What to do if you receive a summons
If you have been summoned to appear before the Magistrates Court and are unable to pay the amount shown, including costs, you should contact us immediately by using the contact details on the left hand side of this page. We may be able to agree an arrangement to pay the balance.
If you do not contact us the case will still be heard in the Magistrates Court. The Council will ask the Magistrates to grant a liability order, this will incur further costs. Note; the court hearing is to determine whether you are liable. Your ability to pay the business rate will not be considered by the court, nor your proposals for payment. These should be made direct to the council.
Where a liability order is obtained and an arrangement has not been agreed, further recovery action will be taken. This may take one of the following forms:
- Use of the Bailiffs
- Bankruptcy proceedings, or liquidation proceeding in respect of a company
- Committal to prison, if the bailiffs are unsuccessful in respect of an individual
Last updated 06/01/2012