Its actually 33 days from the date of claim form, not service (service of the claim form is 5 days after the date of the form + 14 days to file a defence + a further 14 if you acknowledge the claim).
I would refer back to post #11 and use the template I uploaded before you consider drafting your defence. It will help you when you need to explain whether you admit or deny the allegations.
As for quantifying damages for harassment, cases are few and far between so it might be difficult to grasp what sort of damages you might be entitled to. It is likely to turn on the number of times you were harassed, how the harasser carried out the harassment e.g. in person, over the phone, email etc.
Ferguson v British Gas 2009 is the prime example of a claim for harassment though I am not sure your issues are the same as those set out in that case.
Potter v Price 2004 is another case which confirmed that sinister and alarming emails as well as anonymous phone calls in relation to a commercial debt can amount to harassment.
One thing to consider is that harassment for civil claims is a statutory tort and has been made akin to personal injury type cases in relation to the distress and anxiety. The reason why I mention this is because the small claims track will be the usual track for personal injury claims up to a value of £1,000. Therefore if you claim anything beyond this in terms of harassment, you open yourself up to the possibility of paying legal fees and may outweigh a claim altogether. You should consider limiting any claim for harassment to no more than £1,000 if you want to keep it on the small claims track.
I would refer back to post #11 and use the template I uploaded before you consider drafting your defence. It will help you when you need to explain whether you admit or deny the allegations.
As for quantifying damages for harassment, cases are few and far between so it might be difficult to grasp what sort of damages you might be entitled to. It is likely to turn on the number of times you were harassed, how the harasser carried out the harassment e.g. in person, over the phone, email etc.
Ferguson v British Gas 2009 is the prime example of a claim for harassment though I am not sure your issues are the same as those set out in that case.
Potter v Price 2004 is another case which confirmed that sinister and alarming emails as well as anonymous phone calls in relation to a commercial debt can amount to harassment.
One thing to consider is that harassment for civil claims is a statutory tort and has been made akin to personal injury type cases in relation to the distress and anxiety. The reason why I mention this is because the small claims track will be the usual track for personal injury claims up to a value of £1,000. Therefore if you claim anything beyond this in terms of harassment, you open yourself up to the possibility of paying legal fees and may outweigh a claim altogether. You should consider limiting any claim for harassment to no more than £1,000 if you want to keep it on the small claims track.
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