COUNTY COURT SPEAKING NOTE

STATUS: Legal/procedural tool · legal information, not advice
REVIEWED: 18 August 2026
OFFICIAL SOURCES: Termhouse appeal; Cannon; CPR Parts 27 and 70

OPENING
This is a fresh claim for repayment. It is not an application to enforce the FTT's section 27A declarations directly.

IF ASKED ABOUT TERMHOUSE
Accept that the FTT determination is declaratory and cannot itself be enforced as a money judgment. Explain the separately pleaded repayment claim and the calculation that applies the FTT findings to sums already paid.

IF ASKED WHETHER THE COURT IS DECIDING THE SERVICE CHARGES AGAIN
Identify precisely which issues the FTT decided and why the County Court is not being asked to decide those issues again. Do not overstate what binds a party who was not involved.

IF ASKED ABOUT CANNON
Distinguish the FTT's role in determining payability from the County Court claim now pleaded. Take the judge to the exact passage relied upon.

IF ASKED WHY AN ONLINE SERVICE WAS USED
Explain that the online service only issued the claim. The particulars must state the legal basis and meet the current requirements for that claim route.

IF A SIGNED DOCUMENT IS RELIED UPON
Start with its exact words. Address when and why it was signed, what the parties objectively intended, whether it was a settlement or deed, consideration, authority, statutory effect and any properly evidenced pressure. Do not assume the worked case establishes a general answer.

CLOSING
State the principal, interest, costs requested and the page containing each calculation. Ask for the payment deadline to be recorded clearly.