What it means if you receive a court summons for unpaid business rates
If you do not make your monthly business rates payments on time or fail to pay the full amount requested on a final notice, we can apply to the local Magistrates' Court for a summons.
The Magistrate's Court will issue a summons if:
- you do not pay anything
- you do not keep up with your instalments
- you have paid some of the amount owed but not the full amount
A summons letter will be sent to you, including:
- the amount you owe
- the court costs you are required to pay
- the scheduled court date
If more than one person is named on the business rates bill, a court summons letter will be issued to each person, but only one set of court costs will be charged.
How to stop a court summons
If you do not want your case to be taken to court, you must pay the full amount stated in the summons before the court date. This includes the court costs of £84.80.
At this stage, we can agree a repayment arrangement but we will continue to apply for a liability order and you must pay the court costs of £84.80.
You do not need to attend the court date unless you disagree
You are not required to attend your court date.
If you disagree with the liability order, you must attend the set court date and provide evidence on why you disagree with the order.
You should only attend the court date if you have a legal defence which you can explain to the magistrate.
A liability order can be issued in your absence. For example, you are out of the country.
Contact us
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