As you've already used the Court and won, it seems to me that you don't need any advice. But for what it's worth, I've used and won three times. On each occasion I was claiming against a driver - or, I suppose, his insurer - who had caused a collision and was refusing to pay my excess, thereby damaging my no-claims record. On one occasion I had to go to the court, but the other side never turned up, and so was automatically ordered to pay up. On the other two occasions the serving of a claim was enough in itself to win the case without further ado.

I probably don't need to tell you that the process is very straightforward and you don't need the services of a solicitor or the AA/RAC.

I had a builder make a mess of a job, he refused to correct it blaming anyone else but himself, I chased him for a year through phone calls, email, letters & eventually took him to county court (the amount was about £6000) the court initially recommended arbitration to which he agreed to but ultimately didn't participate when it came to it, wasting another 6 months in the process, the case was eventually heard in court, the builder offered no legitimate defence so the judgement was awarded in my favour, the builder eventually paid about £1000 in instalments & then filed for bankruptcy, winding up his company, then 5 minutes later was trading again under a newly formed company - we got nothing more out of it-

Thanks guys helpful advice and info .The latest update is the case won against Estate Agents by the ombudsman was nothing although related to do with the planner/developer. Although should help my case .He the developer did the same he withdrew from mediation after initially agreeing to it.Costing me time and money .Awaiting a court hearing but basically it's a greedy planner/developer out to get as much as he can although he made an extra 10k out of sale .

I had the same situation with a Bi fold door company. Won my case and he still never paid or installed the doors. He then put his company into receivership and started a phoenix company next day.

So I contacted his suppliers and informed them he was a crook putting it in writing. I then rang them and asked to speak to the sales director. I told him that the bloke was claiming to be an authorised dealer for them, when I knew he wasn't. He stated that he absolutely wasn't doing so. I sent him a picture of his previous website. He was also stating a 2 week supply and fit install. They could not even make them in that time.

I asked the suppliers if they really wanted to be associated with a known crook who was defrauding customers in their good name?

He asked me what I wanted them to do.

I said tell him you wont supply him until he fits my doors or gives me my deposit back.

They did. He was on the phone to me 4 hours later

He fitted the doors and then pestered me for payment and to tell his suppliers I was satisfied.

I said once I'm sure they are OK in a couple of weeks time. I also told him that I would only be paying him the difference after my costs for the small claims court. Which I did about 6 weeks later.

All very satisfying and an example of persistence paying off.

Hope it all works out for everyone that's been screwed.

I much preferred the old days when you could just send the boys round!

Thanks I am down just over 2k at moment.But got awarded ?£750 by P O, so kinda playing with there money by taking him to small claims court.Even if I don't succeed in my claim I will make him work for it .