Restons Solicitors Limited (Company 05584055) is a law firm that also operates as debt collectors. Unlike standard collection agencies, Restons are solicitors, which means they can issue court proceedings directly without instructing external lawyers. Here’s what matters: while they can take legal action more easily than non-solicitor collectors, they still cannot send bailiffs unless they first obtain a County Court Judgment.
If you owe £6,000+ across multiple debts, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) can stop Restons immediately and write off the remaining debt after 5-6 years.
Quick answers#
Can Restons Solicitors send bailiffs? Not without a court order. They’re solicitors, but they still need to get a County Court Judgment (CCJ) first.
Are Restons Solicitors legitimate? Yes. Restons Solicitors Limited (Company 05584055) is FCA-authorised and based in Warrington.
Can an IVA stop Restons? Yes. Once approved, they must stop all contact and legal action.
Who are Restons Solicitors?#
Restons Solicitors Limited (Company 05584055) is a law firm specialising in debt recovery. They’re regulated by both the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority.
Company details:
- Registered office: Trinity Chambers, 800 Mandarin Court, Centre Park, Warrington, WA1 1GG
- Company number: 05584055
- Phone: 01925 426100
- FCA authorised: Yes
Being solicitors gives Restons an advantage over standard debt collectors: they can issue County Court claims directly without instructing external lawyers, making legal action faster and cheaper for them.
Why is Restons contacting me?#
Restons contacts you because they’re collecting a debt on behalf of a creditor who has instructed them, or they may have purchased the debt outright.
This is why you might not recognise Restons’ name:
You had a credit card with NatWest. You fell behind on payments. NatWest sold the debt to a debt purchaser. The debt purchaser instructed Restons (their solicitors) to collect it. A Restons letter arrives from “solicitors,” and you think it’s more serious—which is exactly the point.
Who instructs Restons:
- Debt purchasers
- Banks and credit card companies (NatWest, Santander, PayPal Credit)
- Utility companies
- Telecoms providers (mobile phones, broadband)
The use of “solicitors” letterhead is deliberate. Many people who ignore standard debt collector letters will respond when they see a law firm’s name, often agreeing to payments before court action is even filed.
Can Restons send bailiffs?#
No, not without a County Court Judgment.
Being solicitors doesn’t give Restons the power to send bailiffs. They still need to follow the same process as any other debt collector:
- Send formal letters demanding payment
- Follow the Pre-Action Protocol (30-day warning)
- Issue a County Court claim
- Obtain a CCJ
- Only then can they apply for bailiff enforcement
What Restons CAN do:
- Send letters and emails
- Call you (between 8am and 9pm)
- Issue court proceedings directly (they’re solicitors)
- Take you to court faster than non-solicitor collectors
What Restons CANNOT do:
- Force entry to your home
- Send bailiffs without a CCJ
- Take your belongings
- Clamp your vehicle
- Threaten you with immediate bailiff action
The fact they’re solicitors makes court action easier for them, but they still need a court order before bailiffs can be involved.
Can Restons take me to court?#
Yes—and this is their main advantage.
Because Restons are solicitors, they can issue County Court claims directly without hiring external lawyers. This makes legal action faster and cheaper for them, which means they’re more likely to use it.
The legal escalation process:
1. Pre-Action Protocol (30-day warning)
Before issuing a court claim, Restons must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. They’ll send a formal “Letter of Claim” giving you 30 days to respond.
2. County Court claim
If you don’t respond or arrange payment, Restons will issue a County Court claim themselves (unlike non-solicitor collectors who have to instruct lawyers). You’ll receive court papers (form N1) at your address.
3. County Court Judgment (CCJ)
If you don’t defend the claim, the court will enter a judgment against you. This is a County Court Judgment (CCJ), which:
- Stays on your credit file for 6 years
- Makes it nearly impossible to get credit, mortgages, or phone contracts
- Allows Restons to enforce through bailiffs
4. Enforcement after a CCJ
Once Restons has a CCJ, they can apply for:
- Attachment of Earnings Order: Your employer deducts money from your wages
- Charging Order: The debt is secured against your property (if you’re a homeowner)
- Warrant of Control: The court issues a warrant allowing actual bailiffs to seize goods
Don’t ignore Restons letters. The fact they’re solicitors means court action is more likely and happens faster than with non-solicitor collectors.
Is the debt really yours?#
Before you pay Restons anything, verify the debt is actually yours.
Request proof under the Consumer Credit Act 1974:
If the debt is a credit agreement (credit card, loan, mobile phone contract), you have the right to request a copy of the original agreement under Section 77 or 78.
Write to Restons:
Restons Solicitors Limited
Trinity Chambers
800 Mandarin Court
Centre Park
Warrington
WA1 1GGSay:
“I’m writing regarding account reference [your reference number]. Under Section 77/78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, I request a true copy of the executed credit agreement for this debt. I also request a full breakdown of how the current balance has been calculated. I don’t acknowledge this debt until I receive proof.”
Restons has 12 working days to respond. If they can’t provide a valid agreement, they can’t enforce the debt through the courts.
When is a debt statute-barred?
If you haven’t acknowledged a debt or made a payment in 6 years (England/Wales) or 5 years (Scotland), it might be statute-barred.
Statute-barred debts can’t be enforced through the courts. Restons can still ask you to pay, but they can’t take legal action.
Warning: If you make a payment (even £1) or acknowledge the debt in writing, the 6-year clock resets.
Will Restons accept a settlement?#
Yes—Restons typically accepts full and final settlements of 40-70% of the debt value.
Like most debt collectors, Restons would rather receive a lump sum settlement than wait years for monthly payments or an IVA dividend.
How to negotiate a settlement:
- Don’t offer first. Let Restons tell you what they want.
- Start lower. If they want 70%, offer 40-50%.
- Explain your circumstances. “I’ve been offered help from family, but they can only lend £X.”
- Get it in writing. Never pay until you have written confirmation from Restons that the settlement clears the debt in full.
- Pay via bank transfer and keep proof of payment.
How to stop Restons with an IVA#
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legally binding agreement between you and all your creditors (including those using Restons) to repay what you can afford over 5-6 years. At the end, any remaining debt is written off—typically 60-80%.
Why an IVA stops Restons:
Once your IVA is approved, all creditors—including those using Restons—must:
- Stop contacting you
- Stop legal action (even if court proceedings have already been issued)
- Freeze interest and charges
- Accept the monthly payment your Insolvency Practitioner distributes
Restons cannot refuse to comply with an approved IVA, even though they’re solicitors. It’s a legal order that supersedes their court claim.
What debts can be included?
All of the debts Restons collects are unsecured, which means they’re includable in an IVA:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Overdrafts
- Mobile phone contracts
- Catalogue debts
- Store cards
- Utility arrears
To qualify for an IVA, you typically need:
- £6,000+ in unsecured debt
- Two or more creditors
- A regular income (employed or self-employed)
- Spare income after essential bills (usually £80-100/month minimum)
Check if you qualify for an IVA
How to deal with Restons calls#
You have rights:
Request written communication only. You can tell Restons (verbally or in writing) that you only want to be contacted by post. They must comply under FCA rules. This stops the calls.
Don’t admit the debt until you’ve verified it. If you don’t recognise the debt, say: “I need to see proof of this debt in writing before I can discuss it.”
Don’t make a payment just to make them go away. Paying even £1 can restart the statute-barred clock if the debt is over 6 years old.
If you’re vulnerable, tell them. If you have mental health problems, serious illness, disability, or are in crisis, declare this. Restons must follow FCA “Consumer Duty” rules and adjust their approach.
How to complain#
1. Complain to Restons directly
Write to:
Restons Solicitors Limited
Trinity Chambers
800 Mandarin Court
Centre Park
Warrington
WA1 1GGPhone: 01925 426100
Include your reference number, dates of the issue, what happened, and what you want.
Restons has 8 weeks to respond.
2. Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
If Restons hasn’t followed professional conduct rules (aggressive behaviour, misleading claims):
- Website: www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems
- They regulate solicitors and can investigate complaints
3. Financial Ombudsman Service
If Restons doesn’t respond or you’re not satisfied:
- Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
- Phone: 0800 023 4567
4. Financial Conduct Authority
If Restons has breached FCA rules:
- Website: www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-firm
- Phone: 0800 111 6768
If you’re struggling with debt, use our free IVA calculator to see if you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Can Restons Solicitors send bailiffs?#
No, not without a County Court Judgment. Being solicitors doesn’t give them automatic bailiff powers. They still need to get a CCJ first.
Are Restons legitimate?#
Yes. Restons Solicitors Limited (Company 05584055) is FCA-authorised and based in Warrington.
Why am I getting letters from solicitors?#
Restons are solicitors, but they’re acting as debt collectors. The use of “solicitors” letterhead is deliberate—it makes letters seem more serious and increases response rates.
Will they take me to court?#
Yes, they can, and they’re more likely to than non-solicitor collectors. Because they’re solicitors, they can issue court claims directly without hiring external lawyers.
Can I stop them with an IVA?#
Yes. Check if you qualify
Will they accept a settlement?#
Yes. Restons typically accepts settlements of 40-70% of the debt value. Get agreements in writing before paying.
How long can they chase me?#
6 years in England/Wales, 5 years in Scotland.