Print This PageIf you owe someone money they may apply to the Court to have a County Court Summons issued against you.
If you do nothing when this arrives it is likely a County Court Judgement will be made against you. Collection action will follow or even a Bankruptcy Petition will be brought against you.
The Summons (or claim forms) contains details of the case against you.
You can:
- Admit the claim
- Issue a defence and Counter claim
- Issue an acknowledgement of service (which gives time to prepare a defence)
You must respond to the claim within 14 days. If you do not, a County Court Judgement will be issued against you.
If you admit you owe the money you will be able to use the response form issued with the claim to negotiate payment terms with the creditor. The Court will decide how much you should pay. If you cannot afford the amount the Court orders you to pay you may ask the court to re-determine the amount.
It is important to let the Court have a detailed personal budget so they can see how much you can afford to pay.
You can ask your local Citizens Advice Bureau for assistance in responding to a County Court Summons.
When considering how much you can pay,
please consider other debts not just those creditors shouting loudest.
If you have received court papers or think you may be about to receive court papers and would like free confidential advice please contact one of our expert advisers.
