Three homes repossessed in under an hourpublished at 12:07 GMT
12:07 GMT
Charlotte Rose
Reporting from Stratford Magistrates’ Court
In 56 minutes the judge at Stratford Housing Centre has granted three mortgage repossession claims – and in two of those cases the defendant did not attend court, with the decision being made in their absence.
In one case, National Westminster Bank was granted an order for a home where a woman owed arrears of £7,574.
Another was granted to the Bank of Ireland where a woman owed arrears of £5,334, and finally the Bank of Scotland was granted an order for a home with arrears of £87,672.
It is not unusual for those facing repossession claims not to attend the hearing. Sometimes they are told by their lender that they do not need to be there, even though it would be to their advantage to attend.
Duty Advisors – a free legal service in the civil courts – have also told me that often people are frightened about going to court and do not know they are able to get legal advice and have someone represent them.
Of five cases due to be heard this morning, two were adjourned which means the parties may have settled the matter out of court.
We have been told by the usher that today’s list is very “light”. Sometimes there can be as many as 18 repossessions cases listed in one day.