect of the failure to comply with the requirements of the Consumer Credit (Agreements) Regulations 1983 was that the entire agreement ………….. was unenforceable. The statutory bar on its enforcement extended to First County Trusts's right to recover the total sum payable on redemption, which included the principal as well as interest.’
  

SUMMARY OF WILSON v FIRST COUNTY TRUST LTD (2003) UKHL 40

 

THE WILSON CASE MADE IT CLEAR THAT IN THE EVENT OF NO ACCEPTABLE CONSUMER CREDIT AGREEMENT THEN THE CREDITOR COULD NOT RECOVER MONIES OWED UNDER ORDINARY CONTRACT LAW REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY COULD PROVE THE DEBT EXISTED OR NOT – THIS WAS THE DECISION OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE BINDING IN THIS COURT

 

The law states that without a prescribed agreement the courts may not enforce under 127(3) and

 

1.In the case of Dimond v Lovell [2000] UKHL 27, Lord Hoffmann said , at page 1131:-

 

“Parliament intended that if a consumer credit agreement was improperly executed, then subject to the enforcement powers of the court, the debtor should not have to pay.”

 

2.Sir Andrew Morritt, Vice Chancellor in Wilson v First County Trust Ltd [2001] EWCA Civ 633 said at para 26 that in the case of an unenforceable agreement:-

 

“The creditor must…be taken to have made a voluntary disposition, or gift, of the loan monies to the debtor. The creditor had chosen to part with the monies in circumstances in which it was never entitled to have them repaid;”

 

I refer to LORD NICHOLLS OF BIRKENHEAD in the House of Lords Wilson v First County Trust Ltd - [2003] All ER (D) 187 (Jul) paragraph 29

” The court's powers under section 127(1) are subject to significant qualification in two types of cases. The first type is where section 61(1)(a), regarding signing of agreements, is not complied with. In such cases the court 'shall not make' an enforcement order unless a document, whether or not in the prescribed form, containing all the prescribed terms, was signed by the debtor: section 127(3). Thus, signature of a document containing all the prescribed terms is an essential prerequisite to the court's power to make an enforcement order.”

 

The alleged creditor has not given any proof that the alleged debt is barred by the Statute Of Limitations Act 1980

 

The defendant denies having been served with any statutory demand in the prescribed format. I would state that there are sufficient doubts that the process has not been carried out to the law, neither have I had anything 'served' upon me.

 

Judge Boggis QC - RE AWAN - [2000] BPIR 241

 

Then r 6.15 says:

(1) Service of the petition should be proved by affidavit.

(2) The affidavit shall have exhibited to it -

(a) a sealed copy of the petition, and

(b) if substituted service has been ordered, a sealed copy of the order;

and it should be filed in court immediately after service.

 

'In my judgment, bankruptcy is one of the most serious forms of execution that can be brought against a debtor. In any bankruptcy proceedings it is, in my view, absolutely clear that the provisions as to service must be followed exactly. The rules provide in terms that the petition must be supported by an affidavit of service showing how the petition was served, and express reference is made to substituted service and the way in which that then is to be proved, which involves the affidavit of service having with it a sealed copy of the order.' - JUDGE BOGGIS QC - SITTING AS A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT

 

The defendant has not been provided with any statements for the duration of the alleged agreement (it not being uncommon that some debts are made up entirely of charges)

 

 

The Defendant denies that he is liable to the Claimant as alleged in the petition at all. It is averred that the Claimant has failed to serve a Notice of Assignment in accordance with section 136(1), of the Law of Property Act 1925, in respect of the alleged debt. The amount detailed in the Claimant’s claim, which is likely to include penalty charges, which are unlawful at Common Law, Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company Ltd v New Garage and Motor Company Ltd [1915], under The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999. Accordingly, the inclusion of penalty charges in the purported Notice of Assignment renders it entirely legally unenforceable. The Claimant has failed to comply with section 136(1) of the Law of Property Act 1925, by furnishing a Notice of Assignment in respect of that which is denied, that is inaccurate, W.F.Harrison and Co Ltd v Burke [1956].

The defendant requires sight of the notice of assignment of the debt. In addition the defendant requires proof of service of the Notice of Assignment in accordance with s196 of the Law of Property Act 1925 which is required to give the claimant a legitimate right of action in their own name since it appears this is an assigned debt. the reason the defendant requests this information is inter alia to clarify the dates are correctly stated on all documents , the defendant notes that if there are errors in the assignment it may be rendered in effectual in law per W F Harrison and Co Ltd v Burke and another - [1956] 2 All ER 169

2 -Perfection of the assignment.

 

2.1. I have never received a notice of assignment according in all respects with s136 of the Law of Property Act 1925

 

2.2 I respectfully submit to the court that steps to ensure service of a notice of assignment are only adequate if the requirements of s196 of the law of property act 1925 are complied with regard to either (a) personal service or (b) postal service.

 

2.3 Since the claimant explicitly states the notice was “sent” it is assumed that this was done via the postal service.

 

The requirements for service via the post are

 

Law Of Property Act (1925) s196

.

Regulations respecting notices.

 

(4) Any notice required or authorised by this Act to be served shall also be sufficiently served, if it is sent by post in a registered letter addressed to the lessee, lessor, mortgagee, mortgagor, or other person to be served, by name, at the aforesaid place of abode or business, office, or counting-house, and if that letter is not returned by the postal operator (within the meaning of the Postal Services Act 2000) concerned undelivered; and that service shall be deemed to be made at the time at which the registered letter would in the ordinary course be delivered.

 

3.2 - It is noted that the claimant has, at no time, provided evidence that the notice of assignment was sent via registered post, and if “sent” via any other method, the notice was not sufficiently served

 

3.3 -. I did not receive any notice of assignment in the format prescribed by law and served in the prescribed manner from the respondent, and I have asked the other members of my family if they signed for such a document; they have assured me that they did not.

 

3.4 - To the best of my knowledge, any notice of assignment sent by registered post must, therefore have been returned to the respondent.

 

3.5 - Consequently, I do not believe that any notice of assignment was properly served upon me at the date of the bankruptcy petition, and therefore any assignment has not been perfected in law.

 

The defendant has NEVER had any sort of account / agreement with the alleged claimant and their claim is denied.

 

I gracefully request -

The Judge dismisses the petiton on the above evidence.

The Judge order the claimant to delete all adverse information held on my credit files.

The Judge orders the claimant to pay my full costs in light of the distress and damage to my family and to make an indemnity award

In support of this request, I would also like to refer the court’s attention to the authority of the High Court in the case of:-

Hammonds (a firm) v Pro-Fit USA Ltd [2007] EWHC 1998 (Ch)

In this case, Mr Justice Warren confirmed that it was usual for an indemnity award to be made:-

27 So far as disputed debts are concerned, the practice of the court is not to allow the insolvency regime to be used as a method of debt collection where there is a bona fide and substantial dispute as to the debt. Save in exceptional cases, the court will dismiss a petition based on such a debt (usually with an indemnity costs order against the petitioner).

I believe the facts herewith in this form are true.

[42man]

At the hearing you will need to request the judge either dismisses the petition and award your costs or if it doesn't seem to be going your way request the judge give the alleged claimant 7 days in which to provide a compliant

 

Agreement (executed with the prescribed terms on the signature page)

Default notice (in the prescribed format and correct)

Notices of assignment from the original creditor and the new 'owner' of the debt

Statements for the duration of the agreement

And the affadavit of the process server.

 

Have you requested any documents from the other side as yet ? or carried out a CCA request or a subject access request....you need to show the judge that you have made a reasonable effort to get the paperwork....

[42man]

When you send out everything make sure it is recorded delivery too...

[42man]

If you have never heard of them then PLEASE I urge you to report them to the OFT and your local MP.....and tell the judge this too....

[42man]

You will need to get the witness statement and the affadavit sworn in at the court.....(this is usually free, costs £5 at a local solicitors)....

[lifethrualens]

At the hearing you will need to request the judge either dismisses the petition and award your costs or if it doesn't seem to be going your way request the judge give the alleged claimant 7 days in which to provide a compliant

 

Agreement (executed with the prescribed terms on the signature page)

Default notice (in the prescribed format and correct)

Notices of assignment from the original creditor and the new 'owner' of the debt

Statements for the duration of the agreement

And the affadavit of the process server.

 

Have you requested any documents from the other side as yet ? or carried out a CCA request or a subject access request....you need to show the judge that you have made a reasonable effort to get the paperwork....

 

 

Hi and thankyou 42man, I carried out a cca and subject access request, and can confirm they were recieved on the 26th Feb 2009 and so far I have had no reply.

[42man]

This is just crazy.....and indeed before the hearing if the opposing solicitor wants to talk to you just deny everything and tell them they can talk and you will listen, state that you will withdraw your defence, if they drop this vexatious action AND if they pay your costs....hopefully common sense will prevail....

[42man]

OK in that case they are in default of your request...you will need to add

 

Under section 78 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act A formal written request for any true copies of signed consumer credit agreements was sent to XXXXXX. via guaranteed/recorded delivery on the (insert the date on the recorded delivery slip here Dave) (see attached document 1 – you need to copy the letter and the recorded delivery slip (take 2 copies one for the court and one for the opposing solicitor ) – to date they have not sent any copies of any Consumer Credit Agreements and they are in default of that request under section 78 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act

I believe there are no properly executed signed Consumer Credit Agreements, If they had been able to supply these agreements then they would have done already to avoid slipping in default under section 78 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act

SECTION 78 (1) CONSUMER CREDIT ACT 1974

(1) The creditor under a regulated agreement for running-account credit, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the debtor and payment of a fee of £1, shall give the debtor a copy of the executed agreement (if any) and of any other document referred to in it, together with a statement signed by or on behalf of the creditor showing, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer,—

(a) the state of the account, and

(b) the amount, if any, currently payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor, and..

© the amounts and due dates of any payments which, if the debtor does not draw further on the account, will later become payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor.

The Consumer Credit Act in section 78(6) States that

(6) If the creditor under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a) he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the agreement

It must also be noted that the agreement must contain the prescribed terms.

Consumer Credit Act

8.2 What if prescribed terms are missing or incorrect?

 

s127(3) provides that the court may not make an enforcement order unless a document containing all the prescribed terms of the agreement was signed by the debtor

 

If therefore any of the prescribed terms is missing, or incorrect, the agreement is not enforceable against the debtor, and the court is precluded from making an enforcement order.

(N.B - For the avoidance of doubt the 2006 Consumer Credit Act does not change the above legislation……

The Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (No. 123 (C. 6))

Citation

1. This Order may be cited as the Consumer Credit Act 2006 (Commencement No.2 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007.

Interpretation

2. In this Order “the 2006 Act” means the Consumer Credit Act 2006.

Commencement

3. — (1) The provisions of the 2006 Act specified in Schedule 1 shall come into force on 31st January 2007.

(2) The provisions of the 2006 Act specified in Schedule 2 shall come into force on 6th April 2007.

Transitional Provisions

4. Subject to article 5, section 1 of the 2006 Act shall have no effect for the purposes of the 1974 Act, in relation to agreements made before 6th April 2007. (cont)

5. Section 1 of the 2006 Act shall have effect for the purposes of the definitions of “debtor” and “hirer” in section 189(1) of the 1974 Act wherever those expressions are used in—

a)

sections 77A, 78(4A), 86A, 86B, 86C, 86D, 86E, 86F, 129(1)(ba) 129A, 130A and 187A of the 1974 Act;

(b)

section 143(b) of the 1974 Act in respect of an application under section 129(1)(ba) of that Act; and

©

section 185(2) to (2C) of the 1974 Act insofar as it relates to a dispensing notice from a debtor authorising a creditor not to comply in the debtor's case with section 77A of that Act,

in relation to agreements made before 6 April 2007)

[lifethrualens]

This is just crazy.....and indeed before the hearing if the opposing solicitor wants to talk to you just deny everything and tell them they can talk and you will listen, state that you will withdraw your defence, if they drop this vexatious action AND if they pay your costs....hopefully common sense will prevail....

 

 

If I apply to for the petition to be dismissed within the seven days will i still need to go to the hearing. If so can I not ask for it to be dismissed on the day of the hearing?

[42man]

As for the SAR, well they have 40 days to comply which will be too late, BUT tell the judge what you have done and the fact that you have done everything reasonable to find out more......

 

As for your costs send them with copies of your defence to the court and to the opposing sols...

 

You need to head a sheet of paper with LITIGANT IN PERSON COSTS

 

You can claim back @ 9.25 per hour (so for example - 10 hours of research into Insolvency Laws)

Postage (costs of recorded deliveries and SAR's CCA's etc

Parking

Mileage @ 40p per mile

You can ask for childcare costs too

And possibly unpaid time off work....

 

If need be use this form here - (BUT you will need to change the title to read LITIGANT IN PERSON) - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/dca-legal-successes/156641-capquest-statutory-demand-help-4.html

[42man]

You MUST go to the hearing....

[42man]

You will also need to spend some time reading around these forums and getting a good idea of what is being said in your affadavit.....

[underdog13]

If I apply to for the petition to be dismissed within the seven days will i still need to go to the hearing. If so can I not ask for it to be dismissed on the day of the hearing?

 

I think the general rule of thumb is that it is imperitive to attend every hearing. Never run the risk of giving them judgement by default.

[underdog13]

Sorry about above post - cross posting:)

[42man]

Absolutely.....you may find if you don't attend that you have been made bankrupt !!

[42man]

You should also add this excellent piece that Rory discovered too, even more important as it is an abuse of process....

 

Under Rule 6.12(7) Insolvency Rules 1986 they have 4 months from Service to present the BP. If they wish to present the petition after this time they would need to supply an affidavit to the court explaining why there has been a delay.

 

6.12.— Verification of petition

(7) If the petition is based upon a statutory demand, and more than 4 months have elapsed between the service of the demand and the presentation of the petition, the affidavit must also state the reasons for the delay

[lifethrualens]

Thanks very much for the help, I am about to start my affadavit but is there is a specific form that I need to use or can it be on a4 paper.

Thanks

[42man]

AFFIDAVIT

I (name) of (address), (occupation)

MAKE OATH and say as follows:

____________________________________

Signature

SWORN AT (address)

this day of year

before me,

____________________________________

(A Solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths)

[lifethrualens]

Thankyou 42man, as for witness statement regarding non receipt of sd can that be on a4 paper as well. Thanks in advance.

[42man]

Yes.....as I have done above....and if applicable get your wife/partner to fill in also....