Do I need a Tomlin order?
Unless your job is at risk, the disadvantages of a Tomlin order will probably outweigh the advantages. This means for most people, there is little point applying for one.
Advantages of a Tomlin order
As long as you pay the agreed amount, the court claim is put on hold so no CCJ will appear on your credit file or on the public Register of Judgments
The terms of the Tomlin order are confidential between you and your lender
Disadvantages of a Tomlin order
Lenders are under no obligation to agree to a Tomlin order and are often unwilling to even consider it. Tomlin orders are not well known or understood, and by the time they’ve issued a County Court claim, many lenders may be unwilling to offer any further concessions
Lenders may insist on payments at a level you can’t really afford
There will be extra costs added to your debt. For example, there may be extra court fees or the lender may charge you for the legal costs of drawing up the agreement
If your circumstances change, it can be hard to alter the Tomlin order instalments. You can only change these if the lender agrees, and the court has no power to intervene. By contrast, CCJ payments can be altered fairly easily by applying to the court