{"id":11763,"date":"2023-07-03T10:58:39","date_gmt":"2023-07-03T10:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=11763"},"modified":"2023-09-06T09:41:55","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T09:41:55","slug":"unclaimed-funds","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/legal\/courts\/unclaimed-funds\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find and Claim Unclaimed Funds in a Court Account UK"},"content":{"rendered":"
UNCLAIMED FUNDS<\/strong>: In most cases, the money accumulates in a court account if the lawful owner changes address or has since died.<\/p>\n The collections develop from money paid to the court or from funds that it awards as a payment. Examples include the settlement of a court case or money from ‘bona vacantia<\/a>‘ (an unclaimed estate after a death).<\/p>\n But, there is a way to find and claim money in a court account that you have entitlement to.<\/p>\n This guide explains the process for claiming funds from a civil court in England and Wales.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: The rules for requesting unclaimed money held by courts differ somewhat in Scotland<\/a> and in Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n Money paid to a civil court is usually stored in a Court Funds Office account. It will class the funds as unclaimed if both of these apply:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are several ways of checking whether you are entitled to any unclaimed funds at the court. You can either search the Unclaimed Balance Index<\/a> online or contact the Court Funds Office helpline<\/a>.<\/p>\n Court Funds Office Helpline<\/strong> Note<\/strong>: The Court Funds Office do not charge a search fee. So, beware of suspicious Internet activity<\/a> or a phone call from someone offering you the same service for free.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You will need to determine the amount of money owing in the account and which court it first got paid into. You can get this information by writing to the Court Funds Office<\/a>. Give them the details that you already have, such as:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You will need to provide some evidence to ask for the information. They will need to see (both):<\/p>\n Send the written letter along with the relevant evidence to the Court Funds Office address. They will also respond to your enquiry by letter.<\/p>\n Court Funds Office<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You will need to find the right court<\/a> because each one has its own specific processes. You must make your claim to the same one where the original payment took place. Remember to provide some proof of your entitlement to the money.<\/p>\n The court decides whether your entitlement to the money can go ahead. As a rule, you will receive the funds from the court account within three (3) months if the claim is successful.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The court may not consider a claim if they no longer have the paperwork from the original case. If this happens, you can make a claim to the Senior Master instead. The Senior Master is a judge from the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court.<\/p>\n There are several extra steps to take including:<\/p>\n Queen’s Bench Division<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
\nWhat Unclaimed Funds Can Include<\/h2>\n
\n
\nCheck If You Have Money Owing in a Court<\/h2>\n
\n Telephone: 0300 0200 199<\/a>
\nInformation on call charges<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nInformation Needed to Prepare a Claim<\/h2>\n
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\nRequired Evidence<\/h3>\n
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\n\tSunderland
\n\tSR43 3AB<\/p>\n
\nHow to Claim Money in a Court Account<\/h2>\n
\nIf the Court No Longer has the Original Paperwork<\/h3>\n
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\n\tThe Royal Courts of Justice
\n\tStrand
\n\tLondon WC2A 2LL
\n Telephone: 020 7947 7772<\/a><\/p>\n
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