Business account over 19,000 in bank charges.** SETTLED IN FULL ***

[bottomburp]

Dolfos, I have a suggestion for you with regard to legal representation.

 

Whatever happens do not sign up for a no win no fee solicitor and be very careful indeed if you go to a solicitor - you need someone who specialises in insolvency and there are very few insolvency specialists out there. They may claim they know what they're talking about but our experience is that they don't!

 

There is a wonderful, charitable organisation called the "Bar Pro Bono Unit" which was set up to help people who don't qualify for legal aid and who can't afford legal representation. If you succeed in getting your case approved for assistance the Bar Pro Bono Unit find a barrister who specialises in the necessary area and, if possible, has chambers near you.

 

You may well qualify.

 

I have taken the following from their website.

 

" Who can get help?

You may be able to get help in your case if the following applies:

• You cannot obtain public funding (legal aid)
  
• You cannot afford to pay for the help you need, or get it elsewhere
  
• Your case must usually have legal merit
  
• Any single piece of work for which assistance is requested will not take more than 3 days

The Unit is a charity with limited resources, and can only help in some cases."

 

I realise that I'm not allowed to post the link on here but you should find it easily on Google. I just searched it and it was the first entry on the page.

 

We've been lucky enough to have help from one of these barristers and it's a truly amazing service.

[bottomburp]

thanks for this is this the one you go through via CAB called the law works? If not this is another possibility which sounds very much the same where cases are taken on pro bono if selected and fit similar criteria as you have mentioned. Will be looking it ll up. thanks again

 

No, it's nothing to do with the CAB. This takes you direct to a barrister, no solicitors are involved - and I can't tell you what a relief that is! You have to compile your dossier yourself and send it to the Bar Pro Bono Unit. The case workers then asses it and if they feel there is merit to the case they pass it to the panel who decide whether they can help you or not. Your case is very interesting and could be setting legal precedent and that is why I think that the BPBU (please excuse abreviation) would find it interesting and would support you.

 

If you decide to have a go please feel free to PM me and I'll do everything I can to help you - tell you what we sent etc.

 

I really think it is an avenue worth exploring. The barrister we have been "allocated" has been totally amazing and we wouldn't have been able to afford him or anyone of his calibre in a million years.

[bottomburp]

Dolfos, Did you see the Money section of yesterday's Sunday Times? There's are article on page 19 - "BANKS RAKE IN 1,200% ON OVERDRAFTS". It's about a quarter of a page long so I won't post it all on here but here's the link Banks rake in 1,200% on overdrafts - Newspaper Edition - Times Online

 

In it is says "Walter Merricks, the chief financial ombudsman, said banks should now pay customers' claims in full even before they get to the FOS, or explain why their charges are legal."

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and yours.

 

Best wishes.

[bottomburp]

Go for it Dolfos!!!!!!! Best of luck. What about the bit where he says anything given will be paid towards your debt with recovery agency. Perhaps you should say something about that, or will that come later?

 

Annie

 

Dolfos, Since your husband is in an IVA then I think the "lovely Mr Cuff" will have to think again about paying any reclaimed charges directly to the collection agency. My understanding is that it should go into the "pot" and get divided up pro rata. How can these people in positions of power be allowed to get away with making these misleading comments without even getting a rap across the knuckles?

 

Good luck.

[bottomburp]

When you receive a "without prejudice" letter it means that you cannot use it as evidence in court UNLESS both sides agree that it can be used.

[bottomburp]

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[bottomburp]

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