New to Site and Bailiffs

[zanet]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

Thank you all for your help. At this point, I think we are going to try again contacting the original court, which was Warwickshire. They weren't too helpful the first time, hanging up after saying we had to deal with Collectica. Collectica aren't very helpful either as they don't want to explain the fees. I am not speaking to them by telephone any more, instead any communication with them shall be done by letter or email, as I can't see them actually saying anything on the phone and besides their so-called bailiff didn't tell the truth about many things, so why would they?

Thanks again for all your help. I do accept that when the first letter finally came to our house, we should have acted immediately, as the time has gone on a bit now. That is down to my husband, not me .... I didn't know anything about it until the bailiff showed up. Doesn't matter though because we still have an issue that's going to affect me if it's not sorted.

[zanet]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

If that is the case he should be applying to the original Court to swear a Statutory Declaration to the effect he knew nothing of the fine until the Bailiffs turned up at your new address. This is supposed to be done within 21 days of him being aware of the matter so he may need to argue the point of not knowing. If the original Court is some way away then arrangements should be made to do this at a Court nearer to where you live. When speaking to the original Court you need the Court Manager or Fines Officer - don't be put off by whoever answers the phone.

Collectica knew very well they had been chasing a shadow at an old address & should have notified the Court about all of this whereby the summons could have been re-issued. If you need Court phone numbers let me know & I'll dig them out for you.

If you have numbers for Warwickshire Magistrates Court, that would very much be appreciated. If we can get any help from them, we can visit our local magistrates court and talk to them in person. Thank you.

[Kati]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

Warwick combined court

01926 429133

enquiries@warwick.countycourt.gsi.gov.uk

enquiries@warwick.crowncourt.gsi.gov.uk

Warwickshire Justice Centre
Newbold Terrace
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CB32 4EL

[ploddertom]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

There appears to be so much wrong with this. I honestly cannot envisage how an original fine of £80 has got so high without thinking about someone lining their pockets at your expense.

[zanet]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

Thank you for the numbers and email addresses. Do you think it's worth emailing them with my query? I don't seem to get far on the phone.
And in reply to you ploddertom .... even the woman at Warwickshire agreed that it seems outrageous that an £80 fine has turned into £955. I believe this money is all going into the collections company's pocket, not the court at all. I don't understand why they just don't deal with the person instead of farming out debts to collections agencies when they have to pay for their services and it must outweigh what the original debts are.
I have no idea how it got to that point and we may never know .... but maybe we can get it sorted.

[pepsie]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

I think what PT is trying to establish is ....did you ever get the summons to attend court to answer to the speeding charge? If you had moved house and all the paperwork to the above was sent to your old address then you need to tell them that. If you had been served the summons and attended the hearing you would have been offered the opportunity to agree with the court a repayment plan based on your income and expediture.

As it is looking very much to be the case you did not receive the summons and were therefore denied the right to be heard, you can make a declaration to that being the case.

I have to agree the £80 fine should be nowhere near the £900+ you are being asked to pay, you need to contact the bailiffs and ask for a breakdown to this amount, do this initially by email but also send hard copy of the same use recorded/signed for mail to ensure there can be no doubt you have made this request.

[wales01man]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

The Courts don't pay the Bailiffs the poor person being chased does.

Would like to see the courts acting as bailiffs instead of a private company

[bizzybob]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

The Courts don't pay the Bailiffs the poor person being chased does.

Would like to see the courts acting as bailiffs instead of a private company

Yes a court bailiff would be a civil serpent therefore on a salary with no incentive to be creative with fees.

[bluebottle]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

There is a piece of legislation called the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 which allows cases to be referred back to court in these circumstances. Contact the court and quote this Act. Don't take any nonsense from them. Collectica have a reputation for not playing strictly by the rules.

[zanet]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

Collectica will not discuss anything with us, either me, because of Data Protection (even though they will threaten to take my belongings), nor my husband. We are to deal with the so-called bailiff only. Now we have found out that the original court has put a 14-day hold on the bailiff taking any action against us. But neither the original court, Warwickshire, nor the court here in Doncaster will help us in any way. I have gotten conflicting information from different sources as to the bailiff breaking into our home and taking things. As I understand it, they can only take "joint" possessions, even though the bailiff clearly said he would take things that were mine.
I can't see this being a good situation merely for the fact that Collectica aren't willing to work with us in any way. They have been paid £180 towards the account and yet they are still asking for the entire £955, why hasn't the balance been changed? As I said, they will not speak to us about anything, all they do is hang up on us. At this point, I am giving up, not speaking to them, not paying them and not letting anyone in. I think I'd rather be arrested at this stage, even though it isn't my fine. Can't be any worse, can it?

[Guest]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

There is a piece of legislation called the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 which allows cases to be referred back to court in these circumstances. Contact the court and quote this Act. Don't take any nonsense from them. Collectica have a reputation for not playing strictly by the rules.

Which part of this act are you referring to BB, perhaps the information would be more use to the OP if they had the appropriate sections to quote which were relevant to their case.

[Kati]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

Go to your local MP and get her/him to write to Collectica, they are not being professional and they need to give you answers :tinysmile_hmm_t2:

[zanet]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

Go to your local MP and get her/him to write to Collectica, they are not being professional and they need to give you answers :tinysmile_hmm_t2:

Oh, you mean Ed Milliband .... yeah, I can see him being very helpful, but thank you for the suggestions.

[Kati]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

or ... contact CIVEA (Collectica are governed by them):

Civil Enforcement Association
513 Bradford Road
Batley
West Yorkshire
WF17 8LL

??

[ploddertom]

Re: New to Site and Bailiffs

Pointless going to CIVEA as they are funded by the Enforcement Co's and don't find fault with them. I would persevere with your MP however even if he is the Labour Leader as it would be worth pointing out that a lot of this is as a direct result of interference by Government & I'm sure if were to refuse then how would he explain himself to the right wing press.