Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Debtors' Options (10:IV)"

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A debtor may wish to seek legal advice before discussing or disputing a debt with a creditor, but this is not always necessary. If the debtor believes they do not owe the debt they should consider legal advice. If the debtor believes they owe the money but disputes the amount claimed, they may also want to consider legal advice. However, if the debtor simply cannot meet the payment terms, it is recommended that they seek credit counselling. See [[Dealing with Debt (10:IV) | Section IV. Dealing With Debt]].
A debtor may wish to seek legal advice before discussing or disputing a debt with a creditor, but this is not always necessary. If the debtor believes they do not owe the debt they should consider legal advice. If the debtor believes they owe the money but disputes the amount claimed, they may also want to consider legal advice. However, if the debtor simply cannot meet the payment terms, it is recommended that they seek credit counselling. See [[Dealing with Debt (10:IV) | Section IV. Dealing With Debt]].


Where a creditor is pressuring a debtor for payment, a debtor may send a “without prejudice” letter to the creditor explaining their position and/or offering a settlement. See [[{{PAGENAME}}#F. Settlements | Section III.F: Settlements]], below for further information. When writing a Without Prejudice letter it is critical to include the following phrase: “This communication is provided solely for the purpose of [state purpose of letter] and does not constitute an acknowledgement of the alleged debt described above.”
Where a creditor is pressuring a debtor for payment, a debtor may send a “without prejudice” letter to the creditor explaining their position and/or offering a settlement. See [[{{PAGENAME}}#F. Settlements | Section III.F: Settlements]], below for further information.


A debtor cannot seek to avoid defending an action in court where that action takes place in another province on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction. An action under s 29 of the ''COEA'' to enforce an extra-provincial default judgment may proceed where the debtor was  served but chose not to offer any defence to the original statement of claim. The creditor simply registers a judgment from another province in B.C., and it becomes a B.C. judgment. Furthermore, as a result of the decisions in ''[https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/1990/1990canlii29/1990canlii29.html?autocompleteStr=Morguard%20Investments%20v%20De%20Savoye%2C%20%5B1990%5D%203%20SCR%201077&autocompletePos=1 Morguard Investments v De Savoye'', [1990<nowiki>]</nowiki> 3 SCR 1077] and ''[https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2003/2003scc72/2003scc72.html?autocompleteStr=Beals%20v%20Saldanha%2C%20%5B2003%5D%203%20SCR%20416%2C%202003%20SCC%2072&autocompletePos=1 Beals v Saldanha'', [2003<nowiki>]</nowiki> 3 SCR 416, 2003 SCC 72], American and other international default judgments can also be enforced in B.C.  
A debtor cannot seek to avoid defending an action in court where that action takes place in another province on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction. An action under s 29 of the ''COEA'' to enforce an extra-provincial default judgment may proceed where the debtor was  served but chose not to offer any defence to the original statement of claim. The creditor simply registers a judgment from another province in B.C., and it becomes a B.C. judgment. Furthermore, as a result of the decisions in ''[https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/1990/1990canlii29/1990canlii29.html?autocompleteStr=Morguard%20Investments%20v%20De%20Savoye%2C%20%5B1990%5D%203%20SCR%201077&autocompletePos=1 Morguard Investments v De Savoye'', [1990<nowiki>]</nowiki> 3 SCR 1077] and ''[https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2003/2003scc72/2003scc72.html?autocompleteStr=Beals%20v%20Saldanha%2C%20%5B2003%5D%203%20SCR%20416%2C%202003%20SCC%2072&autocompletePos=1 Beals v Saldanha'', [2003<nowiki>]</nowiki> 3 SCR 416, 2003 SCC 72], American and other international default judgments can also be enforced in B.C.  
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Where there is evidence of misconduct by the debt collector, the Director may suspend, cancel, or refuse to issue their licence (s 146(1)). Such conduct includes (s 146(2)):  
Where there is evidence of misconduct by the debt collector, the Director may suspend, cancel, or refuse to issue their licence (s 146(1)). Such conduct includes (s 146(2)):  
*a) contravening this Act or regulations;  
*a) contravening this Act or regulations;  
*b) failing to meet the minimum requirements for a licence;  
*b) failing to meet the minimum requirements for a license;  
*c) contravening a condition of a license;
*c) contravening a condition of a license;
*d) engaging in a pattern of conduct by the debt collector that shows that they are unfit to have a licence; or  
*d) engaging in a pattern of conduct by the debt collector that shows that they are unfit to have a licence; or