Further Steps Notice

[Morpheus9]

Hi, I recently got a court fine in October 2009 of £ 465.00 I have since paid off £ 215.00 by payment book leaving a balance of £ 250, so you can imagine my surprise when I receive a Further Steps Notice saying that I have not kept up payments and that I must pay an amount of £300 in the next ten days or face bailiff action my last payment was before christmas so it seems strange that the monies have not yet been recieved by them, should I just ignore it ?

[factor-fiction]

The best thing is to ring the recipients to find out whether they have received and recorded your payments. WHat does Payment Book mean- do you mean pay by cas/cheque and you get your book marked up with a receipt?

[Morpheus9]

yes its paid at the post office and stamped similiar to a rent book.

[New Judge]

Do not ignore it.

Although it seems you are in the right if you do nothing the bailiffs will appear. There will almost certainly be a contact number on this recent correspondence. Get in touch.

[oldmaggie]

Go to the court take your book with you and see the fines officer. He/she will sort it out

[Morpheus9]

My point is that I paid and have the stamped book to prove it the fine was due on the 26th of each month and has been paid at the same time every month. I am wondering if the christmas period had anything to do with processing the irony of this is that I have paid slightly more in advance than the court directed.

[magicmerlin]

Do NOT ignore it.

As Maggie says, go to and see fines officer with all evidence of payments etc first thing tomorrow morning.
All you have to do is prove that you have paid it, you do not have to prove if received. You have done what has been agreed. Any failure in system after you have paid is not your fault.

[saxy_jag]

As merlin says - take that payment book to the court fines office, along with this letter, and show them.

Meantime, do not allow any bailiffs over the doorstep and keep your house well locked up. Until they've been allowed in to record what you have, they are not allowed to break in, whatever they may tell you or whatever they may threaten. If they claim to have a warrant, indeed if they show you one, insist on having the police present to verify it. Don't sign anything for them, either.

[Morpheus9]

Thanks everyone, The Post Office have now confirmed in writing that it was paid into the Court Office account two days after payment was made. So its down to them but I doubt there'll be an apology.

[oldmaggie]

Only problem I can see is if the payment went to court late you may find that the whole amount becomes due. When you received your fine a collection order should have been made and part of the pronouncement is ......if you fail to pay as directed by the fines officer the whole amount becomes due within 7 days..... i still think it is worth talking to the fines officer.

[Morpheus9]

I have since sent them a letter to this effect as it is impossible to contact anyone by phone and as previously stated the money has been shown to be in the account two days before it fell due.