Small Claims Court - procedure
Posted: November 8th, 2016, 4:55 pm
In March 2016. i issued a claim for non-payment of my fees. Doesn't happen very often that I have to issue proceedings (maybe once or twice a year, once in a while) and usually the sort of people I deal with then pay up, full of apologies. In this case the defendant is defending the claim. I don't have any experience but the sum concerned isn't worthwhile instructing a solicitor to act for me so I thought I could do it myself.
The defendant's reasons I consider spurious and probably a misunderstanding of case-law; also the defendant confirmed that I could require an interim fee so in the hope of skipping this claim I issued an interim invoice for the same amount but that has not been paid either. Anyhow, the court notified us the matter would be mediated and we should keep some dates/times available but then informed us that no one was available. the matter was then transferred to another court.
For reasons that need not concern, I amended my application to ensure that the name of the defendant was in fact correct. The defendant hadn't corrected his name following receipt of the claim which made me think he might try to wriggle out it. I telephoned the court and was told a simple letter explaining would suffice so I did that, only for the judge to state that a letter is not an application. I forked out more money in court fees, the application was granted I received confirmation.
Since then, nothing. What should i do? Contacting the court office I did not find not easy, different telephone numbers, redirected here and there no one seemed to know. Any suggestions?
The defendant's reasons I consider spurious and probably a misunderstanding of case-law; also the defendant confirmed that I could require an interim fee so in the hope of skipping this claim I issued an interim invoice for the same amount but that has not been paid either. Anyhow, the court notified us the matter would be mediated and we should keep some dates/times available but then informed us that no one was available. the matter was then transferred to another court.
For reasons that need not concern, I amended my application to ensure that the name of the defendant was in fact correct. The defendant hadn't corrected his name following receipt of the claim which made me think he might try to wriggle out it. I telephoned the court and was told a simple letter explaining would suffice so I did that, only for the judge to state that a letter is not an application. I forked out more money in court fees, the application was granted I received confirmation.
Since then, nothing. What should i do? Contacting the court office I did not find not easy, different telephone numbers, redirected here and there no one seemed to know. Any suggestions?