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Change in the Debt Recovery Procedure

With effect from 6 April 2009 the process at the commencement of debt recovery proceedings is to change. Along with some clarity on the content of the letter, where recovery is for a company or business from an individual further required contents are necessary. In particular the letter should advise the individual debtor of the possibility of free advice in respect of the debt.

National Debtline
Tricorn House
51-53 Hagley Road
Edgbaston Birmingham B16 8TP
FREEPHONE 0808 808 4000
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)
FREEPHONE 0800 138 1111
www.cccs.co.uk

Citizens Advice
Check your local Yellow Pages or Thomson local directory for address and telephone numbers
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Community Legal
0845 345 4345
www.clsdirect.org.uk
Advice (formerly Community Legal Services Direct)


You should allow a reasonable period of time of up to 14 days for the debtor to obtain debt advice. However you need not allow the debtor time to seek debt advice if the claimant knows that

(1) the debtor has already received relevant debt advice and the defendant's circumstances have not significantly changed; or

(2) the debtor has previously asked for time to seek debt advice but has not done so.