Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: Summons

  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    JHB
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Summons

    Hi there

    I've had a look through all the previous posts here about summons, however could not find an ideal answer for my question.

    I have received a summons for a bad decision I made a while back. It was during a period that I am trying to put behind me (not drugs! was unemployed and it put me in a bad place).

    The summons is dated 16 January 2014, however I only received the summons in my hands this week; it was accepted by another person staying where I am. I understand I have 10 days to sort this mess out, however I do not have the full amount available right now to pay the outstanding amount. From what I have read, I am able to pay the outstanding amount off monthly, There is no mention of this though in the summons, it's a No 2 Summons.

    I do want to sort this out, I don't need this trouble in my life anymore and am trying to keep the wolves away, something nice I read on another post.

    Thank you!

  2. #2
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Had enough
    Posts
    3,358
    Thanks
    114
    Thanked 213 Times in 201 Posts
    I'm sure that one of our esteemed lawyers will give you a professional answer, but from my experience of having a daughter that is an attorney, you can contact the lawyer that served you and make an arrangement to pay off the debt. Most of the time they will accept a reasonable payment plan.

  3. Thanks given for this post:

    s.l (07-Feb-14)

  4. #3
    Platinum Member sterne.law@gmail.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Durban
    Posts
    1,332
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked 566 Times in 413 Posts
    Blog Entries
    7
    I suggest that you file a notice to defend, and then contact them regarding a settlement plan.
    The notice will give you some protection in case they are a less than honest bunch and say yes we will talk, and then try get a default judgement.
    Then call them and chat.
    Also, if your debt is mor ethan 3 years then see posts on prescription.
    Anthony Sterne

    www.acumenholdings.co.za
    DISCLAIMER The above is merely a comment in discussion form and an open public arena. It does not constitute a legal opinion or professional advice in any manner or form.

  5. Thank given for this post:

    Citizen X (07-Feb-14), s.l (07-Feb-14)

  6. #4
    New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    JHB
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Great, thank you for the replies.

    I did call the lawyer and explain that I do want to pay and will gladly pay monthly. He said I should make a payment as a gesture of good faith which I will do next week, and he will also speak to the people requesting the money about my offer.

    I will file the notice to defend in the interim.

    Thanks again!

  7. #5
    Platinum Member sterne.law@gmail.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Durban
    Posts
    1,332
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked 566 Times in 413 Posts
    Blog Entries
    7
    're the prescription issue.
    If the debt exceeds 3 years you can claim as defence and therefore they can't proceed. Of course, even if it exceeds 3 years, you can still choose to pay.
    If you do wish to claim prescription, then you must not make a payment.
    Anthony Sterne

    www.acumenholdings.co.za
    DISCLAIMER The above is merely a comment in discussion form and an open public arena. It does not constitute a legal opinion or professional advice in any manner or form.

  8. Thank given for this post:

    Citizen X (07-Feb-14), s.l (07-Feb-14)

  9. #6
    New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    JHB
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    The debt is from the beginning of last year, I know it's within the 3 year period but would that make a difference?

  10. #7
    Diamond Member Citizen X's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    lenasia
    Posts
    3,404
    Thanks
    868
    Thanked 701 Times in 613 Posts
    Don't let the 'offer to pay in installments..' clause in the simple summons fool you! If as you have done it, you made arrangements vefore the filing of the declaration or application for summary judgment, then that's fine! However, once you enter an appearance and then make arrangements to pay in installments, judgment is granted against you with that installment offer in mind!
    “Ubuntu is the essence of being humane" Desmond Tutu
    Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
    Click here
    sabbaticus

  11. #8
    Platinum Member sterne.law@gmail.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Durban
    Posts
    1,332
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked 566 Times in 413 Posts
    Blog Entries
    7
    Well it's less than 3 years old, so prescription is not an issue.
    Anthony Sterne

    www.acumenholdings.co.za
    DISCLAIMER The above is merely a comment in discussion form and an open public arena. It does not constitute a legal opinion or professional advice in any manner or form.

  12. #9
    New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    JHB
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Thanks for all the help guys. I have still been battling this damn thing.

    Unfortunately they did not accept my offer to pay in installments, however I did make a payment in the meantime. They are still demanding the remaining amount be paid in full, and now also want to take judgement. What happens now, or what should I do now?

  13. #10
    Silver Member Greig Whitton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    338
    Thanks
    33
    Thanked 105 Times in 86 Posts
    I'm not a lawyer, but here are my two cents:

    1. If someone is threatening to take legal action against you, never, ever, EVER deal with their attorneys directly. E.V.E.R. That payment "in good faith" was pure bait-and-switch to get some money out of you.

    2. Have you considered applying for debt counselling? It's not a perfect solution, but if your application is successful and you get a good debt counselor, then you will have qualified support from someone who genuinely has your best interests at heart. The fact that you have already been summonsed throws a spanner in the works, but it may still be worth pursuing.

    For more info about debt counselling, check out these two links:

    Official National Credit Regulator guide
    Helpful IOL article

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Summons: what you need to do
    By Citizen X in forum Labour Relations and Legislation Forum
    Replies: 47
    Last Post: 01-Aug-18, 06:18 AM
  2. summons
    By murdock in forum General Chat Forum
    Replies: 42
    Last Post: 26-Feb-18, 11:26 AM
  3. [Question] Summons Issues Med Aid
    By DazedandConfused in forum General Business Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 30-Mar-13, 02:45 PM
  4. summons & Judgements
    By Dean64 in forum National Credit Act Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-Sep-12, 10:04 AM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •