Advice

[inthecup]

Just wandering if any of you guys can give me some legal advice.

Got someone trying to do me for some money. Went to see a solicitor today and for the amount I'd be claiming for there's no point using him as the court fees would be too much. He suggested I represent myself. Any of you guys ever done this and if so what's your experience of it?


Cheers

 

[Hobbit]

Just wandering if any of you guys can give me some legal advice.

Got someone trying to do me for some money. Went to see a solicitor today and for the amount I'd be claiming for there's no point using him as the court fees would be too much. He suggested I represent myself. Any of you guys ever done this and if so what's your experience of it?


Cheers

If its a relatively small amount, i.e. less than £5k, do it via the small claims track in the County Court - Google will tell you how.

 

[MegaSteve]

Used the small claims court procedure many years ago... Citizens advice bureau assisted me in the first instance [was before the days of www]... If I remember correctly it cost £15 to initiate the claim... Basically you get around a table with the person you are making the claim from and an arbitrator... You state your case the other guy has their say and hopefully you get awarded your money... I was quite lucky and the other party was told to cough up... Been told by others its not always as straightforward...


Ooops... Just noticed your in Scotland... Sure its going to be a reasonably similiar procedure...

 

[MegaSteve]

Should also add you won't necessarily get your money in one go... I was after £1700 and they were allowed to pay me back over a year... They pay the money into the court and they forward it onto you...

 

[woody69]

Have a read of this

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rig...ms-court/using-the-sheriff-court-in-scotland/

 

[Warbur]

I'm afraid I've no idea if/how Scottish law is different to England but I use Thomas Higgins Solicitors' online service for chasing late payments - http://www.thomashiggins.com/

You have to set up an online account and then input all details youtself but a letter before action costs just £2 and a late payment demand is £4 (both prices plus VAT).

I've used it a few times for collecting retention money for subcontractors and it has worked every time.

 

[Scott1505]

In the process of going through something similar myself. Fortunately my wife's uncle is a solicitor so he has helped with some letters initially. The company has 5 more days to get back to me before I submit the claim to the small claims court which is for up to £3000. See here fore more details - http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/small-claims

 

[inthecup]

Cheers guys.

The initial amount was for £3,600 but I offered a settlement of £2,800 with £1800 upfront and £1000 payed in instalments. This was refused and I got offered £2000 with the full amount in instalments.

Probably looks like I'd be better to keep it at £2800 to stay within the small claims.

Part of me wants to accept the 2k just to wash my hands of it but its a lot of money to loose.