This topic was closed on 03/07/19. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

This topic was closed on 03/07/19. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

See My thread Molly-in-the-trolly Vs First Direct for details

Recieved letter today from DG Solicitors as you predicted Monkey. Been bound to silence but put this way anyone claiming you will soon have FULL success!!!! Thanks to everyone for all their help and advice and for this website. Since claiming First direct have charged us another £300 so round 1 again....and again...and again... until they stop charging us so much money for nothing. Good luck to all.

Thanks both of you for that. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. One thing though, given the amount of my claim, how much do you think I should accept as an offer minimum????

Looked up claim on moneyclaim site tonight. First Direct have achnowledeged the claim. It says that they have 28 days to respond from this date (20th April 06).

Hi Dogberry, I have also filled claim with Fd, so I just wondered Have they offered full settlement then if you do not discuss it with anyone? How long since you filled the claim have they written to you? Thanks

Good luck

Hi, Look at my thread "Molly in the trolly Vs First Direct" It may help you with your question- there is lots of info from Bank Fodder on there about seperate claims.

Mjanet, they are already on the litigation in progress page- do you mean the detials of the notice of issue?

Recieved notice of issue today for the above claim against First Direct from Northampton County Court. First Direct have until 1st May 2006 to reply, so I wait with baited breath!!!

I emailed Stephen Hone about BF's reply and he advised me to do 1 big claim for all 3 accounts or 3 seperate claims for the 3 seperate accounts. He advised not to do 2 seperate claims for my account in 1 or 2 stages as the judge will not like the fact that I am clearly trying to play the system and will ask why am i sueing the same comapany for the same thing twice. I am going to do 1 big claim as this is cheaper in court fees. I am going through moneyclaim which will automatically allocate my claim to fast track. He thinks that even if they put in a defence they will start to make offers eventually. What ever happens at least there are people like BF and Stephen to advise people like me. I'll keep you all up dated, and thanks to everyone for all your help and advice with my queery.

When you say make the claim £4700 and then the rest what do you mean exactly? When would i then be ale to claim the balance for my account?

I emailed Stephen Hone as well and he gave me his phone number to ring him. For anyone else out there with the same problem as me, Stephen's advise is that to put in two seperate claims is illegal so to put in all claims as 1 big claim on fast track so you are capped on only paying up to a max of £750 court costs. If they put in a defence then you only pay £750 max costs. Hope this is helpful if you have the same problems as me. I'll keep you all posted.

Hi I am claiming on 3 accounts and therfore doing 3 seperate claims, I would advise you to do the same.

Please can anyone advise me on my situation. I am now taking First Direct to small claims court using moneyclaim. However i have a problem- We are claiming for 3 seperate accounts: My husbands account for £365.77 Our joint account for £1770.93 and my account totals over 6 years £6080.47 I really want to keep the amounts within £5000 so we keep within small claims court limits should it go to small claims court and I was going to do 3 seperate claims but my account claim is over £5000. If I do 2 further seperate claims for my account by doing 1 for overdraft and 1 for uncleared directdebits etc its still does not go under £5K becuase the uncleared transactions only totals to about £500. therfore one of my claims will still be £5500. Do you think it would be okay to do 2 seperate claims for me- 1 for dates 2000-2003 and a 2nd claim for 2004-present? Or will the court see this as a dodgy move? please help as i dont know know what to do. Thanks in advance your help is really appreciated.

Hi all, Got letter from First Direct today in response to our 2nd letter before court action. Ir basically says the same as the first letter about terms and conditions blah blah and a very unuseful leaflet about the ombudsman service which went straight in the bin. We are starting our moneyclaim now for just over £8000 across 3 accounts. Wish us luck! has anyone else had a similar response to their letter before court action and if so what are you doing about it?

We sent them them all at the same time and together. Then we got 2 replies together on the same day. I them wrote another 3 seperate letters. i am going to treat them all as 3 seperate claims because otherwise the total claim for the 3 accounts is over £5000 the limit for small claims court. Also First Direct always send my husband and I seperate copies of our joint account statement. I think they have to by law so i guess its better to send seperate letters to them too. Good luck with your claim how much are you claiming back? Let me know how you get on, we have sent the letter before court action and the 14 days runs out on 7th April.

i think there are a lot of us at the same stage with First Direct - I bet they are all having alot of meetings and doing alot of overtime!

i too have several accounts with first direct- a sole account, a joint with my husband and my husband has a sole account- we sent 3 seperate letters and both signed the joint account letter and changed all the wording to "we" and "us". I think this is best as they always like to deal with people seperately eg: data protection and all that.

I too recieved the same letter and have sent them the letter before court action giving a further 14 days before i take them to the small claims court. The 14 days is up on 7th April

I also got a standrad relpy from First Direct mentioning the ombudsman. I have sent them the letter before court action, suggest you also do this giving them 14 days to respond (in the library section)

Hi I have read all the info on money claim and been on their website, and just wanted to clarify, am I right in thinking we can put an £8000 claim through money claim, is it just small claims court where the limit of your claim is £5000??? Thanks Krissy

just typed up, going out in the post today! Thanks Krissy

Hi, We sent first direct the standard prelimary letter in the library section for 3 accounts-mine (6 years), my husbands (2 years) anf joint account (2 years), we are owed by a total of £8000 over the 3 accounts. here is there response: Dear .... Thank you for your letters dated 17th march 2006 requesting refund of all bank charges incurred over the past 6 years. First direct does not agree with your contention that the charges are unlawful and therfore unenforceable. The contract between the bank and its customer is governed by our Account terms and Conditions. In respect of overdrafts, I would refer you specifically to Part:2 Operating your account , Clause 6.9, which states:- "If your account goes overdrawn without an adreed overdraft, or you go over the agreed overdraft limit, we will change you interest at out overdraft limit blah blah blah............................" Our fees and charges are clearly stated in our published interest rates and charges leaflet and the circumstances in which these charges apply are clearly set in our terms and conditions, which you will hav been provided. Yours sinceerely, Steve Smithard Credit Services Customer relations Shall we send the next letter now before court action???? Thanks Krissy