Debt recovery question

Author
Discussion

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Unfortunately, I lent a former work colleague of mine 3 grand, they then disappeared from work and although still responding to my texts I am no nearer getting the money back from them 12 months on. Basically they are fobbing me off.

They also no longer live at their previous address and I have no idea where they now live (although I'm fairly sure of the general area).

What would be the best next step and how would I go about finding out their new address?

I'm aware of the court claims procedure or what used to be known as the small claims court, but as I don't know their new address I'm at a loss how to start it.

Any help would be appreciated!

megaphone

10,934 posts

258 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Do you have any evidence it was a loan? Letters, emails? He could say it was a gift.

Countdown

41,996 posts

203 months

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
megaphone said:
Do you have any evidence it was a loan? Letters, emails? He could say it was a gift.
Yes. I've got evidence.

zarjaz1991

3,721 posts

130 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
I’ve a nasty feeling you’d be better off writing this off as a bit of a life lesson, unfortunately.

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
zarjaz1991 said:
I’ve a nasty feeling you’d be better off writing this off as a bit of a life lesson, unfortunately.
You could well be right. But even if I can't get the money back I'd like to make sure they have a CCJ etc against them. They also own their own property or a mortgage if that changes anything?

Narcisus

8,242 posts

287 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
zarjaz1991 said:
I’ve a nasty feeling you’d be better off writing this off as a bit of a life lesson, unfortunately.
Is this from experience ?

zarjaz1991

3,721 posts

130 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Narcisus said:
Is this from experience ?
To an extent, yes. Both myself and others.

zarjaz1991

3,721 posts

130 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
CarlosSainz100 said:
You could well be right. But even if I can't get the money back I'd like to make sure they have a CCJ etc against them. They also own their own property or a mortgage if that changes anything?
Is it possible to get a CCJ without it being a fully legally documented and agreed loan? If it is that, then it’s probably worth doing the letter before action. After that you’re in the position of throwing good money after bad. Sometimes it can be on principle but that rarely ends well, or cheaply.

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Yes it is possible. Thank you for the poster who posted the tracing link. That will be very useful.

Rufus Stone

8,192 posts

63 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Once you find the address, file a County Court claim via the Money Claim website.

If you get a judgment for full payment and he doesn't pay, you can apply for his bankruptcy or apply to lodge the debt against his home at Land Registry. He then can never move home without paying you.

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
That sounds just what I'm after.

Thanks 👍🏻

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
[quote=CarlosSainz100]That sounds just what I'm after.

Thanks!

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Rufus Stone said:
Once you find the address, file a County Court claim via the Money Claim website.

If you get a judgment for full payment and he doesn't pay, you can apply for his bankruptcy or apply to lodge the debt against his home at Land Registry. He then can never move home without paying you.
Presumably this would also stop them remortgaging?

Rufus Stone

8,192 posts

63 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
CarlosSainz100 said:
Presumably this would also stop them remortgaging?
I think so. You would have a Charge on his house authorised by the Court and I think anyone seeking to put a new Charge on would need your permission.

Simpo Two

87,036 posts

272 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Rufus Stone said:
CarlosSainz100 said:
Presumably this would also stop them remortgaging?
I think so. You would have a Charge on his house authorised by the Court and I think anyone seeking to put a new Charge on would need your permission.
Or rather than wait 20 years until he moves house, get High Court bailiffs to take his car away. That usually gets the wallet open. You just need a CCJ first.

zarjaz1991

3,721 posts

130 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Or rather than wait 20 years until he moves house, get High Court bailiffs to take his car away. That usually gets the wallet open. You just need a CCJ first.
Depends if he owns it outright and if it’s worth enough to cover the debt and the fees, which will be substantial by that point.

Also if he needs it to earn a living that can be a defence against it being taken.

zarjaz1991

3,721 posts

130 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
Usually such people cave in long before all this. The letter before action very commonly jolts people into sorting it. If not the summons normally does.

CarlosSainz100

Original Poster:

581 posts

127 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
They work from home so not having a car wouldn't be an issue.....

Can someone with a bit more experience in this area than me explain how a court would workout how much they would have to pay and when and how? Assuming they respond in the first place?

What I really don't want is for them to agree a pitiful amount a month to pay back.


C69

531 posts

19 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
This explains the final stage of the process: https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/enfo...

Once judgement in your favour has been granted, the debtor will have the opportunity to convince the court that he can only afford to repay you 50p per month.

Hopefully he's not self-employed, because then you could obtain an attachment of earnings to ensure you get your 50p on a regular basis.