marstons bailiff & speeding fine

[PeterPiper]

i was caught speeding 2 yrs ago, pleaded guilty & was fined.

 

unsure how much original fines were, but i have a bill from marstons for £400.

 

in the past i have spoken to them over the phone, they demanded £25pw which i cannot afford. i have tried to contact the doncaster court, but it's always press this , press that and always cuts off.

 

the latest letter states they have the right to enter my home using a locksmith in my absence, is this true?

 

also, if they do turn up with a locksmith do i have to let them in?

 

i'm determined to defend my property , but don't wish to end up in a police cell or have them remove my belongings.

 

any help would be appreciated, but these people are very unpleasant & very unhelpful, i'd rather arrange some sort of payment plan through the court, is this possible?

 

[renegadeimp]

Why didnt you pay the fines originally?

[PeterPiper]

Why didnt you pay the fines originally?

 

i simply did not have the money. i'm self employed & a dad, so i have to split my time with children & work. my wife is a nurse, we only have one income.. end's do not meet now.. gawd knows how i'm going to find £400.

at the moment, payday loans are keeping us afloat but i don't know how long for

 

i know i should have paid at the beginning, but it was not that simple.

[renegadeimp]

Did you tell the courts you couldn't pay so they could arrange a payment plan?

 

You also really need to step away from pdls as they cost you a lot more than they lend.

 

Have you sat down and worked out an I&e and checked what you can cut back on or exchange for cheaper?

[PeterPiper]

Did you tell the courts you couldn't pay so they could arrange a payment plan?

 

You also really need to step away from pdls as they cost you a lot more than they lend.

 

Have you sat down and worked out an I&e and checked what you can cut back on or exchange for cheaper?

 

1. no, i have not been able to get through the automated telephone line at doncaster court to speak with someone, it cuts off if no one answers.

2. i know, we are cutting back, but a months wage lasts less than a week after all bills. sky has gone, all mobiles are on payg, we have 1 car. all spare cash goes on electric, gas & food... we have 3 kids to feed.

3. we will have to cut more.

[renegadeimp]

Well, if you are on a really tight budget, you can cut your sky package right down or cancel completely Thats 20-60 a month right there. It might put you into a bit of debt with sky if you have to pay for hte remainder of the contract, but you can give them £1 a month, and theres nothing they can do about it. Especially if your finances are as bad as you say they are.

[PeterPiper]

i have tried doncaster court again, the automated line has changed, it now gives a contact number for the sheffield magistrates court. i have spoken to a lady in the "fines" dept and she has said i can write in asking the enforcement officer if they will accept a payment plan of some description.

 

with winter looming, our gas bill is gonna rocket i honestly wish i could do a reginald perrin

[renegadeimp]

Yea, she's just passing you back to the bailiff as its a fine you havent paid, nor informed the court of your reasons why.

[PeterPiper]

does anyone know what their next step is? will they have to go to court to gain entry?

 

[tomtubby]

Peter,

 

Please do NOT take this answer the wrong way as my advice is intended at anyone else reading this post as I have serious concerns as to what will happen with ALL debt types (court fines, council tax and road traffic debts) when the new bailiff regulations come into force on 6th April next year. Under the new regulations, bailiffs will be able to charge an "administration" fee and if the debtor fails to engage with the enforcement company a "personal" one off visit fee will be charged.

 

I am so passionate at trying to ensure that debtors address the debts BEFORE they get to bailiff stage.

 

Until yesterday it was the case that the "administration" fee would be £75 and a "visit fee" would be charged at £230. There is serious concern that these figures will significantly increase. We will not know for a few weeks.

 

Coming back to your problem, it is almost certainly the case that with court fines, the courts are far better than any other creditor at agreeing an affordable payment arrangement. However, in cases where the debtor is on state benefits the MINIMUM repayment CANNOT be less than £5 per week (£20 per month).

 

If a fine is imposed and the debtor fails to make any payments then they will consider that the debtor is REFUSING to pay and a Distress Warrant will then be issued and passed to their bailiff provider. I can respond further in the morning but in the meantime have you contacted the enforcement company to make a payment proposal?