Hello

[Suezee]

I think this may be just the place I need to be for advice re dealing with creditors. I feel like I've been chasing my tail .... sooo many sites out there, I'm now more confused than ever.
I'm specifically looking for advice on how to deal with a company called Coltman Warner Cranston LLP , in particular the person who is dealing with the debt. He claims to be a Paralegal, I'm unsure if that would be right because as far as I know Paralegals work for Solicitors and not debt recovery companies? I do have further questions but I would much appreciate if someone would tell me if this could be correct or whether the company is just trying to appear as though they're a law firm.
Thank you.

[Amethyst]

They seem to be a no win no fee debt collection law firm, you should have a look at the original debt before they ( well the original creditor) did try to take it further. They are SRA regulated as a Recognised body law practice and do have Solicitors there. SRA number is 427844. So yes, they can have a paralegal.

So to start with I'd look more at the actual debt, what kind of debt is it ? Are they threatening court action? Do you want to give a bit of background on this, what the dispute was etc and see what you can do from there.

[Suezee]

Thank you for your quick reply.
The debt belongs to my son, I'm acting on his behalf as he is suffering from severe anxiety and depression owing to the sudden death of his partner earlier this year.
it's a non priority debt. He voluntarily left his employment last year following a spell of I'll health and had apparently been overpaid by £849. Most of this has been repaid by monthly instalments with £99 remaining. He wrote to the company asking if he could reduce his payments to £10 per month and explained his situation but they failed to reply. I should mention that he recently submitted a claim for employment support allowance. He has no income or any other money. Also be defaulted on the last two monthly payments as he was waiting to hear it his offer of £10 would be accepted.
The letter demanding payment in full by the company I mentioned arrived today ....and yes they have threatened court action if he doesn't pay the full amount in thirty days.
I would have thought that they would need to be aware of of his financial situation and personal circumstances before issuing threats?

[Amethyst]

Okay, so the amount owed isn't disputed ? ( although you say 'apparently overpaid' - was there some uncertainty regarding this? did he simply resign while he was off sick ?)

It seems likely he can write back to CWC with his offer of £10 a month due to his circumstances. It would help if he can get an income and expenditure sheet filled out ( if he can get help from CAB ( or if he's not up to a face to face he can use the NEDCAB DMP tool to produce one - https://nedcab.cabmoney.org.uk/dmp.asp )

Have you got a copy of the letter CWC sent him ? and any copy of the letter he wrote to his ex-employer originally making the offer? Might help to put together a response to CWC.