First time for everything, small claim's court...

[samthescam]

Anyone got experience of this? I have for the first time had to sue someone, and honestly am not looking forward to it. Only £200, but it's the principle.

 

I'm dealing with an accountant, and so far she has tried it on no end, including:

 

- Claiming we poisoned the dog (we never used glysophate in the end), when I asked for a vets report apparently we were bullying her.

 

- Claiming we didn't do what she asked us to... However two weeks after the job she claimed to be happy and wanted us to come back and turn the ground over to get the rest of the money.

 

- Claiming that she has shown workmen before... I'm not sure I'd want to brag about shafting people over, but she seems to think it's a badge of honour.

 

- Leaving dog **** all over the garden when we were in there. And also being stupid enough to let her tiny little dog out without telling us when we were brashing up in the garden...

 

So yer... I know she is going to try and say we are cowboys, any advice for the small claims court from people with more untrstworthy customers?

[MikeTM150]

have used it twice, once with good success from a chap who just thought he could get away without paying me. Second time wasn't so good, discovered that not even courts can get some people to pay without it costing a small fortune. It ended up costing what the chap owed, but by then it was the principle of the job!

 

Go for it, but it won't be quick or pleasant but sometimes u gotta do what ur principles make u do!

[Pete Tattam]

have used the system once. Go to the County Court and speak with staff there, I found them very helpful. As it's "only" £200 should be pretty straightforward. You will have to fill in a form obviously with a basic statement of the facts. Be as concise as you can without leaving out any pertinent details. Include date/times you were there working, the size/complexity of the job etc. Also her apparent happiness with the job at the time. There is an option to accept arbitration which basically means someone from the court will phone both parties and try to find a compromise. You don't speak with the other party yourself. My case went to arbitration and the other party buckled and paid up. Seems the chancers quite often do when they realise you actually mean it when the court gets in touch and they realise how much it could cost them. Unfortunately you don't know if you've got a chancer untill you set the ball rolling. Hard core bill avoiders are different. I have a mate who went through the whole business to recover £500. Court found in his favour but other party still didn't pay. Court issued a "Warrant of Distress" so that baillifs could remove property to value of bill owed, which they did (including covering their costs). However my mates final bill ran out at £785 so he was £285 out of pocket. Start the process but if it becomes clear you are on a loser my advice would be to bale out and cut your losses.l

[Mark James]

For £200 I wouldn't be done with hassle.

Yes there's the principle of the thing but I feel I would put my efforts into making money, instead of trying to get such an amount back.

 

 

Sent from my aye phone using Tapatalk

[geoff]

For £200,I would just return the chippings nice & early on a sunday,preferably when the weather is wet & horrible,I find itsurprising how a lot of these small jobs can generate a couple of loads of chip!

[Mortimer Firewood]

Go for it 200£ or 200000£ its the principle and if you don't stand up to her she will just have someone else over. What exactly were you doing for her.

[felixthelogchopper]

For £200,I would just return the chippings nice & early on a sunday,preferably when the weather is wet & horrible,I find itsurprising how a lot of these small jobs can generate a couple of loads of chip!

 

Just chip, or a bit of 'bully'?

[Justme]

If she is a proper accountant having a CCJ will screw up her job.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Whatever you do, stick to facts and reason. One thing that will go in your favour is if the other party drift from the a b c of the matter into petty personal attacks.

 

I personally would goad them into doing just that

 

 

Sent from my iPhone cos it was

[easy-lift guy]

Sam go for it. As suggested come to court dressed and prepared for court. I believe she will have her chance to give her side of the case first and your best bet is to politely listen and take notes. I would not allow her to play the emotion card with you. Observe the 3 C's meaning cool, calm, and collective. Do not interrupt her presentation, after she has presented her case your up at bat and remember stick to the facts and don't waste the courts time let her do that. You will both have a chance after your presentations to go at it, just remember do not go to her level. She is more than likely banking on it. Been there and done that and I did win except the $$$$ was 10 times what your suing for and I won!

easy-lift guy