Business Rates Bailiff and Committal

[Barry]

I lost a long battle with my Local Authority in January at Magistrates Court concerning past Business Rates for approx £24,000. The LA appointed Bailiffs who have attended many times but they couldn't levy and never gained access to any premises. The Bailiffs returned the file to the LA.
The LA have taken it further with a hearing for committal in three weeks, i am not in a financial position to pay but i did offer £1000 per month last Feb which the LA refused.
Whats the likelihood the Magistrate will commit and what defense can be given.
Any help appreciated.

[bluebottle]

Re: Business Rates Bailiff and Committal

The LA will have to explain their refusal to accept payment. Their behaviour could be seen as unreasonable. I would strongly advise you to speak to your local Law Centre at the earliest possible opportunity. Their advice is free.

[ploddertom]

Re: Business Rates Bailiff and Committal

It's a shame you didn't pay them anyway as this would have helped put a spanner in the works. All is not lost as a Committal Hearing only orders imprisonment as a very last resort and they could order the Council to accept what you have offered.

Is it worth asking you to resurrect what your original complaint was about, a new angle may surface you could use.