Hi Caro, I tried to enter the Mercantile link, but was refused access. I'm due to go tomorrow, and could do with the help. Thanks, regards, Dan

Thanks Fendy, what stage are you at so far? Regards, Dan

Well being cynical, I think they will probably settle for pretty much anything rather than go to court lol

Hi People, Just for the record, I included the vast majority of Advantage Gold charges in my claim, arguing that the only reason that I had switched to the advantage gold account was because my branch manager bullied me into upgrading to get a better rate of interest on my consolidatory loan. When detailing my charges on my spreadsheet for Cobbetts I listed the charges as detailed on my statement, which meant they were listed as "Charges" and Natwest never questioned the issue, and have settled in full. Dan

Hi People, Just for the record, I included the vast majority of Advantage Gold charges in my claim, arguing that the only reason that I had switched to the advantage gold account was because my branch manager bullied me into upgrading to get a better rate of interest on my consolidatory loan. When detailing my charges on my spreadsheet for Cobbetts I listed the charges as detailed on my statement, which meant they were listed as "Charges" and Natwest never questioned the issue, and have settled in full. Dan

PP I think I first tried taking them to court in November too - I like the idea of compensation for the confidentially clause - are people having much success with this plan?

PPMan159 I was happily waiting for my court date when a letter and cheque from Corbetts turned up out of the blue, using the usual we are right, but as a commercial decision its better to settle the claim then take it to court line lol. I hope this helps. Dan

Thank you Fendy, is there a standard letter that I should use for this? Dan

Thanks Alf, I never received a court date, but then again I also amended my claim. I did also get bouced around the courts a little - I applied online first at Northampton, then went to Bromley, and they then moved me to the Mercantile Court - apparently all bank charge cases are being moved there - although I think that might just apply to Bromley. Keep going Mate and good luck. Dan

Hi Everyone, I have recieved a cheque today from Natwest for £3542.53 which includes £2688.81 in charges and the interest that they charged me, (I also included the monthly advantage gold charges claiming that the only reason I ever had my account upgraded was because of the overdraft extension that I needed to pay for these charges and that Natwest advised me the interest on that type of account was preferential) and £633.72 in interest for the at the usual 8% interest rate. I'm tempted to hold out for the interest at 29.5% (to reflect the interest rate that Natwest would have applied to my account if I had borrowed this money from them), but maybe i should play it safe and take the money lol. If anyone wants any help with their claims, please feel free to contact me at and I will do what I can. Take care, Dan

I have today received a cheque from Natwest for £3542.53, which reflects the £2371 in actual charges, £371.81 in interest that was charged as a result of these charges, £633.72 in interest added at 8% and also £220 in court costs. I had amended my claim to £4585.35 applying the interest rate for unarranged borrowing on the account at 29.5 percent rather that the usual 8% that is applied by the courts. Having got a cheque in my hand I'm tempted to accept this, what does everyone else think about it? Cobbetts have advised me that Natwest will not pay more than 8%, has anyone successfully got back the contractual interest at 29ish percent? Dan

Arhhhhhhh just took too long amending my post and lost it all LOL. Ok, well I will see how much of a difference it makes and proceed from there. Cheers, Dan

Ok, I'm trying to make a working example of the above to demonstrate it more clearly. My statement reads as follows from 1st July 05 to 1st August 05 01/06/05Unpaid

Advoc, I was just thinking about claiming the interest that was charged due to the actual charges rather than all money owed on the overdraft on that specific day - I appreciate that I borrowed that money and therefore have a responsiblity to pay the relevant interest back.

121 the bit about "irresponsible lending" was kind of said in jest in as much as if someone came to you and told you that they were in financial difficulty due to their gambling addiction, would you offer them an extra grand? Kind of like giving an alcoholic some champagne and saying there there it will be ok! lol Not that sensible if you ask me. But all I have attempted to claim for are the charges that apply to unpaid cheques and direct debits and unauthorised borrowing fees.

The Advantage Gold £8 monthly fee was for having an advantage Gold account - the only reason that I took up this type of account was because I was pressured into opening it in order to get a better rate of interest on the consolidatory loan that I would possibly have never needed had these charges not been added to my overdraft in the first place.

Ok, so I understand about the fee now thanks for the clarification. As for the interest, I believe there are two types, the 8% under the statutory County Courts Act, which I'm fine with - its my understanding that that makes up for my loss of potential investment. And also the interest that Natwest charged me for being overdrawn. I will also have been penalised for the interest that I have paid Natwest in for "borrowing" the money to pay the charges that I am reclaiming at 14.99% within my overdraft limit and 29.5% for the occasions when these charges took me above my limit. Obviously if the charges had not been applied there would have been no interest to pay? Surely I can therefore claim back the charges and the interest paid to Natwest as a result of these charges, and then apply the 8% as allowed by the court to the total figure?

Thanks Advoc, do you think it would be sensible to adjust my claim at this stage?

Thanks 121, so I could try a secondary claim for the Advantage Gold charges and add the interest to this, although it may be safer to try and amend the claim. Where do I get the N244 form from? I thought the £120 that was paid to Northampton was to cover the court costs? So this is an additional charge then? Thanks. Dan

I am unsure if I have made a big mistake with my claim against Natwest. I have issued a claim against Natwest for around £2,700. This covers the charges and the 8% interest that I can add. I have today received an Allocation Questionnaire - all of which happened before I found this site. My dilemma is this; I now feel that I should also try to claim back the additional interest that I have incurred due to these charges taking me over my overdraft limit, and also being persuaded to change to an Advantage Gold account to get a bigger overdraft. Can I add these charges to my claim or is it too late, and if it is too late can I make a secondary claim using the first case as a precedence to recoup this interest? Finally in the letter from the court it advises me that I need to pay £100 to Bromley County Court, is this in addition to the £120 paid to Northampton Court for my online application? Thanks for all help with this matter, regards, Dan. P.s. if anyone wants to try and have some real fun in the courts with me, I'm currently 7 months into a residential treatment programme for a gambling addiction - which was obviously not helped by my spiralling debt. Natwest were as helpful as ever, when I approached them about my problem in the past they simply offered me a consolidatory loan for my current loan and overdraft and suggest that the extra £1,000 should help me out! I'm not exactly sure where this fits into the banking code and irresponsible lending but there you go!

I am unsure if I have made a big mistake with my claim against Natwest. I have issued a claim against Natwest for around £2,700. This covers the charges and the 8% interest that I can add. I have today received an Allocation Questionnaire - all of which happened before I found this site. My dilemma is this; I now feel that I should also try to claim back the additional interest that I have incurred due to these charges taking me over my overdraft limit, and also being persuaded to change to an Advantage Gold account to get a bigger overdraft. Can I add these charges to my claim or is it too late, and if it is too late can I make a secondary claim using the first case as a precedence to recoup this interest? Finally in the letter from the court it advises me that I need to pay £100 to Bromley County Court, is this in addition to the £120 paid to Northampton Court for my online application? Thanks for all help with this matter, regards, Dan. P.s. if anyone wants to try and have some real fun in the courts with me, I'm currently 7 months into a residential treatment programme for a gambling addiction - which was obviously not helped by my spiralling debt. Natwest were as helpful as ever, when I approached them about my problem in the past they simply offered me a consolidatory loan for my current loan and overdraft and suggest that the extra £1,000 should help me out! I'm not exactly sure where this fits into the banking code and irresponsible lending but there you go!