Lloyds TSB wins charges court fight
Updated on 29 May 2007
Bank customers hoping to reclaim thousands of pounds in penalty charges have received a further blow after news emerged of a second win by Lloyds TSB in the courts.
A judge at Lancaster County Court dismissed a claim for £3,000 from builder Julian Rudd in relation to unauthorised charges and interest, according to a BBC report.
The ruling, made on May 11, came just days before a district judge sitting in Birmingham County Court said that penalty fees - which can be as high as £39 - were a legitimate part of the banking service.
In the latest case to come to light, the bank customer's legal challenge was dismissed because the judge ruled that Mr Rudd had failed to state an adequate claim.
Neither Mr Rudd nor Lloyds TSB attended the hearing, but speaking in an interview to the BBC, Mr Rudd said that he believed that his paperwork might have been inadequate.
Campaigners said that the case highlights how important it is to make sure that you file a claim correctly.
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "I do not see this as being a substantial case. It is important to remember that the vast majority of people get a payout without going to court.
"What we are starting to see, however, is a minuscule number of cases in which claimants will have to go to court. If this is the case, it is worth doing your preparation. If you don't turn up, you cannot expect to win."
In a statement, Lloyds TSB said: "While it is not appropriate to comment on the details of specific cases, we will always submit a robust, written defence to the courts.
"Our customers are at the heart of our business and we never want to see them in court, which is why we may also offer to settle matters out of court as we are entitled to do."
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