Phillips Distress Warrant- Non payment of Tv License Fine

[Mazza]

Hi. I wonder if anyone can help-feel really desperate.

My partner had a fine thru Nottingham Magistrates Court for non payment of a

tv license. We did not file a defence which I admit was stupid. The fine was for

over £800- a bit excessive we felt.

I am in receipt of DLA & Income Support, there is no way we can afford to pay

this, so , again, stupidly, we hid our heads in the sand & didn't pay or try to

make a payment plan.

We have moved to the South West of the country now & have received a

letter from Phillips, a notice of Distress Warrant.

I tried to phone Nottingham Magistrates court who were very unhelpful. They

said it is too late to set up a payment plan with them as the matter was sent

to the baliffs on 14/9/2010. All they will do is confirm dates with my partner.

Is this right? I am a vulnerable person & my partner is my full time carer. Our

debt is with the magistrate surely, how can they refuse to allow us to pay

them?

I have seen that the baliffs can break in to our home- because of not having a

TV License? Really? Because we didn't pay a private company someone can

break in & take our stuff?

Please help - I am at my wits end over this.

Regards in advance for any help

Mary

[Amy]

Re: Phillips Distress Warrant- Non payment of Tv License Fine

You need to call the Magistrates' Court and ask for a Means Enquiry Hearing and you must do this as soon as possible.

If your circumstances have changed or he believes the fine to be too high, then the magistrate has the power to cancel fines or to order you to make affordable repayments.

[onan]

Re: Phillips Distress Warrant- Non payment of Tv License Fine

my partner is in a similar situation with phillips and i have a few questions i hope you can answer

1) does the fact i am disabled & my partner is my carer affect the situation?

2) my partner has angina & just getting the letter today triggered an attack, will this stop the b*****ds paying us a visit?

thanx for reading, hope you can help

sorry if ive been a bother!

[labman]

Re: Phillips Distress Warrant- Non payment of Tv License Fine

As Amy said previously, you need to contact the court ASAP, make them aware of the facts and ask for a Means Enquiry Hearing.