If you’ve received a debt letter or phone call from a company called Restons Solicitors, your first reaction might be to panic. However, while the word ‘solicitor’ can cause worry, it’s important to note that you have several options.

Restons Solicitors is an established law firm that acts on behalf of both lenders and debt purchasers to recover unpaid debts.

This guide will explore Restons Solicitors in more detail, including how they typically contact you about an unpaid debt, how you should respond depending on your circumstances, and where you can go for further information on improving your financial situation.

Who are Restons Solicitors?

Restons Solicitors Limited is a UK law firm specialising in debt recovery and collection services, usually on behalf of other companies. According to the Restons website, they are a family-run firm that acts ‘on behalf of lenders and debt purchasers to recover debt’.

They work with numerous clients, such as banks, financial services companies, mortgage brokers, and utility companies. Some of the debts they collect include utility arrears, credit cards, overdrafts, and hire purchase agreements.

Being contacted by a solicitor as opposed to a debt collector about an unpaid debt can be worrying. However, it can be reassuring to know that this doesn’t always mean that the situation is more serious. The most common reason for this is that the solicitor also acts as a debt collector.

Where is Restons Solicitors based?

Restons Solicitors is based in Warrington, Cheshire.

Their full address is:

Trinity Chambers

800 Mandarin Court

Centre Park

Warrington

WA1 1GG

Is Restons Solicitors a regulated debt collector?

Yes, Restons Solicitors is a legitimate debt collection company recognised by a number of relevant industry bodies.

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Restons Solicitors is regulated by the SRA, which is the regulatory body for solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. It sets the standard that these types of companies must adhere to to ensure they carry out their duties in line with the law and act with integrity at all times.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Restons Solicitors was previously regulated by the FCA, which is the regulatory body for financial institutions in the UK. However, due to regulatory changes introduced in 2015, the firm now falls under the ‘exempt professional firm’ and is no longer bound by FCA guidelines.

Credit Services Agency (CSA)

Restons Solicitors is also a member of the CSA, which is the trade association representing the debt collection and debt purchase industries. All CSA members must adhere to a strict code of conduct when pursuing unpaid debts.

Awards

Restons Solicitors has won various awards over the years, highlighting their innovative approach to debt recovery. For example, they won the ‘Best Legal Software’ and ‘Best Data Analytics Solution’ awards at the Credit Management Technology Awards in 2019.

Why would Restons contact me?

If Restons Solicitors has contacted you, it means that your original creditor (one of their clients) has appointed them to collect money owed to them on their behalf. Most lenders only do this if they have repeatedly failed to get in touch with customers or come to a mutual agreement over how to settle their unpaid debts.

So, if you know you have a debt with a bank, utility company, or another organisation, they might have passed it to an external company with more time and resources to recover payment from you. It’s Restons Solicitors job to find a solution that both you and your creditors can agree on, whether that’s a lump sum payment or a gradual repayment plan.

Typically, Restons Solicitors will get in contact with you by sending you a letter outlining the amount owed, your original creditor, and the steps that will be taken if the debt continues to go unpaid. It is in your best interest to respond as soon as possible – even if you dispute the debt.

What options do I have if I owe Restons Solicitors?

If you owe the money Restons Solicitors is asking you to pay, there are two options available to you: pay the debt in full or negotiate a payment plan.

Pay the debt in full

If you can afford to repay your debt in full, it’s recommended to do so. This will allow you to move on with your life and put a stop to the debt collection process, including any further enforcement action or extra costs.

The letter you receive will outline the steps you should take if you wish to make full payment but the easiest way to do so is through the ‘make a payment’ link on the homepage of the Restons Solicitors website. They do, however, also accept payments over the phone, on the app, via Direct Debit, and by cheque if you prefer.

Negotiate a payment plan

If you don’t have the funds readily available to pay off your debt in full, you should be able to negotiate a payment plan with the debt collector. Like most debt collection companies, Restons Solicitors will be happy to accept payment of the debt in instalments if it means they’ll receive something as opposed to nothing by a certain date.

To do so, simply contact them by the contact details provided and suggest an offer of payment you know you will be able to reasonably afford for the duration of your payment period.

Risk court action

Ignoring a debt you owe to a collection company can lead to them taking legal action against you. In most cases, this will be in the form of a County Court Judgment (CCJ).

A CCJ will stay on your credit file for six years. During this time, you’ll find it extremely difficult to find a lender willing to approve you for most types of credit, including a loan, mortgage, bank account, and even a phone contract.

How do I complain about Restons Solicitors?

Restons Solicitors claim to always act with integrity during the debt collection process, but mistakes still occur.

If you believe you’re being mistreated by a debt collector from Restons Solicitors, there is a complaints procedure you can follow:

Contact them directly

The first thing you should do if you’re being mistreated by a debt collector is to contact Restons Solicitors directly by phone or by post. If you send a written complaint, remember to include your unique reference number and provide as much information as possible.

The Restons Solicitors website has a ‘complaints’ tab outlining the exact steps you should follow if you wish to submit a complaint. They aim to respond to all complaints within three business days and will write to you if they believe they will be unable to do so.

Reach out to the Legal Ombudsman

If you have gone through the company’s internal complaints procedure and remain unsatisfied, you can escalate your case to the Legal Ombudsman. This must be done within six months of you receiving the final response from Restons Solicitors.

It’s important to note that the Legal Ombudsman only handles complaints about regulated legal service providers for certain issues, such as costs, delays, and misinformation.

Where can I get more information on improving my financial situation?

If a debt collector has been in touch with you over an unpaid debt, it’s normal to feel worried and anxious about what might happen next – especially if you can’t afford the amount you’re being asked to pay and you’re being threatened or harassed.

However, it’s important to know that there is always help available. UK Debt Expert can review your financial situation and inform you of all available options, including debt solutions like an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or a Debt Management Plan (DMP).

An IVA is a legally binding agreement to repay your unsecured debt in lower monthly payments. After four years, any debt not repaid through the IVA will be written off. A DMP, on the other hand, is an arrangement where you repay your non-priority debts through affordable monthly payments until you’ve repaid your balance in full.

Whatever your situation, don’t hesitate to seek debt advice to determine the right option for you. The sooner you reach out for tailored support, the sooner you can deal with your outstanding debt and rebuild your financial situation.