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PRA Group (UK) Limited specialise in purchasing large numbers of consumer credit accounts from major banks, such as MBNA, Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland as well as finance companies.
Like most debt purchasers, PRA Group (UK) Limited claim to help you to manage your debt through affordable repayments, and to support you through the process.
In common with most debt purchasers, their real aim is to maximise their investment in the debts they purchase. To this end, they will sometimes accept repayment plans, but may require proof of your income and expenditure before agreeing terms. Be aware, however, that these plans are usually informal and can often be reviewed or revised, usually every 6 months. A repayment plan does not stop PRA Group (UK) Limited from issuing a claim. We have many clients who have had court proceedings issued against them while they are in such repayment plans.
If your debt has been bought by PRA, you may be contacted by one of the following companies, all of whom manage debts for PRA
- Brodies LLP
- Credit Security Ltd
- Howell Jones LLP
- IND Ltd
- Judge & Priestly LLP
- Phillip & Cohen Associates (UK) Ltd
- Shoosmiths LLP
- Wright Hassall LLP
PRA say on their website that where a debt is unenforceable under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, they cannot secure a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you. This is not our experience as we have acted for clients in cases where PRA has obtained a CCJ against the client on credit agreements that are unenforceable while they were a litigant in person or by default. Once we became involved the CCJ’s were either set aside or successfully appealed.
If you have received a letter of claim or a County Court Claim from PRA Group (UK) Limited or they have obtained a default judgment against you, these claims can be defended. Our view is that these companies once they issue county court proceedings must show us and the courts that they have complied with the statutory requirements of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) and the Law of Property Act 1925. If they have not, then they are not legally entitled to enforce these debts.