Simple procedure accepted

[Lunabean21]

I have accepted a simple procedure debt and budgeted to pay it off before the last response date. I have now received a letter from Equivo and there has been another £300 added to the debt for ‘fees’ which I cannot afford to pay. Can they add on ‘Fees’ of this much? The last date of response is 20/09/22. I am in Scotland and on doing some research have noted that the maximum charge that can be applied is £150, is this correct? I have contacted Equivo and stated I can pay the original amount immediately. Can anyone help?

[des8]

I believe court fees and allowable expenses should be included in the original claim , but not sure!
tagging ScottishSolicitor for you

[ScottishSolicitor]

Recoverable expenses depend firstly on the value of the claim. How much is the principal sum sought from you?

[Lunabean21]

It was £1106

[Lunabean21]

ScottishSolicitor It was 1106

[ScottishSolicitor]

Are there limits on the amount of expenses which can be awarded?

In a disputed claim there is normally a limit on the amount of expenses which can be awarded to the successful party (these are often referred to as “capped expenses”) and apply if:

• the value of the claim is £300* or less - there will normally be no award of expenses.
• the value of the claim is between £300* and £1500 - the maximum amount of expenses which can normally be awarded by the court to the successful party is £150.

So £150 but if it were me I would tell them I would pay the £1106 only for a quick settlement or that plus £150 if they dont back down

[Lunabean21]

ScottishSolicitor i have had a response and they have said the following

We can confirm that we have referred your offer to see if this can be accepted, however as the full balance would not be paid off, this will be accepting only as a partial settlement and will reflect on your credit file as partially satisfied. Once we have received a response we will advise you of the same whether your settlement offer has been accepted.

I will be paying the full amount of the debt and not the charges they have decided to add on. Can they do this?