Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Summons

If we send you a Summons it will advise you that you have now lost the right to pay the current years charge by instalments.

Your attendance at Court is only required if you feel that you are not liable for the amount shown on the Summons and wish to resist an application by the Council for a Liability Order, otherwise the case may be dealt with in you absence. The only legal reasons why a Liability Order will not be granted are that the amount has not been legally demanded or that it has been paid.

If the Court decides that you are liable to pay the Council Tax, and you have not paid the full amount outstanding, it will grant a Liability Order. This grants the Council the power to request certain information regarding your income, and take further action against you to obtain payment. This may include the removal of your goods by a Bailiff, an attachment of your earnings or deductions from your Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Pension Credit.

The costs incurred by the issue of a Summons are £57.00. The costs incurred by the granting of a Liability Order are £17.00.