Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on)

[Amethyst]

So for general awareness and warning.... these are to come in on March 9th, really only affects claims over £15k, so isn't hugely going affect the type of claims we deal with which tend to be small claims under £10k, but those over £15k the issue fee is going up a lot, the fee for a £15k claim is going up from £550 to £750, a £20k claim up from £550 to £1000, a £30k claim up from £550 to £1500, and so on. A £200k claim is going up from £1315 to £10,000

So thinking back end, if a creditor sues you for a loan of £20k costs of £1000 will be added instantly they issue a claim.




There's also rumblings and consultation on further changes but to application fees and repossession claim fees. The application fee is going to be of major concern, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it - I have lodged our opposition to it, for what that's worth.

[Amethyst]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

bbc parliament live right now is interesting....

[dan_1207]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

This is coming into effect on Monday.

[Tools]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

County court backs law student McKenzie Friend scheme

Drake: legal advice centre of last resort

Huddersfield County Court has backed a scheme in which local law students act as unpaid McKenzie Friends to help litigants in person.
Phil Drake, senior law lecturer at Huddersfield University, said duty solicitors at the court would approve suitable cases when the scheme launches later this month.
He said a district judge had briefed a group of around 20 students on how the court system worked, what they can and cannot do as McKenzie Friends and the purpose of being one.
After they acted as a McKenzie Friend, Mr Drake said district judges would give each student a brief feedback session on their performance and what they might do differently.

http://legalfutures.co.uk/latest-new...-friend-scheme

[dan_1207]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

We're trying to get this introduced nearer the West Mids, so hopefully this will help!

[Amethyst]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

Brilliant. It's really needed, all over the country. Gives the student an really useful experience and the feedback from the Judge is a great idea.... and it will really help people who fall outside the system for help. We could do with those law students coming on here (and other similar sites) and helping in real cases ( informally of course).

[pt2537]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

This is coming into effect on Monday.

Wrong, it takes effect for anything sent to the Court and not marked as received by Monday, if you issue today, then the Court wont get it til Monday then you will be stung with the new fees. The fee remissions are also now very interesting too.

[Amethyst]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

They are complicated aren't they PT I was reading them on someones blog ( Gordon's possibly) yesterday.


Ah nope - it was Kerry Underwood - https://kerryunderwood.wordpress.com...ee-remissions/

[dan_1207]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

Wrong, it takes effect for anything sent to the Court and not marked as received by Monday, if you issue today, then the Court wont get it til Monday then you will be stung with the new fees. The fee remissions are also now very interesting too.

Which means it comes into effect on Monday.

[dan_1207]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

Brilliant. It's really needed, all over the country. Gives the student an really useful experience and the feedback from the Judge is a great idea.... and it will really help people who fall outside the system for help. We could do with those law students coming on here (and other similar sites) and helping in real cases ( informally of course).

I'd like to think that the other students in my class would be interested in it. I'll mention it to them, as they're also in practice.

[Amethyst]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

We're always grateful for any help.

I wonder if there is a way we can set up a McKenzie friend type scheme through the forum.... or if it would fail at the first hurdle - regulation.

[pt2537]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

Which means it comes into effect on Monday.

No, my point is, if you send a claim form today as a LiP say for a claim for unfair credit card charges, youre now going to have to plan ahead as the fee will be the higher level.

[Amethyst]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

If you whack it in on MCOl you'll be okay though ?

TBF most unfair credit card charge claims wouldn't be affected adversely as they are below £15k.

[mystery1]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

Dan if that is something that interests you, you could offer to act in sub £10k as a lay representative as it's pretty much an automatic right sub £10k.

There are plenty of those on the forum although how many are near enough to you, i don't know. Hope admin would approve

M1

[Amethyst]

Re: Court Fee Changes - March 9th 2015 (possibly - there's a LOT of argument going on

Yes of course. I think it is an area that warrants further investigation and thinking about all round tbh.

Back on the huddersfield bit - http://www.hud.ac.uk/news/2015/febru...tostrength.php

spread that through out the countries universities and make it accessible to those who cannot visit the legal advice clinics etc ( eg by enabling contact/communication online) could be seriously worth thinking about.