Lawyer Destroyer

Yes, you can ask the court to allow you to pay a judgment debt by instalments rather than as a lump sum. This is a common and well-established procedure. How this works in practice: If a county court money judgment has been entered against you, you have the right to apply to the court to … Read more

If a County Court Judgment is paid in full within one calendar month of the date of the judgment, it will not appear on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines, which is the register that credit reference agencies use to record CCJs. The key date is the date of the judgment itself, not the … Read more

This is a common and often very frustrating situation. The short answer is yes, it is possible to have a County Court Judgment removed or set aside if you were never served with the claim form, but the route depends on the specific circumstances. Legal position: A CCJ can only be properly entered against you … Read more

A default judgment is a judgment entered against a defendant who has failed to respond to a claim within the required time. In most cases, this means the defendant did not file an acknowledgment of service or a defence within the time limits set out in the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). How default judgment arises: … Read more

This is a common question and the answer depends on what type of hearing it is, which court or tribunal you are in, and whether the absent party has given any prior notice or explanation. Here is a general overview of the position in England and Wales. Civil courts (County Court and High Court): If … Read more

Yes, in England and Wales courts have the power to decide cases or particular issues without a hearing in a number of situations. The answer depends on which court you are in, what type of case it is, and what stage you have reached. Civil cases in the County Court and High Court: Under the … Read more

This is a common situation and the answer depends on the type of hearing, the court involved, and how much notice you have. Here is the practical and legal position. The key principle: Courts expect parties to attend hearings. If you simply fail to turn up without explanation, the court can proceed in your absence. … Read more

This is a practical question that comes up frequently, and the answer depends on the type of hearing, the court or tribunal involved, and the specific circumstances. General position: Courts and tribunals in England and Wales have broad powers to allow parties, witnesses, and legal representatives to attend hearings remotely by video or telephone. This … Read more

No, you do not need a solicitor to represent you in the county court or in small claims track cases. You have the right to represent yourself in person, and many people do so successfully. The courts refer to people who represent themselves as "litigants in person". Here is how the different tracks work in … Read more

A small claims court hearing is the final stage of a small claims track case in the county court. It is designed to be informal and accessible, so that people can represent themselves without a solicitor. Here is what to expect. Before the hearing: You should receive a notice of hearing from the court, usually … Read more

This is a question that comes up very often, and the answer depends on which elements you are asking about. Here is the position for each. Court fees: If you win your small claim, you can recover the court issue fee and any hearing fee you have paid. The court will normally order the losing … Read more

This is a really important question, but the honest answer is that it depends entirely on what your claim is about. The evidence you need is shaped by the type of dispute, what you are claiming, and what the other side is likely to argue. That said, I can give you a solid general framework … Read more

Starting a small claim in England and Wales is relatively straightforward and is designed so that individuals can handle it without a solicitor. Here is a clear explanation of the process. Check you have a valid claim: Before anything else, make sure you have a clear basis for saying the money is owed. This might … Read more

Short answer: Yes, they can. There is no absolute legal bar on issuing a claim without first sending a letter before action. However, doing so carries real risks for the claimant, and it may work to your advantage if they have skipped that step. Legal and procedural position: The Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols Practice Direction, … Read more

A letter before claim is a formal letter sent by someone (or their solicitor) before they start court proceedings against you. Its purpose is to set out the claim they intend to bring, explain the basis for it, and give you the opportunity to respond, settle, or narrow the issues before the matter goes to … Read more

Yes, you can absolutely do this. It is a common and perfectly proper approach in civil proceedings in England and Wales, and the court rules specifically cater for it. How it works: When you receive a claim (whether through the County Court or the High Court), you are not forced to choose between defending the … Read more

This is one of the most important things to understand about civil litigation in England and Wales, because the consequences of ignoring a county court claim form are serious and entirely avoidable. What a county court claim form is: A claim form, usually Form N1, is the document that starts a civil court case against … Read more

Receiving a county court claim form is serious and time-sensitive, so it is important to act quickly and carefully. Here is a clear outline of the legal position and the practical steps you should take. Understanding the claim form: The claim form will usually be Form N1. It will set out who is bringing the … Read more