Legal - some help appreciated

[elwarzio]

I have a problem with a UK company we had a deal with.

Basically the situation is this, we hired them to do some work for us, they took it, asked for money to be transfered to an offshore, I didn't like it but complied as this is a real "physical" company, not some under-the-stairs operation, and b/c for this particular work there really wasn't anyone else I could deal with.

Unfortunately, they haven't done the biz, it's been over two months when it should have been a week, and now they won't even answer my calls.

The ammount is about £10,000. What can I do about this, considering money was paid to an offshore account (probably a "dummy")? I'm in Portugal, can't really travel to the UK atm, would a lawyer cost me more than the actual loss or is it worth trying?

Any help / comments really appreciated.

Thanks!

[Pot Bellied Fool]

elwarzio said:

I'm in Portugal, can't really travel to the UK atm, would a lawyer cost me more than the actual loss or is it worth trying?

Don't bother with a lawyer, all they'll do is charge you to send some pricey letters & then pass it on to a specialist agency.

There's a lot of debt collection agencies that only employ thugs (and will even buy a debt off you) but I don't really recommend those, better to get a reputable outfit that will investigate, report & take legal action as required on your behalf. Including winding up, bailiff or Sheriff action as required.

I'd recommend Chambers Legal in Liverpool, I know they do the odd bit of International stuff but as your rogue is a UK based outfit then they shouldn't have any problems. Think they do payment both by retainer & by results but you'd need to talk to them.

Try dropping an email to colin.taylor <at> chamberslegal.co.uk

Good Luck - PBF

[elwarzio]

Thanks mate, I'll try them for sure.

Thanks,
Luis

[v12v8]

If they are a UK entity, do a companies search on them. If they look substantial and have assets, and by that I mean they have other clients as well, then you can consider serving a statutory demand on them.

However, before doing anything, I would take some legal advice. You need to establish:

1. the legal entity you contracted with and their nationality
2. the place of the contract - if it was abroad, then the appropriate forum, may be to sue them in your home country, and take advantage of the legal remedies there - these may be better than the UK

As an example, if a US company owed £ in the UK, you would typically get a UK judgement and then try and enforce it against them in the US. I say typically, because not all circumstances require the same approach.

Conclusion: go and see a lawyer asap.