Conference govt02::basingstoke

    Hi,
    
    	I have a vague recollection of a scheme, whereby the initial
    consultancy with a solicitor costs very little. He/she won't actually
    *do* anything (like writing the letter), but will give advice.
    
    	Anyone else recall the price ?
    
    Rgds,
    JH

I don't know if this is the suitable place for this type of situation, but
won't the Small Claims Court be of service ?

I have never used it, but I recall someone in here using it over a jewellery
dispute. Its worth a thought, I guess. Good luck, by the way.

    Try the Citizens Advice Bureau - Basingstoke 22814 - they may be able
    to help you.  If you decide on the small claims court it's located on
    Basing View and if you pop in they'll give you a little booklet
    explaining what you have to do.
    
    Whatever you choose to do, I hope it works out well in the end. 
    
    Regards,
    
    Karen
    (aka person in jewellery dispute :-))

     
    A developement, in the form of a letter from Mowlem, arrived in the 
    post Thursday morning. It seems that the "responsible person" as they 
    call him, is a subcontractor and therefore nothing to do with Mowlems.
    They say that the claim has been passed to the relevant insurance 
    company, but do not name them. They also say it's now out of their
    hands and will not be contacting me again. Needless to say, the letter
    was headed "WITHOUT PREJUDICE".
    
    I'll give it a few days, as I'm working nights this week, then try to
    find out the insurance company for my solicitor to write to.
    
    Thanks for the suggestions so far.

	You can get advice from certain solicitors at a 1/2 hr interview for
	a fixed fee of �5. The CAB will have the names of local solicitors
	who offer the service.

	Good value I have found.

    
    Does anyone have an address for the head office of MOWLEM's ??
    
    I might need it for a solicitor's letter.
    
    Thanks.
    

    
    The parent company of all the Mowlem companies is
    
         John Mowlem & Co PLC
         White Lion Court
         Swan Street
         Isleworth
         Middx
    
    Regards
    
    
    Bill

    
    Its about time I updated this note. Life got a bit disrupted a while
    back, owing to the death of my mother-in-law, but I'm trying again
    with Mowlems.
    
    When I phoned recently, they expressed surprise that I hadn't heard 
    from the insurance company and promised to stir them up on my behalf.
    
    That got what I expected, i.e NO RESPONSE.
    
    So on advice from a noter in Dec Park, I have given them an ultimatum
    which expires on Friday this week. Either they resolve the matter to
    my satisfaction by 13th September, or I get the court to issue a
    summons, for the cost of the jacket PLUS court costs.
    

    Time for another update  ??
    
    1. Summons issued at Basingstoke County Court 14 Oct 1991
    
    2. Posted to defendant 31 Oct 1991.
    
    3. Received notice from Basingstoke Court that defence had been filed
       and case transferred to Brentford.
    
    4. Notice of "Transfer of Proceedings after judgement" received from
       Brentford Court.
    
    5. Phone Brentford Court today, case being looked at by District Judge,
       and would I phone tomorrow afternoon for results.
    

    ...and...?
    
    Mark

    Well done Mark, I thought everybody in B'stoke had died, this
    conference is so quiet.

    
    Well they may have done. I'm in Newbury! :^)
    
    Of course if Basingstoke has been hit by a cloud of nerve gas can you
    let me know and I'll revise my route home tonight! :^)
    
    Mark

    
    	re .10 etc.
    
    	The "Coat-Case" got a bit messy, a while back, and it wasn't until
    	I bitched at the MD of the main contractor, that the Sub-contractor
    	admitted to "being mistaken as to which hoarding was involved, and
    	then admitting that they were responsible for the maintenance of 
    	the said hoarding." 
    
    	Anyway, after lots of letters to and fro,
    	(Centre-managers,Contractors,Sub-Contractors etc) and my threat/
    	promise to involve certain consumer programs on TV, I have got 	
    	a meeting with the Sub-Contractor's MD "To settle the matter".
    
    	That's scheduled for 10 days time  .... so here's hoping.
    

    
    Success after 10 months.
    
    Compensation agreed, and the cheque is in the bank !!
    
    Worth the effort, I think.
    
    /Brian.
    

    Brian,
    
    Congratulations - How much did it cost you in total to get the 
    150 pounds returned?
    
    Julia
     

    
    	re .-1
    
    	Court costs for summons etc around �20.00
    
    	plus
    
    	Lots of time spent writing letters etc
    	Stamps & phone calls
    	Car costs, driving to meetings etc
    	etc etc...
    
    	I can't put an accurate total on it, but it's great to have
    	succeeded and shown that it can be done if you don't give up.
    
    	Brian.
    

    Congratulations!!
    
    Karen