- Who is Hamilton Brady?
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If you are one of millions that could be eligible for compensation, this is the
risk free way to claim. For most types of financial claim there is no fee to be
paid until we have succeeded and you have received your compensation. We have to
charge a front end fee for certain types of claim (see
Unenforceable Credit Agreements) but even here our money back guarantee ensures
you are not at risk.
Where we are successful on your behalf and charge a success fee, this is a fraction
of what many of our competitors charge (on claims worth more than £5,000 the difference
is usually at least £750). Our founders believe that not every company has to be
all about making profit, and are sincerely committed to our mission of Bringing
Justice To The Consumer. For too long, irresponsible lenders have been paying themselves
massive bonuses on the back of vast profits at your expense - and counting on most
people’s reluctance to take on a large company in a court of law.
A Panorama report first broadcast in November 2008 highlighted
typical and shocking tactics used by lenders to use the power of the law when it
suits them. This includes:
- Forcing the sale of your home to recover a loan that had nothing to do with your
mortgage.
- Selling your debt on to credit recovery firms who often add arbitrary penalties
and interest payments, and even threaten to send bailiffs “to levy distress” i.e.
forcibly take your possessions.
The irony is that even as this is happening, you could be the one that’s legally
entitled to pursue them for compensation – usually because the loan was mis-sold
or you’ve been charged unfair rates of interest or penalties.
- The Law Society Gazette (Feb 2009) estimated there were over 100 ways in which
PPI alone could have been mis-sold.
- The Consumer Credit Act 1974 lays out very strict conditions for the drawing up
of credit agreements. If your lender hasn’t complied with these to the letter, your
loan agreement could be written off as unenforceable.
We are here to help you stand up for your rights, reclaim what is rightfully yours,
and cancel any unfair agreements.
- How do I know Hamilton Brady will do what it says?
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We are regulated by the Ministry of Justice (our authorisation number is CRM19141
which you can check at
www.claimsregulation.gov.uk). The Ministry of Justice has the power to fine
us and/or take away our licence to act as a claims management company, if we act
improperly or make misleading claims.
We are also members of the
Claims Standards Council, the trade association for claims management companies.
- OK, so how much is the claim fee?
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For most types of financial claim, there is a £10 charge to obtain your loan documents.
This is paid to your lender, not to Hamilton Brady and is therefore non-refundable.
PPI, Unfair Charges and most
types of Credit Card claims
No win no fee means exactly that. If we don’t succeed, it costs you nothing. If
we do succeed, our success fee on claims greater than £5,000 is 10% - a fraction
of what many others charge (25% or more).
Unenforceable Credit Agreements
If your free evaluation suggests you have a good chance of succeeding then there
is a fee of £195 payable to cover the cost of a full contract audit. If the audit
determines you don’t have a case after all, or your case does not succeed, then
we refund you the fee in full (subject to our Terms and Conditions).
All our fees are subject to VAT
Personal Injury claims
Personal Injury claims are entirely free to make – our solicitors obtain their income
from the defendants.
- Isn’t it true I could make a claim by myself?
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This is true and we’ll even point you in the right direction –
However, just as you could cut your own hair or cook for yourself, but often pay
experts to do it for you…
With claims taking anything between 3 and 36 months, and over 100 different ways
in which a PPI policy could have been mis-sold, we are offering you the no hassle
option, including insurance against your legal costs (legal insurance alone would
cost you about £250).
Also, a Panorama report showed how one couple wrote off thousands
of pounds of debt themselves, but were left with legal bills for almost the same
amount.
- How confident are you that you can help me?
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We won’t know until we’ve spoken to you about your individual circumstances. Call
us on freephone
0800 092 1909
What we can promise now is that we won’t recommend you proceed with a claim until
we are confident you will succeed.
- What types of credit agreements do you deal with?
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We look into your legal rights as provided by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and amended
by the Consumer Credit Act 2006. This covers:
- Credit cards and store cards.
- Unsecured personal loans.
- Secured loans.
- Consolidation loans.
- Car loans.
- Car finance agreements.
- Hire purchase agreements.
- What if I can’t find my loan agreement documents?
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That’s fine, this is one of the many reasons people choose to use Hamilton Brady
rather than make a claim themselves. We will obtain a copy of the agreement from
your lender (there is a £10 charge for this which is paid to your lender and therefore
non refundable).
Indeed once you’ve commissioned us to take up your claim, you have very little else
to do, and we’ll always be there to guide you.
- Can I see examples of where you’ve successfully claimed for other people?
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There are strict confidentiality rules between clients and their solicitors which
prevent us from giving individual examples – by the same token, your privacy is
protected.
- What happens if I lose? Will I then face legal costs?
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No, if your case goes to court (and many are settled by the lenders before this
happens) then the solicitor handling your case will arrange for legal insurance
at no cost to you.
- Should I stop paying my lender whilst my claim is being processed?
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If you do not want to affect your Credit Rating, you should continue making your
monthly payments. Once your claim is in process, if appropriate your lender will
confirm to you in writing that you can stop making your Loan payments - this normally
takes only a few days after you have completed the necessary paperwork.
- Will making a claim affect my credit rating?
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No, because if you are successful in your claim then the loan agreement will have
been written off so you have not defaulted in any way.
However the lender you made a claim against may choose not to offer you any loans
in the future – this is a business decision on their part.
- Can I make a claim if I’m in a debt management or IVA programme?
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You can make a claim even if in a debt management programme.
If you have entered into an IVA, then it depends on the terms and conditions you
have agreed but in principle, you should still be able to make a claim.
- How long does it take to make a claim?
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This varies according to the type of claim you’re making, and whether the lender
disputes the claim or not. Claims have been settled in anything from 3 months to
36 months. Once you have spoken to our experienced assessors and we have reviewed
your loan agreement, they will give you a better indication according to your personal
circumstances.
- How will you keep me informed of progress?
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We will keep you posted on all important developments, whether by email or by post
as you prefer.
Customer service is important to us – we want you to recommend us to your friends
and family!
- What happens if I lose my case?
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This is unlikely as we will only recommend you make a claim if there is a high chance
of succeeding. In the rare event it does, then Hamilton Brady will still be there
to support you:
- If your case has gone to court, the solicitor handling your claim will have ensured
you have legal insurance.
- There is no fee payable to Hamilton Brady or to our panel solicitors.
- What's this about £20 if I refer a friend?
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That’s right, if you refer a friend to us (and please only do so if you think we’re
right for them) we’ll send you a £20 high street voucher to say thank you when their
claim settles.