Hi, I lease small newsagents as a sole trader which is failing due to fall in foot trade and the economy in general, have had it on open market for almost a year and have reduced the price twice. The decline in the past year has been frightening. My partner runs it, (he wanted it) but doesn`t take a wage as he cannot afford to, I work full time elsewhere and am injecting cash into business every month. I have a bank loan of 9k, arranged after the bank called in their overdraft and 7k due to HMRC after an accountants error. I am currently paying HMRC monies each month from my own salary. We are both at our wits end trying to keep business afloat but it is proving almost impossible and we are considering closing up and asking for early release from the lease, it only has 18 months to run. Of course, this means that we have no chance of recouping any monies as nobody will buy a dead business and essentially walking away but with 16k of personal debt which I would have to pay off my salary. I have no assets, rent my house and run cheap car, no savings either. Just wondered if anybody could offer any advice or views.

Hi, just need some help/advice on a matter. Basically we had street maintenance on our road from the birmingham city council, to fix the footpaths. However, they seemed to have completed everyone elses, but havent even touched our footpath. and they have taken all their equipment and left without any explanation or anything. So I want to write a letter to the council asking them why they have left ours out, but dont know how to address it.. Any ideas/templated would be appreciated. Regards Anne.

Hi, I've not posted for absolutely ages on here as generally thanks to you guys I managed to get myself back on track with everything. Since 2007 I was in dispute with Natwest over my personal current account, which had incurred charges. They put the account "on hold" whilst the test case happened and to be honest I didn't think about it much more as they said they'd be in touch when the test case was resolved. They didn't get in touch until the beginning of this year, during which time I found out that whilst the account was "on hold" they'd added £5k of charges and interest to it! Bearing in mind they hadn't contacted me about it for quite considerable amount of time, they certainly pulled out all the stops - Threats of defaults, immediate payment, account closure, debt collectors etc. They even decided "my relationship with the bank had broken down" (their words) and decided to give me notice on a separate unrelated business account which was in good stead and had never missed a payment on the business loan - they insisted that loan was also immediately repaid! Thankfully I'd been lurking and reading up on the BCOB developments and adapted one of the letters threatening to take them to court for breach of BCOB's They "investigated" my account for what seemed like forever, before finally coming back with a full refund of all charges and interest, and reinstatement of the business account. oh, and £80 for my troubles! If I wasn't so weary of the fight I'd probably have pushed them for more than £80 but to be honest I'm so pleased it's over I'll just leave it be. But if you are stuck in a dispute don't be disheartened, do read up on the BCOB options and give 'em hell! All the best, BTONBADGER

Hi, I need some help or advice please. My parents received aletter today from the HMRC, stating that their claim has been selected forreview (for the period of 6 April 2011 – 5 April 2012). In the “what you needto do” section they have asked my parents to provide them information about me(their daughter): What/where I was studying during that period, Leaving date or date of last examination, Whether I have continued with further or advanced education If I was registered with an approved body (such asconnexions). However, my parents have not claimed any tax credits for me since2009/2010, as I am 21 years of age and I am studying at university. So we’reall kind of confused at the moment as to why they need this information. Can anyone make any sense of this? Your support will be much appreciated. Regards. Anne.

Not sure this is the correct place to post but I can't see one specifically for legal clarification. I have issued a claim form against a company for damage to my vehicle. The claim was issued on 23 May 2012 and served 25 May 2012, the Defendant filed an acknowledgement of service on 30 May 2012 meaning they had the full 28 days ending 22 June 2012. Meanwhile the Defendant appointed a solicitor and I received an acknowledgement around 1 June 2012. On the 15 June 2012 I received a further letter from the solicitor advising hat they wanted further information on the claim and requested a Part 18 request, also informing me that they had only just received the claim form from their client. They specifically request further information on two questions (I know and have read that part 18 is a fishing expedition to see how strong or weak your case can be) but I just wanted to clarify before sending anything back to them what I should do and how I should do it. I have attached a copy of the Part 18 request. This has not gone in front of a judge and has come directly from the solicitor. I have an idea of what to reply with, but I just wanted a view/opinion and some clarity over the part 18 rules. Thanks

Hello all, I am in need of some advice please regarding a county court claim against me I won a competition for a prize which I sold onto someone ( prize was for a service ) but unfortunately the company went into administration, this has led to the prize not being honoured. I had since used the money to pay off some debts ( as was not expecting the company to collapse ) My question is I have 14 days to respond but had set up a transfer for the end of the week anyway ( when I get paid ) is that the best way still to do this? or am I better sending a cheque/ bankers draft? Also if I can then show its paid do I still send the forms off? and does that still count as a judgement against me on my credit file? Many thanks Not been in this situation before- bit scary

I am currently subject to a DRO. Recently my lodger moved out and obviously I have not been getting any monies from him as he is no longer residing here. The official receiver is aware that he was living here and are also aware of what he paid for his contribution to rent etc. As a result of the above the council has recalculated my benefit and has said they will be sending me a refund for the additional amount that I have paid whilst they have been sorting out my benefit. My question is do I have to inform the receiver of this refund or not? As it is a refund to compensate me for money that I have had to pay over and above my normal outlay and there has been no adjustment for the loss of his contribution I am unsure.