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Debt recovery in the county court

Course Overview

Is debt collection part of your role?

Do you need to understand debt collection legislation or are you conducting debt claims?

Our course has been designed to ensure it will give you the skills you need.

Our practical course provides a step-by-step guide to the procedures for collecting debts through the County Court highlighting all the recent changes. We will examine the issues to be considered beforehand, and explain how to start proceedings and what happens next, with particular attention to such aspects as time limits and charging interest on debts.

You will learn how to avoid being out-manoeuvred by the debtor, how to deal with defended claims and how to enforce judgment as effectively as possible. Legal jargon is explained in plain English, and you will be provided with sufficient information and encouragement to start proceedings on your own, on return to your company.

In most situations the County Courts provide the quickest and most efficient means for debt recovery for companies once normal credit control routines have failed, but virtually all debts up to £5000 will be subject to 'small claims' rules, where you cannot expect to recover solicitors' charges. The most cost effective way is to conduct proceedings yourself and even when your claim is larger, or you choose to involve lawyers if the case gets complicated, you can still minimise your costs and maintain control by working in partnership with your lawyers.

The Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations are now in effect and we detail these new rules in relation to interest on late payments and your right to charge 'collection costs' on overdue accounts. We also cover the recent changes in the enforcement procedure rules, and other changes in county court procedures involving new terminology and time limits, and new forms.

The course is presented by Caroline Harmer, well-known speaker on legal matters, who also has first-hand experience of the problems and decisions involved in credit control having held senior positions in companies in the manufacturing and service sectors.

Comments by Delegates

"Excellent course, excellent & knowledgable speaker. Money well spent!" - Ania Catt, Kyocera Mita (UK) Ltd

"Caroline Harmer is a delightful and personable speaker, witty when necessary and articulate delivery & concise information. Very impressed" - Rosemarie Gee, Terence O'Rourke Ltd

Course Content

Before you start County Court proceedings
  • Making sure you have a good case
  • Understanding your contractual position
  • Remembering the time limits
Starting court proceedings
  • Why choose the County Court, not the High Court
  • Which County Court to choose
  • How to word the Particulars of Claim
  • Claiming interest and other costs
  • Getting the Claim Form issued
  • Avoiding delays
The debtor's response - what to do
  • If they simply ignore the Claim Form
  • If they ask for more time to pay
  • If they offer to pay by instalments
Defended cases
  • Getting rid of nuisance defences
  • Understanding the matter in dispute
  • Counterclaims
  • Tactical considerations
Small claims hearings
  • What is a small claim
  • Procedure in the small claims court
  • Preparation for the hearing
  • What happens at the hearing
  • Presenting the case, some do's and don'ts
Enforcing Judgment
  • How to "enter judgment"
  • Understanding what the judgment means
  • Protecting your position if the debtor looks likely to go bust
  • Enforcement procedures available and which to choose:
    • Obtaining information about a judgment debtor
    • Bailiffs or High Court Enforcement Officers
    • Charges on property
    • Attachment of earnings
    • Third Party Debt Orders
    • Other options

Course Dates and Locations

To book a course please click on the date to take you to the Booking Form.
 
Northampton 23 February 2012
Cardiff 6 March 2012
Central London* 8 March 2012
Barnsley 19 March 2012
Nottingham 20 March 2012
Stevenage 27 March 2012
Central London* 29 March 2012
Oxford 15 May 2012
Preston 29 May 2012
Manchester 30 May 2012
Runcorn 12 June 2012
Bristol 14 June 2012
Southampton 19 June 2012
Exeter 5 July 2012
Birmingham 12 July 2012
Brentwood 2 October 2012
Maidstone 11 October 2012
Farnborough 16 October 2012
Central London* 18 October 2012
Maidenhead 24 October 2012
Cambridge 8 November 2012

Course Fee
£369, *Central London £399 (+VAT) per person.

Reductions are available for companies booking multiple places on the same course (same date) as follows:
•  For 2 places take £60 off the booking total
•  For 3 places take £120 off the booking total
•  For 4 places take £240 off the booking total
•  For 5 places take £340 off the booking total

Course fee includes: course materials, full lunch and refreshments.

Tel: 01202 706222 Fax: 01202 706444
email: training@benchmark-group.co.uk

Reductions are available for companies booking multiple places on the same course (same date):
2 places £60 off the total
3 places £120 off the total
4 places £240 off the total
5 places £340 off the total