MEDIA RELEASE. “THE COUNCIL TAX ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN CARELESSLY APPLIED BY MAGISTRATES’ COURTS AND COUNCILS FOR DECADES”. Rev Paul Nicolson 020 83765455 – 07961177889 I am asking Haringey magistrates to justify their council tax decisions to a judge in the High Court. My letter to the magistrates can be found below this introduction; it has been drafted “pro bono” by a lawyer friend. On the 2nd August I attended the Haringey magistrates court answering a summons because Haringey council had applied for a liability order to enable them to enforce £891 council tax and £125 costs, which I am refusing to pay. Haringey council was granted 1700 liability orders on the 2nd August bringing the total to over 7000 so far this year. Last year the costs were also £125 and the council gained 17,200 orders from the magistrates so collecting £2.1 million, mostly from the poorest citizens. I asked the court to explain how they arrive at a figure of £125 costs and to reduce it because benefits are being taxed this year, they were not taxed last year, and which have already been capped and cut by the Treasury. The answer was very unsatisfactory or non existent. When the council’s receive liability orders from the magistrates they are then free to take one or more of the following steps to enforce the tax. Debtors all receive a letter similar to this one. “If a liability order is granted the council will be able to take one or more of the following actions: Instruct bailiffs to take your goods to settle your debt – this can include your car. You will be liable to pay the bailiffs costs which could substantially increase the debt. Instruct your employer to deduct payments from your salary or wages. Deduct money straight from your jobseekers allowance or income support. Make you bankrupt. Make a charging order against your home. Have you committed to prison”. These are very serious actions indeed and have been carelessly applied by magistrates and councils for decades. It is vital that they are applied lawfully against everyone, particularly against our poorest fellow citizens. That is why the letter is being delivered to the Haringey magistrates today (22/08/13). It has been drafted by a friendly lawyer for everyone’s benefit. The text of the letter to the magistrates is on our website. taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk/haringey-magistrates-asked-to-justify-their-council-tax-decisions-to-a-judge-in-the-high-court/
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 09:28:22 +0000
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