Small claim final hearing - defendant has changed name

[NoPrivateSpy]

I am the claimant in a hearing that is happening in a few weeks time. Long standing dispute going through small claims. This is our final hearing.

The court has just been informed that the defendant has changed his name by deed poll. He is a sole trader.

I don't want to be instantly suspicious BUT the man is in his 60s and so I'm struggling to understand what would motivate the change other than some form of avoidance!

If the judgement is in my favour (which currently looks more than likely), are there any pitfalls with him having recently changed his name I might need to be mindful of?

Assuming you're in England and Wales, if he's changed his name and notified the court then that shouldn't make any difference. You can't avoid your legal liabilities by changing your name, and any judgment you may get will be against the new name.

Unless it's being done to support fraud, an adult can change their name to whatever they like as often as they like.

Yes, call me a cynic but if the claim is in his former name and then the judgement is in the new name, will there be any issues? Can't he just say it isn't him? Hmmm, just feels very coincidental. Might be fine though.

No, there won't be any issues. He can't just say it isn't him.

Thank you! That's pit my mind at rest :-)