The court hearing

The court is being asked to say that you are liable to pay the Council Tax and to issue a Liability Order against you. The council will provide evidence to this effect, and if the court is satisfied with this, it will issue the Order.

You can contact the council to make a payment arrangement at any time. You do not have to attend court. If you do decide to attend, please note that the court cannot, at this stage, consider why you have not paid your Council Tax or any personal or financial difficulties you may be having.

There are limited valid defences against the award of a Liability Order for Council Tax. Realistically, there is little chance of you successfully defending the application if your defence falls outside those listed here.

• The property is not entered in the appropriate Valuation List
• The Council Tax has not been properly set
• The Council Tax has not been billed per the legislation
• The amount demanded has been paid in full (including summons costs). Please note that provided the council has received fully cleared payment, then no further application will be made by the council
• More than six years have passed since the balance became due
• Bankruptcy proceedings have been initiated

If you disagree with the amount you have received the summons for, or if you wish to discuss any discounts, reductions or exemptions, please phone 0151 443 4476.

You should pay what you can before the court date, although if we do not receive payment in full, we will still ask the court to issue a Liability Order.

Your credit rating

The issue of a Magistrate’s Court Summons for Council Tax will not affect your credit rating. It is a private matter between you and the council, and we will not pass details onto any credit agencies.

Pay your Council Tax online now