Can Judge & Priestley Really Collect a UAE Debt From Me in the UK?

Question:

Jon,

Received an email from Judge & Priestley saying there client Emirates NBD bank in Dubai is chasing me for an unpaid credit card.

I haven’t acknowledged or rang j&p to discuss.

Can they legally pursue me and can they demand payment even though the debt is in UAE?

Please can you advise if I should just ignore or agree on a small monthly payment

Can I ignore

Will this affect my credit rating

Can they place a restriction on my house as and when I wish to sell?

Richard

Answer:

Richard,

I am going to assume you are now residing in the UK as you mentioned Judge and Priestley, and they do have offices in the UK, specifically the Bromley, Kent area.

To get to the answer to your concerns, yes, a debt that originated in another country can be collected here in the UK. This is based on the fact many loans or accounts in other countries, including the UAE, have non-jurisdictional clauses, which allows them to be collected outside the country of origin.

The account can be assigned to a collection firm in another country, such as the UK, and be collected in that country; in your circumstance, here in the UK.

However, there is a caveat to the account being collected here in the UK, the account must be collected in accordance with the laws and rules we have here for debts and collection procedures. It also allows you all the debt management and insolvency options we have here in the UK to deal with the account.

So again, yes, the account can be collected here in the UK, and unfortunately, if you own property, if the firm obtains a CCJ and an Enforcement Order, they could seek a Charging Order against your property.

If the account is reported to a UK credit bureau, it can affect your credit rating/score here.

So my advice would be not to ignore the email or any correspondence you receive regarding the account being collected in the UK.

How much do you owe?

Can you afford to set-up a repayment plan?

Do you have other accounts/debts in the UK or elsewhere?

Do you own the property in just your name, or with someone else, and is there any equity in the property?

A lot of questions, I know. But we can look closer at this and also what options are available to you. Please post your answers in the comments section below and I will respond.

Regards,

Jon