Reclaiming bank charges - can anyone explain in laymans terms what I should do next?

[feedmenow]

I contacted my bank at the end of May requesting they refund my unlawful bank charges. They sent back a standard letter saying they were looking into it and would respond in x number of days. I stupidly forgot to chase it. So I wrote to them again, but obviously after 27th July and they wrote back saying about the FSA and the test cases.
Seeing as I originally wrote in May, does that mean the 27th July date means nothing in my case? Or is it my own tough luck seeing as I forgot to pursue it? Has anyone else claimed since 27th July and is having to wait it out? Or are you carrying on your cause regardless of the 27th July?
Any help very much appreciated!

i would have thought its your own tough luck as you forgot to pursue it!

oh cant you claim anyomre then, i have just wrote to them??????

have you looked on money saving expert

Tottie, I THINK you CAN still make a claim, but they don't have to respond until the result of the test cases. It does explain it all on money saving expert, but I find it rather difficult to follow exactly what is being said. But what I think the gist is, is that the cases will be "heard" in Jan 08 and can then be drawn out for months longer. But I don't understand what happens next...if the banks are found to have made unlawful charges, will they then have to contact all the people that have made claims since 27th July and refund, or will it be up to us, the individual, to put in ANOTHER claim? All too much for my poor brain!

to much for me to!!!!!

what about the people that have had refunds??? do they have to pay back.....

if you ask me i dont see how they can say a £35.00 charge is reasonable,

i was really hoping for a refund, the other thing with mine is that it was taken out of my tax credit that was in my bank and that really peas me off!!!

Tottie, I'm pretty sure that they won't be able to demand back the refunds they have already given. After all, it would have been each banks choice to give a refund rather than go to court.
I think the whole thing sucks! My bank has varied its charges loads over the past 6 years with, seemingly, no logic. Some of the charges are in denominations of £17, some of £20 and some of £25. I just don't get it at all!
How recently did you send your letter, and what bank?

natwest bank, (who my friend got £5000 back form,

mine totals £600, sent the letter only last week

We also got the NatWest letter back in August (we were already in small claims court and pretty much gave up and suddenly they offered the full amount . You may still be lucky!