Court summons

If you get a court summons you will be liable to pay the outstanding amount for the full year, plus court costs.

If you pay in full before the court date, we will not apply to the court for a liability order.

If you cannot pay the outstanding amount before the court date you can call us to discuss setting up a payment arrangement. We will still apply for a liability order, and you will have to pay court costs.

Call: 020 8921 4147

If you do nothing, we will apply for a liability order.

At the court hearing

The court must issue a liability order, unless:

  • we did not set the Council Tax correctly
  • the property is not entered in the Valuation List
  • you've paid the total amount of the summons in full, and you can show a receipt
  • we did not send you bills and reminders (this is not the same as you not receiving them)
  • you are exempt from paying Council Tax
  • you are not the person who's liable to pay the Council Tax that you have been summonsed for (this does not include minor spelling mistakes of your name or title)
  • bankruptcy, winding up proceedings have started, or an Administration Order or Debt Relief Order has been made, and the Council Tax debt is included
  • we applied for a liability order more than 6 years after we issued the first payment demand

The court will not consider any other matters.

When the court makes a Liability Order  

You must pay your debt, including costs, within 14 days.  

If you cannot pay your debt within 14 days, email us to tell us what you can pay and we'll consider it.

Email: revenues-baillifs@royalgreenwich.gov.uk