Possession Claims Online Project (PCOL)
The Possession Claim Online Project (PCOL) proposes to deliver a web enabled application to manage claims in county courts for possession of residential property for non-payment of rent or mortgage only.
The current project timetable shows that full functionality for issue and hearing of the claim, order production and enforcement will be developed by January 2006. The system will then undergo a period of acceptance testing with a view to deploying the service into the proving courts in late March 2006. Following the proving period, the service will be evaluated to ensure that it is working in accordance with the requirements following which approval to rollout nationally will be sought. If the approvals process recommends deployment then National Rollout will occur in June 2006.
The Proposed New Process
New electronic channels for claimants to issue claims using :
-
internet forms (similar to the Money Claim on-line service) for the small and infrequent user; or
-
a system to system interface for frequent users which will directly exchange data from the claimants own systems with PCOL;
The system will also provide the following facilities:
-
the ability to pay court fees electronically by credit/debit card and direct debit
-
the ability to determine the correct court of issue based on the postcode of the property
-
the ability to allocate hearing dates on issue.
-
production and despatch of the claim pack to the defendant from a central point for claims received electronically
-
the ability for defendants to access the system (if they so wish) by a unique password and ID produced by the system.
-
the ability for parties to conduct some other case related processes electronically e.g issue warrants, make general applications
The Benefits
-
Delivering a web-enabled application for possession claims, capable of validating, receiving electronic payments and allocating hearing dates,
-
Extending the range of court services on line for claimants, defendants and advisers,
-
Creating two-way electronic channels whereby claimants, defendants, advisers, judiciary and court staff can share claims data from a central database,
-
Providing 24/7 remote access to PCOL for claimants, defendants, and advisers
-
Parties involved in possession claims will also be able to choose their preferred method of communication, so they have the option to be contacted electronically rather than by post. .
The proving courts will be within the South Wales area namely Aberdare, Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath, Pontypridd & Swansea. During proving claimants who register with the PCOL service will be able to issue and manage claims online through these court's, defendants will also be able to reply and view progress of their claims online.
The practice direction covering Possession Claim Online can be found at http://www.dca.gov.uk/civil/procrules_fin/contents/practice_directions/pd_part55b.htm
A flash media presentation giving more information about the Possession Claim On-line project is available on request from the project team at the e-mail address below.
Information explaining the requirements for the system to system interface and submission of multiple claims is available here (PDF 620kB)
If you are interested or would like to find out more please contact
Martin Geddes of the project team, at:
Email martin.geddes@dca.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7189 2357
Paul Rogers the project manager
Email paul.rogers@dca.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0121 681 3269