Committal proceedings for unpaid Council Tax
If we are unable to collect an amount of outstanding Council Tax using other recovery methods, including the use of Enforcement Agents, we may apply to the Magistrates' Court for the issue of a Warrant of Commitment.
The Magistrates' Court will issue a committal summons requiring you to appear before the court.
Committal summons advice
If you receive a committal summons you should:
- contact us immediately
- seek legal advice from either a solicitor or a local advice agency before your hearing
- visit Swindon Citizens Advice website
- visit The Legal Services Commission website
- visit The Law Society website
The court hearing
The court will want to know about your current income and expenses. You will need to provide evidence, including copies of wage slips and bills, to confirm the details you provide. You will also need to tell the court about your income, expenses and employment for each period for which you have been summonsed.
The court will decide if your failure to pay the Council Tax is due to your wilful refusal or culpable neglect.
Depending on the courts decision, it can make these orders against you:
- Send you to prison for a period of not more than three months
- Send you to prison for a period of not more than three months but postpone this on condition that you make a payment or regular payments
- Refuse to send you to prison
- Write off all or part of the arrears
If you have not paid the total sum due to the council before the date of the hearing, and you fail to appear before the court, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
Avoiding going to court
If you agree to pay the outstanding Council Tax for which you have been summonsed, plus any additional Council Tax arrears not included in the proceedings, we might agree to adjourn your case. This is so we can monitor your payments, or withdraw the summons if one of the following actions take place:
- Payment is made in full, including costs
- Monthly payments are paid via direct debit
- You declare your employment details to enable us to collect your Council Tax by an Attachment of Earnings
Important advice
These are very serious matters. If you are served with a Committal Summons, do not ignore it. Remember, it might be possible to sort out payment of your Council Tax arrears without you having to attend the Magistrates' Court.