Manchester County Court Rota Scheme for mortgage repossessions
The Manchester County Court Rota Scheme is an emergency duty advice and representation service available to homeowners. It is coordinated by Wythenshawe Law Centre and made up of professional advisers who work at a number of local advice agencies throughout Manchester. The advisers are available at the court to help people who are facing mortgage possession proceedings. They provide emergency advice and representation to those with hearings in the court that day.
What sort of cases does the scheme help with?
The advisers help homeowners only. They will assist with mortgage possession cases and also, occasionally, cases where people are facing eviction by the bailiffs.
What if I rent my home?
This scheme does not help people who live in rented property. However, if you are in court because of problems to do with renting your home, you can get assistance from a separate scheme run by local solicitors.
Who can use the scheme?
Anyone living in Manchester can use the scheme. However, you should always try and get advice about your case first, if possible as soon as you receive a summons or notice of a court hearing. This is because it can take time to come to an agreement with your lender. If you leave it until the day of the hearing, you may have to ask the court for an 'adjournment' (a delay in the proceedings). This will probably cost you money. The extra costs of an adjournment are usually added to your mortgage debt.
Do I have to pay to use the scheme?
No, the scheme is free of charge.
How can the scheme help me?
The advisers can:
- Assess your situation based on the information you have with you
- Advise you of your options
- Represent you before the Judge at the hearing
What if I have seen an adviser before I go to court?
If you have already seen an adviser, you might be referred to the scheme by the advice agency handling your case. This is so you can be represented at the hearing. All the necessary preparatory work for your case should have been done by the referring agency before the hearing.
When does the scheme operate?
The rota service is available at Civil Justice Centre, Level 3 or 4, 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester. Monday mornings 10.00 am to 12.30 pm.
How do I use the service?
Ask at the reception desk on the ground floor where you need to go. When you reach level 3 or level 4, speak to the Usher and ask to be directed the duty adviser.
Do I need to take anything with me to court?
You need to try and bring the following information with you to show the duty adviser:
- A financial statement. This should have details of how much money you have coming in each week or month from wages, benefits, pensions etc and how much money goes out to pay your bills, housekeeping, transport costs, child care costs etc.
- All letters about the mortgage possession such as those you have received from the mortgage company or their solicitors
- Details of how much you have left to pay on the mortgage
- Details of how many years and months are left on the mortgage
What happens to my case after the hearing?
The Court Homeowners Advice Team does not offer an ongoing casework service but can refer you to an appropriate local advice agency with the type and level of expertise to assist you further. The scheme keeps case records of everyone seen at the court in case they return again or there is a future hearing.
Remember, you should always try and get advice before your court hearing. Find an agency by using the Advice Agency Search.
Which organisations are involved in the scheme?
Following is a list of the agencies that usually make up the Court Homeowners Advice Team (this list is subject to change):
Manchester Advice
North Manchester Law Centre
South Manchester Law Centre
Wythenshawe Law Centre
Contact details of Manchester County Court
Manchester Civil Justice Centre,
1 Bridge Street West
Manchester M60 2DJ
Telephone: 0161 240 5000
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Information Provider:
Manchester Advice
Date Reviewed:
12 November 2008
This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
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