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Original poster

Small claims court

15 replies

Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 19:22

A plumber took £2, 700 from me and I can't get it back. I don't want comments criticising me for paying for materials upfront, it's done now and I've learnt my lesson the hard way.
I'll need to now take him to small claims court, can anyone share their experiences of taking a tradesman to small claims court? It seems you can try mediation first? Currently don't even have a phone number for him, just an email and an address (yes I've been round, no answer at house) as he's deactivated his original number. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 20:14

Anyone please?

OP posts:
YourFriendlyGhost · 30/01/2025 20:53

The small claims court procedure will do the mediation for you. Mine was a phone call to the mediator whilst he spoke to both of us in turn.

Littletreefrog · 30/01/2025 20:57

It often doesn't even get to mediation. Go online fill in the forms he will be sent the court papers. More often than not he will then contact you to sort it out.

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2dogsandabudgie · 30/01/2025 20:58

You need to report this man to Trading Standards as he could be doing this to loads of people. Hope you get your money back.

Original poster
Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 21:23

YourFriendlyGhost · 30/01/2025 20:53

The small claims court procedure will do the mediation for you. Mine was a phone call to the mediator whilst he spoke to both of us in turn.

Did it work? Did you get your money back? Did you just have to do mediation? I don't even have a phone number for him at the moment because he's closed down his phone number and said he will send me his new phone number but hasn't.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 21:23

2dogsandabudgie · 30/01/2025 20:58

You need to report this man to Trading Standards as he could be doing this to loads of people. Hope you get your money back.

I will

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 21:24

Littletreefrog · 30/01/2025 20:57

It often doesn't even get to mediation. Go online fill in the forms he will be sent the court papers. More often than not he will then contact you to sort it out.

Fill in the forms for small claims court?

OP posts:
Littletreefrog · 30/01/2025 21:26

Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 21:24

Fill in the forms for small claims court?

Show quote history

It's an online form.

Original poster
Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 21:26

Thanks for your replies everyone. Horrific situation to be in tbh.

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 30/01/2025 21:42

We were recently in a similar situation. Filled the forms out. Money appeared in our bank the day after he received them.

Flatandhappy · 30/01/2025 21:58

The small claims procedure isn’t difficult so by all means do that, but personally I would try and check if he is still in business/is not bankrupt before you spend money. Getting judgement against someone and actually getting money out of them are two different things. One is not a guarantee of the other. Hopefully starting the procedure will make him repay you on the basis of “not worth the hassle” as others have experienced but if he is no longer in business and/or has no assets to claim against every further enforcement step costs money.

Velvetbee · 30/01/2025 22:10

I’m in this situation. Not called Callum is he?

Original poster
Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 23:47

Flatandhappy · 30/01/2025 21:58

The small claims procedure isn’t difficult so by all means do that, but personally I would try and check if he is still in business/is not bankrupt before you spend money. Getting judgement against someone and actually getting money out of them are two different things. One is not a guarantee of the other. Hopefully starting the procedure will make him repay you on the basis of “not worth the hassle” as others have experienced but if he is no longer in business and/or has no assets to claim against every further enforcement step costs money.

I know he's not working at the moment so that is a worry that he doesn't even have the money/ability to make the money to pay me back.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowers665 · 30/01/2025 23:47

Velvetbee · 30/01/2025 22:10

I’m in this situation. Not called Callum is he?

No not called Callum. Sorry to hear you're in this situation too. Really shit isn't it.

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