HELP! My court date is tomorrow for my bank charges. At the 11th hour, Lloyds have paid the money into my account, HOWEVER, they have taken further bank charges since I put in my court claim so the money they have paid me is short of the total amount. I spoke to Lloyds' solicitors today (who have requested I cancel tomorrows court date) and I told them I want the other charges that Lloyds have taken since I put in my claim. The solicitors told me that I could not ask for them and I would have to put in for another court claim to get them back, as I had nothing on my claim that said I wanted on going charges refunded also. Now, I trust Lloyds' solicitors about as far as I can throw them, so what I want to know is, is this true or can I push them for the money? Please help, the clock is ticking! Yours gratefully in advance, Dan

The court date with Lloyds is for £500 in unlawful bank charges that they owe me. I went through all the different channels to get it back, but they wouldnt pay up, so I now have a court date.

I opened an account with HSBC in August 2000, when I was 18. Over the first few years I received alot of charges, I then ended up with a thousand pound over draft, that also incurred charges. Finally I took out a 2 thousand pound loan that blew me out. I went through a period of unemployment, couldnt make my loan repayments and had my account terminated and handed over to a debt recovery agency. At the time I owed £3k, I now owe just under £2k. In the last 6 months, I have become aware of illegal bank charges and I have a court date with Lloyds in Nov. I intend to claim back my bank charges from HSBC and have postponed any repayments, until the matter is resolved. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS.... Can I only reclaim my charges and interest OR can I also claim that HSBC's unlawful bank charges were a significant contributory factor to me going into debt? Thus getting them to cancel my debt or atleast take a significant chunk out of it? Answers on a postcard...

...if bank charges are illegal, which they undoubtably are, how come banks aren't prosecuted for breaking the law? If I was to get your card and pin number and take £35 out of your account and I was caught, I would be prosecuted for theft, if the bank does it, they are just ordered to repay the amount plus interest. This seems strange to me? The law states that bank charges are illegal, so therefore taking bank charges is against the law and therefore, surely the police should be involved? I love the idea of calling the police to report a theft from my bank account and when they say "Do you have any idea who committed this theft Sir?", I would say "Yes, Lloyds TSB". I doubt this would work but I dont see why it wouldnt work??? Answers on a postcard...

Thats great mate, cheers. Any idea how I can calculate the interest myself?

Hi All, I have some questions... 1) When I applied to the small claims court, there was an option that asked if I wished to receive interest on the money Lloyds have taken from me. As I am entitled to 8% APR, I ticked the box, but I did not write down the 8% APR would be. Can I still claim it or should I have written down an amount? How do I work out the amount? 2) After I put in my claim, I changed Banks, to Nat West. I left my Lloyds account for dead, as it had some charges to come out. Then, my Mam, paid in some money to the wrong account, so Lloyds have now taken further charges, after I have made my claim. Am I going to have to make a second claim or is there a way I can change the amount before my court date in November? Any advice is welcome, Cheers, Handsome Dan

Too true mate, too true. Im counting the days, until I will be the Uk's smuggest git.

Hi Kotum, What can I say, that was just what I didnt want to hear, but cheers for letting me know, much appreciated. The solicitors do seem very disorganised. Oh well, when the money comes through, it'll pay for a few xmas presents. I'll just consider it an investment 'til then. My favourite thing about this whole tussle with Lloyds, about bank charges, is that they always say "We are sorry to hear that you feel the bank charges are illegal". They never put "bank charges are legal", which shows how right we all are. Has anyone ever contacted the solicitors directly to hassle them? Ive got time on my hands and a few irritating e-mails to Lloyds and the solicitors will keep me amused in the meantime.

Yeah, it is a long way off! Im not worried about the court, because I dont think for a second that they will oppose me in court, not for such a small fee, but what I dont get is, there's loads of people who have requested more money than me and the bank has paid up a lot sooner, so why are they taking so long to pay up such a relatively nominal fee?

Hello one and all, Im requesting £255 + my £30 small claims court fee + 8% APR. *I wrote to the bank, listed the unfair charges and requested them back *They responded and said "No" *I responded and said that if I didnt receive my money back, I would have to start court proceedings *They still said no *I started court proceedings on the 9/6/06 *They entered a defence *I filled out the questionairre *I have been sent a court date of 3/11/06 Now, obviously, Lloyds arent going to face me in court, for the small matter 0f £285 + APR, financially, its not in their interests, but what I want to know is, are they just going to not turn up and let me win by default? Will I have to wait until the court case or is there a way of speeding up this process? Should I contact Lloyds? Any advice appreciated!