https://legalbeagles.info/forums/ first steps and make a new thread in the forum with as much information as you can.]]> en Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:42:42 GMT vBulletin 60 images/themes/legalbeagles/misc/rss.png https://legalbeagles.info/forums/ https://legalbeagles.info/forums/forum/legal-forums/court-claims-and-issues/received-a-court-claim/1720765-solicitors-facilitating-vat-fraud Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:41:42 GMT
I'm in a civil dispute (as a defendant litigant in person in England) with a building contractor. The Claimant is trying to recover 4k I withheld due to serious defects with his work (gas & electrical safety breaches, leaking toilet and shower...and a lot more), delays, and unfinished works.

He admits in his claim that there are defects and unfinished works, but says in his reply to my defence and counterclaim that the money is for subcontractor VAT. However, 2 of the subcontractors he has submitted VAT invoices to me for are not VAT registered, he added VAT on one of his company invoices but his company isn't VAT registered, lots of the invoices are heavily redacted so I can't even see a breakdown of the works, and one invoice is charging VAT on 8k for a single job he quoted 1.3k for in his contract.

His solicitor is refusing to unredact due to "confidentiality", and they've ignored every request I've made asking them to confirm the basis of the VAT claims since Jnauary 2026. I was able to unredact one invoice myself and it's addressed to a different company owned by the Claimant (I've checked Companies House and cant see any arrangement between the 2 companies).

I suspect the other redactions are hiding works done on other projects/properties.

The solicitor also haven't provided inspection of disclosure documents since my first request 2 months ago (I'm submitting a disclosure application shortly).

I've reported the VAT issues to HMRC, but can anyone please let me know if this is something I should be reporting to the SRA, and the Claimant's insurer who are funding his claim?

Any advice would be appreciated.]]> Received a Court Claim? HappyBunnies https://legalbeagles.info/forums/forum/legal-forums/court-claims-and-issues/received-a-court-claim/1720765-solicitors-facilitating-vat-fraud