Vulnerable tenants could be evicted without help from a duty solicitor under county court plans to resume housing possession cases next month. Howells are the only firm of solicitors in South Yorkshire who have a contract with the government to obtain legal aid for those threatened with eviction.
All housing possession proceedings were suspended in March 2020 for 90 days to protect private and social renters and those with mortgages.
The suspension is due to be lifted on 25 June 2020. The courts are looking at how ongoing and new cases could be heard from 29 June 2020.
It is thought most possession hearings are now likely to take place remotely e.g. by Skype or telephone until the autumn.
With parties and representatives not being physically present at court, tenants and those struggling to pay their mortgage will be unable to see a duty solicitor at court who prior to the lock-down could provide last ditch representation for those facing eviction.
With that service at risk of being removed it has never therefore been more important for those threatened with eviction to take advice as soon as they can and well before the court hearing so that they can arrange for a solicitor of their own to represent them at the remote court hearing dealt with by telephone or Skype.
If this affects you, please get in contact on 0114 2496666, or email our new enquiry team at [email protected]
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