If a creditor is chasing you for an old debt, it may be "statute barred," meaning they can no longer take you to court to force you to pay. In England and Wales, most unsecured debts become unenforceable after six years under the Limitation Act 1980 if you have not made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing during that time.
If there is incorrect information on your credit file, you have a legal right to have it corrected or removed for free. Mistakes on your credit report can affect your ability to get a phone contract, rent a flat, or borrow money. This article explains how to check your file, dispute errors, and escalate a complaint if needed.
If you cannot keep up with your debts, there are formal options that could help you make a fresh start. In England, the three main personal insolvency options are bankruptcy, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), and a Debt Relief Order (DRO). Each has different rules and consequences. Contact us for free advice before making any decision.
If you owe money on Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) purchases and have missed payments, this article explains what can happen next and what you can do. BNPL providers like Klarna, Clearpay, PayPal, and Laybuy can pass your debt to a collection agency, take you to court, or damage your credit score.
If you have a County Court Judgment (CCJ) and need to change your payment terms, or if you want to challenge a court order, you may need to use either Form N244 or Form N245. This article explains the difference between the two forms, when to use each one, and how much they cost.
If you have been asked to fill in a means form (Form MC100) by a Magistrates' Court, this article explains what it is, what information you need to provide, and what happens if you do not complete it. Related forms for legal aid and help with court fees are also explained.
If you have unpaid court fines, they are treated as a priority debt. This means they should be paid before non-priority debts like credit cards or unsecured loans. If you cannot keep up with payments, there are steps you can take, and we can help.
If you do not have enough food at home, Youth Legal can help. We can refer you to your local food bank, check your benefit entitlements, and help with any debt that is making it harder to afford essentials.
If someone you know has lent you money and is now threatening you, charging unfair interest, or taking your bank cards or documents, they may be an illegal lender (sometimes called a loan shark). You have rights, and we can help you safely.
If you have complained to a bank, lender, or other financial company and you are not happy with their response, you can take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The FOS is a free, independent service that resolves disputes between consumers and financial firms, and its decisions are legally binding.
If you are wondering what a credit reference agency is and how it affects you, this article explains how UK credit reference agencies collect your financial information, create your credit report and score, and how this affects your ability to borrow money. The three main agencies are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
You can find out how to calculate how much gas and electricity you use, and how much it will cost. Understanding your actual usage is the best way to avoid surprise bills.