Got a Court Date - would this be a good / bad idea? ......

[Guest]

Hello Everybody,

I started legal action against a local independent retailer. The retailer has admitted the problem, however we cannot agree on the amount that I should be paid.

We initially went to mediation where I offered to split the difference between our figures (less than £200) however we could not agree on the conditions that he wanted.

We now have a court date for February and I have to pay a court hearing fee of £110 in January - frustratingly (and I think that this was the plan of the other side) I would have been better-off accepting their lower offer than paying the fee and getting what I want!

I was thinking of writing to him, confirming the court date and highlighting the fact that following the hearing he will have a CCJ which would not look good for future potential customers ...... could this be used against me in some way at the hearing (we have just filed all papers) ?

My gut tells me that this could be seen as a "threat" and not be a good idea, but I am frustrated in the whole process that has dragged on for some time.

Does anybody have any tips or advice to nudge him to pay before I have to pay the court fee?

Many thanks for any help.

[ploddertom]

You have to remember that there is no guarantee he will get a CCJ as you say because there could be every chance he could win and ask for his costs against you. Tread very carefully.