St Frances Timeshare Claims - FAQ

Q1: Should I make loan repayments to Barclays/GE Money?

A: We cannot advise you on your personal circumstances until you become a client of the firm (see Q2. to below). Subject to individual circumstances, our view is that no payments should be made to the lender.

Q2: How do I become a client of the firm?

A: If you have legal expenses insurance, you will become a client of the firm if your insurer agrees to cover the costs of your claim. We suggest you check your legal expenses insurance cover, which is often found within home insurance policies. Some credit cards may also provide legal expenses insurance.

In the event that you do not have legal expenses insurance, or if your insurer refuses to cover the cost of the claim, you may become a client of the firm by entering into a conditional fee agreement with us (i.e. a no win, no fee agreement).

In the first instance, if you believe that you are the victim of misrepresentation by either St Frances or Easysave and would like to take legal action with Edwin Coe, please contact independent claims adviser, David Schneider, on 0208 958 3372 or send an e-mail to schneiders@ukonline.co.uk. You will be advised of the steps you need to take to join the action group.

Q3: What is the procedure for the pursuit of the claim and how long will it take?

A: The Mercantile Court will control the course of the proceedings.  It will determine whether or not a Group Litigation Order should be made which provides certain procedural advantages to joining new claimants to the process.  If a Group Litigation Order is made then individuals will be able to join the proceedings by entering onto a register established by the court.  If a GLO is not made then fresh proceedings will have to be issued for individuals as they seek to join the claim.  Subject to that, the proceedings will take a normal course to trial.  This will involve individuals providing evidence in relation to the claim.  This evidence is provided both by documents and by witness statements.  We would expect that a case of this sort will take about 12 months to come to trial if settlement is not reached in the meantime.

Q4: Can the matter be settled?

A: Neither GE Money nor Barclays Partner Finance have made any indication that they wish to settle the litigation.  Parties are obliged to consider the settlement of claims and certainly there will be opportunity during the course of the proceedings for the parties to negotiate and reach an agreement.  If no agreement is reached, the matter will be determined by the court at trial.

Q5: Should I pay maintenance/management fees?

A: We cannot advise on your personal circumstances until you become a client of the firm (see above), however, subject to individual circumstances, our view is that at this stage no payments should be made for maintenance/management fees.

Q6: Can bailiffs come to my property and take away my belongings?

A: Before bailiffs can attend your property, they must have a court order. In order to obtain the court order, GE Money/Barclays would first have to sue you and obtain judgment in their favour. If you receive notification that GE Money/Barclays have issued proceedings against you, please let us know as soon as possible. If you have been sued, you will be sent a document called a 'Claim Form'.