Help visit from Phillips !!

[debbie251]

I have recently left my partner and am now a single mum of 2 living in temp accommodation the other end of the country.

My partner called me today saying 2 bailiffs from Phillips have been round with a warrant for my arrest for non payment of fines for £535 !!

I don't know what this fine is for, and have never had a visit previously to discuss this matter !!

I have e-mailed Phillips today querying the fine and have yet heard back off them.

I am now very worried as I have no income and don't want to arrested as my 2 children only have me here !

Please advise on what to do !!!!

[Amethyst]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

Did your ex-partner give any reference numbers/further details? You could check with the Fines Dept at your previous locations magistrates court as they should be able to tell you if there is anything against you.

How long ago did you leave that property ? Any letters prior to then, with a warrant it would be something like unpaid tv licence, a driving offence fine or possibly parking ticket ? It would also have had to have gone through a the courts before reaching this stage.

An arrest warrant would usually be issues to bring you before the court, where you can make your offer to pay (if its a legitimate fine) - this would be set at an affordable amount based on your circumstances.

Someone else will be along shortly who is much more up to date on these issues than I am, but I would try contacting the fines dept at court with your previous details save you worrying.

[debbie251]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

thanks for that, he gave me a reference number which I found on the Phillips website, confirming the amount and a warrant issued, but not what for !
I left there just under 2 weeks ago and know I have had no previous correspondence or visits as, as a couple we were getting debt advice from CARA and i would have added it to the pile !!
I will try and contact the courts back home and see what they say.

[Amy]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

I think it is much more likely that this is a Distress Warrant or possibly a Warrant of Execution.

A Distress Warrant would be for non payment of a magistrate's fine, such as non payment of a TV licence or other driving offences. Do you know if you had/have a valid TV licence?

If it were for non payment of parking fines then it is more likely to be a Warrant of Execution.

Was any paperwork left?

[debbie251]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

It wouldnt be parking fines as I have never had them and haven't been driving for over 2 years !
Could be the TV Licence as i didnt have one for a couple of months when my partner got made redundant and i stopped the payments ! I had a visit ages ago from a man from tv licencing and he set up a new one for me then, which is still current.
What is a distress warrant??

[Amy]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

A Distress Warrant just means that the original fine is a Magistrate's fine and therefore criminal as opposed to civil.

You really need to find out what this is for and to check you have a current TV licence. TV licensing are notorious for getting things wrong.

[debbie251]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

I have a current tv licence, just paid the next payment and changed the address on it to where I am currently living, I have also e-mailed Phillips with my reference number asking what the fine is for
Should I do anything else or wait for Phillips to get back to me?
I am now living 200 miles away from the address that they attended, and cant afford to travel back there to attend that court, as i am now a single mother of 2 on benefits.

[Amy]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

Just sit tight until Philips get back to you, there isn't anything more you can do.

You didn't give Philips your new address or anything else did you?

[debbie251]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

No or my phone number all they have is my e-mail address, the address they went to is empty of my stuff but my ex worried they will access it and remove his things.

[Amy]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

Excellent.

They cannot remove anything or do anything to your ex as the debt is (allegedly) in your name.

Sit tight and see what they come back with, if anything.

[debbie251]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

Thanks Amy, I feel 100% better already !

[Amy]

Re: Help visit from Phillips !!

No worries, let us know as soon as you know anything xx