Warnings over repossession advice

Law Centres report that the number of repossession cases coming to court has doubled in the last six months. Sheffield, Isle of Wight and Harehills and Chapeltown Law Centre in Leeds all report massive increases. Transact, the national forum for financial inclusion say that as a result, more and more people are not gettng the legal advice or representation they need.

Faith Reynolds for Transact said: “Many of the homeowners facing difficulties are on relatively low incomes but not entitled to legal aid - the experience of Transact members shows that these people desperately need more help to protect their homes in court and they need it now.”

Most homeowners are not entitled to legal aid, and Law Centres and advice agencies that offer pro-bono (free) legal representation are being over-run with requests for help.

In London, debt advice partnership Capitalise has seen a 90% increase in possession hearings in the first three months of this year – Capitalise represented 146 clients at possession hearings between January and March, compared to only 77 during the same period in 2007.

Transact_Repossessions_8.6.08.doc
Press_Association_Repossessions_8.6.08.doc

Published: Sun 8 Jun, 2008

In the News and Press section

Harehills and Chapeltown Law Centre

‘Someone who gets advice at the door of the court, or no advice at all, is far more likely to see a possession order granted, which takes them a step closer to losing their home,” he says. “If we have time to go through the paper work and gather evidence in advance, we can argue for a realistic repayment schedule, an adjournment of the possession order or even get the case dismissed. But if you go before a judge without someone to speak to you, you are far less likely to bet the best outcome.’

James Williams, Housing Solicitor

Isle of Wight Law Centre

‘When you’re in front of a judge who’s making huge decisions about your life and up against the lender’s barrister who knows all the legal language you feel like a ten year old. I’d no idea you could do things like ask for the interest on a debt to be suspended or make an offer of a minimum payment. I’m sure I’d be homeless now if I hadn’t had the Law Centre to speak for me.’

Steve Lewis, Law Centre client

Transact

Transact is a free independent membership organisation that offers networking opportunities, information about financial inclusion via its website and training to its 1250
member organisations who include advice agencies, credit unions, housing associations, banks and financial service providers. http://www.transact.org.uk
Transact is a Toynbee Hall project. Toynbee Hall produces practical innovative programmes to meet the needs of people in East London, improve conditions and enable communities to fulfil their potential. http://www.toynbeehall.org.uk