Shoosmiths/Arrow County Court (MBNA Europe Bank Limited)

[James1971]

They have very up beat call hold music, am in queue...

[Amethyst]

It's just lulling you into a false sense of security ... sometimes I get carried away singing along to the music by the time someone answers I've half forgotten what the heckerslike I rang up for in the first place

[James1971]

It's just lulling you into a false sense of security ... sometimes I get carried away singing along to the music by the time someone answers I've half forgotten what the heckerslike I rang up for in the first place

I was thinking something similar, imagining all these aggressive disgruntled callers jiggling their toes to the tune!

[Amethyst]

... then just forgetting to be angry - pretty good plan really.

[James1971]

... then just forgetting to be angry - pretty good plan really.

Exactly, there's method in the madness!

[Amethyst]

If anyone ever answers the phone of course... xxx

[James1971]

OK I rang the Northampton County Court Business Centre they confirmed the last thing to happened prior to the transfer to Carlisle was I filed my defence, I asked specifically if the Claimant had responded and no they had not. So I guess I wait to hear from Carlisle court.

I have been looking at the Stepwise Debt Charity to get my debts into some kind of order. Because I am self-employed (via a Limited Company) I do not fit their remedy but they have directed me to another service aimed at people in my situation. I mention this because I want to ensure I do not prejudice thing with this claim. Is there anything I should bare in mind do you think, I have not initiated anything yet, I wanted to get my accounts settled, which show I'm not sitting on a pile of cash.

Also, bare, this may all be totally of no relevance, but in case it is - I have a long term chronic illness, which has developed to the point that I scratch a living. I am on working tax benefits and I have just been awared PIP (Personal Independence Payment) Daily Living Allowance. I have also been referred for counselling/therapy relating to the chronic illness and severe fatigue but also for Post Traumatic Stress. One of the things discussed has been the role this trauma played in a reckless disregard for financial decisions which led to the accumulation of over 40,000 of debt and the behaviour, actions that led to it.

My medical condition led to me having to give up a well paid career and switch to a lower stress life - the reality of course is a low income and all this debt is the cause of much stress.

Anyway I wanted to put this out there in case anything is relevant.

[Amethyst]

OK I rang the Northampton County Court Business Centre they confirmed the last thing to happened prior to the transfer to Carlisle was I filed my defence, I asked specifically if the Claimant had responded and no they had not. So I guess I wait to hear from Carlisle court.

Okay good and as expected Well done for calling them to check xxx

OK I rang the Northampton County Court Business Centre they confirmed the last thing to happened prior to the transfer to Carlisle was I filed my defence, I asked specifically if the Claimant had responded and no they had not. So I guess I wait to hear from Carlisle court.

Always a good idea to try and go through everything and get things in some kind of order so you can start moving forwards without worrying about things jumping up at you...most of these kind of debt purchasing companies really only want you to engage with them ...

they have directed me to another service aimed at people in my situation

What service is this? The standard pro rata debt management plan isn't suitable - did they mention the Vulnerable Registration Service ( https://www.vulnerabilityregistrationservice.co.uk/ ) at all ? or are they thinking bankruptcy / IVA way ?

Also, bare, this may all be totally of no relevance, but in case it is - I have a long term chronic illness, which has developed to the point that I scratch a living. I am on working tax benefits and I have just been awared PIP (Personal Independence Payment) Daily Living Allowance. I have also been referred for counselling/therapy relating to the chronic illness and severe fatigue but also for Post Traumatic Stress. One of the things discussed has been the role this trauma played in a reckless disregard for financial decisions which led to the accumulation of over 40,000 of debt and the behaviour, actions that led to it.

Yes it is relevant... I don't know Arrow as much but I know that the other main debt companies have specific 'vulnerable' person departments and procedures - they know they are buying crappy debts and the last thing they want is to push anyone to an early grave - hiding from them because you're scared is entirely understandable, but once you start trying to get back on top of things you you have to remember that these companies don't know anything at all about you, and unless you engage with them they won't, so, once you've sorted out your income and expenditure sheets with stepchange so you know what is affordable/not at all affordable etc and have all your debts accounted for prorata and have a plan... now would be a good time to write to Arrow and give them the info on your health circumstances and offer a low monthly payment to keep the case out of court and away from a CCJ.

My medical condition led to me having to give up a well paid career and switch to a lower stress life - the reality of course is a low income and all this debt is the cause of much stress.

Sounds like a good idea until you try and do it... but once you get through sorting all this old debt stuff out things should get a lot easier.

[James1971]

I appreciate the advice. I thought contacting them would be an idea, you read so much stuff implying you shouldn't engage with them. I'm taking onboard your advice. If I could get them to accept a small monthly payment that would take the pressure off while I work through the process taking advice on a solution/way forward for my debts.

Stepwise has a remedy tool that you can run through to get advise, it pretty quickly points out the following:

"If you’re self-employed and looking for help with your debts, please contact Business Debtline on 0800 197 6026, or online at www.businessdebtline.org.

They offer specialist help to the self-employed, including advice on tax implications, court proceedings and business liabilities, and will also be able to help with any personal debts.

You should contact Business Debtline if:

• you’re self-employed and are seeking advice for yourself
• you’re self-employed and are seeking advice on behalf of you and your partner
• your partner is self-employed and you’re seeking advice for both of you.

If you’re not self-employed and would like to continue through Debt Remedy, please click on the ‘Back’ button and amend the 'Employment' question to 'No'."

[Amethyst]

That seems like a good next step ( business debtline are fine btw - I just wanted to make sure they weren't sending you for any IVA/Bankruptcy type stuff before knowing your full circumstances )

While you wait to see what Carlisle do with the court claim, chatting with Business Debtline and working with them to come up with a plan / remedy seems like a really good idea. You'll know your numbers and feel more in control if it comes to negotiating a settlement with the court claim debt. I'd do that first. Be open with BusinessDebtline about your health issues... I know it'll be a tough conversation, but I tell you what, it will be a bloody relief to know you're starting to get stuff sorted out.

[James1971]

That seems like a good next step ( business debtline are fine btw - I just wanted to make sure they weren't sending you for any IVA/Bankruptcy type stuff before knowing your full circumstances )

While you wait to see what Carlisle do with the court claim, chatting with Business Debtline and working with them to come up with a plan / remedy seems like a really good idea. You'll know your numbers and feel more in control if it comes to negotiating a settlement with the court claim debt. I'd do that first. Be open with BusinessDebtline about your health issues... I know it'll be a tough conversation, but I tell you what, it will be a bloody relief to know you're starting to get stuff sorted out.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I will do that!