Customer abusing the small claims court system

[Leeds66]

We recently attended a small claims court case that required a 300-mile round trip. Unfortunately, the claimant didn’t show up. As a result, the case was voided, and we were awarded £95, which is the maximum the court could offer. This was frustrating, as it actually cost us around £180 to attend, plus we lost 7 hours of work.

A few days ago, I received an email from the claimant, in which he openly admitted that he had no intention of attending the hearing and only pursued it to waste our time and money.

To add context, this individual has been one of the most difficult customers we’ve dealt with over the past three years. He’s been consistently abusive, and we’ve received numerous bizarre and hostile emails from him.

My question is, can I sue him for this, given that I have written proof of his malicious intent in the form of an email where he admits his goal was to waste our time and money?

 

[NickGrogan]

Why are you trying to extend your relationship with this customer?

 

[WaveJumper]

Yep if you want to waste more good money & time ......... just bin the customer and move on. Karma will prevail

 

[Leeds66]

Yep if you want to waste more good money & time ......... just bin the customer and move on. Karma will prevail

yeah agree

 

[Leeds66]

Why are you trying to extend your relationship with this customer? its annoying how he had no intention of showing up and he knew that when he opened the claim.

 

[Socio South West]

Did you apply to get the Small Claims hearing in your local court?

Seconding the thought that you will be wasting time and money pursuing him in this form - and you will be keeping the lines of communication open with him.

If you wanted to do anything at all I would pass the collection of the debt to debt collectors who can do your pursuit for you - and their charges will be added to the amount to be collected.

However, £95 is not great in the wider scheme of things.... my advice would be to cut your losses. get shot of the stress and move on.... Develop your strategies for getting rid of awkward customers asap.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I know it is hard to take, but the other comments re stopping things is probably the best - put down to experience and learn from it.

However, if you do pursue things, load the claim with as many allowable charges as possible - travel, lost work etc. If a member of a business group that offers free legal advice e.g. YBC or FSB, maybe asking them for an opinion might help.

 

[Newchodge]

This individual's sole, sad aim in life is to make your life uncomfortable. Don't give him that satisfaction. Don't even acknowledge his email, although you may wish to consider sending his email to his local court and asking them to consider whether, in view of its contents, he should be considered a vexatious ltigant. He may have done this to others and if they have enough evidence he can be barred from starting legal proceedings without the express consent of the court in advance. That may upset him!

 

[Mark T Jones]

Reflecting the above - you can claim for whatever you like - provided you can evidence it

Will you win? Is it worth the effort?

Also, are they a limited company? Reflecting @Socio South West 's comment, in b2b cases the system will select a court close to the complainant but if the defendant is a private individual they get to choose.

 

[Leeds66]

Did you apply to get the Small Claims hearing in your local court?

Seconding the thought that you will be wasting time and money pursuing him in this form - and you will be keeping the lines of communication open with him.

If you wanted to do anything at all I would pass the collection of the debt to debt collectors who can do your pursuit for you - and their charges will be added to the amount to be collected.

However, £95 is not great in the wider scheme of things.... my advice would be to cut your losses. get shot of the stress and move on.... Develop your strategies for getting rid of awkward customers asap.

yeah its been a lot of stress and your right

 

[Lisa Thomas]

I agree with the others - definitely worth forwarding that e-mail to the court...

 

[fisicx]

I agree with the others - definitely worth forwarding that e-mail to the court...

But did they actually break any laws?

 

[Newchodge]

But did they actually break any laws?

You don't have to break any laws to be declared a vexatious litigant. Just keep filing no-hope claims and wasting the court's time.

 

[Lisa Thomas]

But did they actually break any laws?

I'm not a solicitor, I don't know.

 

[Leeds66]

This individual's sole, sad aim in life is to make your life uncomfortable. Don't give him that satisfaction. Don't even acknowledge his email, although you may wish to consider sending his email to his local court and asking them to consider whether, in view of its contents, he should be considered a vexatious ltigant. He may have done this to others and if they have enough evidence he can be barred from starting legal proceedings without the express consent of the court in advance. That may upset him!

yes thats what i might do and send his email to the courts. Thanks for your help on this as its much appreciated

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Is it me or does this thread not look suspiciously like this one?

Ongoing abusive customer

but hes doing both as he is on trust pilot claiming I'm a thief, crook conman and also making the same claims about the company. Im going to check with the company solicitor next week as this is crazy and we did offer a refund for which he declined and now taking us to court a year later for the...

www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

 

[Newchodge]

Is it me or does this thread not look suspiciously like this one?

Ongoing abusive customer

but hes doing both as he is on trust pilot claiming I'm a thief, crook conman and also making the same claims about the company. Im going to check with the company solicitor next week as this is crazy and we did offer a refund for which he declined and now taking us to court a year later for the...

www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

It is the same situation. The earlier thread was about the issue. The current thread is about the outcome.