"Stayed" claim ruling relating to bank charges

[SurreyGuy]

I'm one of the many people trying to re-claim my bank charges.

I was successful with one claim against my bank regarding one account (they paid up without any questions).

However, the local County Court has ruled that the motion in another claim I have running (against the same bank, but relating to a different account) be "stayed forthwith pending the final determination of the OFT test case. Such final determination shall include any appeal" - what does that mean, please?

I have phoned the Court to enquire and they told me they "weren't allowed to offer advice" (when I didn't ask for any!).

T.I.A.

[CheekyChops]

I think it means that they aren't going to do anything until the test case has been heard and they know the outcome.

[cheries]

I'm in the same position SurreyGuy. The Office of Fair Trading are taking several of the big banks to court with a test case to determine whether bank charges are illegal. The Financial Ombudsman and all advisory bodies are unwilling to decide or rule on anything until the judgement is on on this case. I think they're expecting a ruling in Jan of next year. The last bit refers to the fact that even though the ruling may come, the banks have the right to appeal and so your case might not be addressed until after the appeal has been heard. They're using this test case as a benchmark for all of the cases which people like you and me are bringing against banks; ie. if the OFT win, we will almost certainly get our charges back.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks folks

I was hoping I'd get paid my money on this one as it was less than the one they previously settled on!

Fingers crossed!