Legal advice needed asap

[amandaj58]

This is a long one I hope somebody can advise.

We received a Money Claim from a customer, and I need advice on how to complete the N181 Directions Questionnaire. He sent us an email with his bits filled in and comments but we haven't replied yet because we don't know how to and time's running out.

The customer had an issue with a doorset we supplied, and we admitted the problem and agreed to replace the doors but due to our heavy workload and staff shortages, time passed, and he became frustrated with the wait and requested a refund which we totally understand.

We offered a refund for the doors, but said/advised that he should keep the frame to prevent damage during replacement. We sent a cheque for the cost of the doors but not for the frame (wish we had now).

We then received a claim form not only for the first set of doors and frame but also for a second set of doors which he'd had previously. The second set of doors hadn't been mentioned by the customer until now. He's claiming £4,883.50 for the first set of doors and £7,378.18 for the second set which we did not agree to refund because he didn't ask us to. In total the claim is for £12799.69 (inc £609.51 court fee).

We've already sent cheques for the first set of doors (just waiting for the last one to be cashed), but we don't think we are liable for the second set and would like to defend this part of the claim.

I'm happy to pay for advice but not sure what kind of solicitor I need - any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Newchodge]

What is the deadline? Habe you filed a defence?

 

[amandaj58]

Thanks for replying. I sent something via Moneyclaim saying we wanted to defend the claim then we got the Notice of Proposed Allocation to the Fast Track through. I've got until 30th December to complete the questionnaire. I don't think I specified that I just wanted to defend part of the claim though, I found it really confusing and I just panicked.

 

[fisicx]

Most solicitors will be able to help with this. Do a google for someone local and give them a call on Monday.

 

[Newchodge]

Most solicitors will be able to help with this. Do a google for someone local and give them a call on Monday.

And hope they haven't already closed for Christmas!

 

[amandaj58]

And hope they haven't already closed for Christmas!

Sorry to put this onto your reply I don’t know how to add to my post. I wrote to the customer to try and reason with him but he won’t. He said if we defend our solicitors need to fill in the form together is this true? We need to get the form in by the 30th and his solicitor finishes tomorrow

Any solicitors available tomorrow I can pay or can I contact his solicitor and defend myself?

 

[eteb3]

You can always defend yourself. Small claims court is designed for just that. Edit: except maybe it’s not small claim

@Michael Loveridge is usually good on this sort of thing.

What’s your budget if you pay a solicitor? I know a few Muslim solicitors who won’t be taking much of a break

Also on what basis are they claiming for the two sets of doors, and what are they? The problem ones you fitted, and the ones those door replaced?

 

[eteb3]

How did it all go, @amandaj58 ?