fine for car tax what steps to take next ?

[davidS]

I got a fine for car tax of just over £193. I got the court date only 3 days before and wrote to the cout explaining I needed more time to formulate a defence as I was pleading not guilty. However I was simply found guilty in my absence. I again contacted the court but got no reply. This then got passed to the bailiffs. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to pay the fine just to stop it hanging over me. However the baliffs want over £300. I told them at the start of the week I could make a part payment on the 15th of 33% £101 as I have no money at all till then and I wanted prove of the services they want £140 for if not I would pay another £92 the following month but no charges.

All I have got in response is the baliffs have the poweres to take me to prison if I dont pay the full ammount. I emailed them and again made the same offer But I have just rtecived another phone call demanding the full payment today or they will take further action. What id like to know is what steps to take next and if I pay just the fine can they do anything about unproven chargers

[lily]

I really do not know the answer to this but I do feel that they have to be reasonable.

I had a parking fine from my work at a hospital I had parked in a half hour zone to attend a meeting, I was 10 mins late back to my car. Work said they would sort it out for me. I didnt pay the fine and recieved a letter from the baliffs for 200 per cent of the amount they said I owed. I paid 120 pounds and two days later they said I hadnt paid in time and demanded another 189 pounds. I phoned the company who said they had recieved the payment I had made but if I didnt pay the new amount they would come out and clamp the car. I phomed the council and emaled watchdog, I phoned anyone who would listen ... to reason. I was advised to put it into writing to the company, I sent copies of the emails I had recieved fromt the council and I never heard another word. I understand that fines and penalties are subject to legal requirements and hence a legal debt. My advice would be to get advice in writing, and write everything down then you have the evidence that you have tried to sort it out but are genuinely unable to meet the demands made. I really dont think it is serious enough to worry about prison, more likely a scare tactic by the company concerned.

Good luck

[go_4_broke]

Hi David

I think it looks roughly like this.

The Bailiffs don't have any power to imprison you.

I believe about the worst they can do is drag you off to the Court for a Means Enquiry, where it will be decided what you ought to pay.

If you are where I think you are you can save a lot of bother by simply doing this yourself. Contact the Fines Department of the Court to arrange a date when you can attend for a Means Enquiry hearing. This is a very simple hearing, where you will be required to complete an Income & Expenditure form so that the Magistrates can agree repayments at an affordable level.

You would only ever be imprisoned if the Magistrates decide you can afford to pay something but have refused or not made any effort to do so.

I think you may be stuck with the charges though, these may have to be included in any repayment schedule. If you do nothing, the Bailiffs are most likely to try and nab your car as a first shot.

Yes and following on from what Lily says above they will jack up the charges at any and every opportunity, so whatever you do do it NOW.

Best Regards, Simon