If you are currently helping vulnerable debtors, you may find some helpful materials here.
Helpful Tips
- 10 useful legal points for debt cases
- Helpful reminders when collecting the facts of the case
- Approaches to summonses for non-payment of council tax
If you are uncertain of what to do when helping someone with council tax arrears, this article provides useful information such as seeking an adjournment from the court concerned when a summons has been received instead of writing direct to the local authority as the first step. - Find out if you qualify for legal aid
- How to complain about a bailiff
Find out if you have good reason to complain and where to complain.
You can visit Baillif Advice Online for further information on complaining about a bailiff. - How to appeal benefit sanctions
The Welfare Reform Act 2009 allows for benefit to be cut or reduced (sanctioned) if the benefit claimant does not comply with certain conditions. Here, Alan Murdie sets out what you can do if you are wrongly sanctioned.
Background Reading on Council Tax
- A low key anniversary
by Alan Murdie, featured in Solicitors Journal, Vol 152, 3 June 2008. This articles features the latest changes to Council Tax as it reaches its 15th year. - Wise to the Council
by Alan Murdie, featured in Solicitors Journal, Vol 150, 21 April 2006. This article explains the methods that can be used to ward off over-zealous enforcement actions by local government departments. - Discretion at Council Tax Liability Order Hearings : ” Sentence Frist, Verdict Afterwards?”
by Alan Murdie, featured in Justice of the Peace, Vol 167, 31 May 2003. - Collection of Council Tax arrears good practice protocol
by Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). It makes a number of suggestions on how local authorities and advice agencies can cooperate to manage council tax arrears more effectively