28th July 2011

Judicare provide closure

Success in a case is in most instances an easy thing to define, however sometimes the definition of success can take on an altogether different meaning.

This proved to be the case for 1 couple whose dreams of taking delivery of a property on the islands of Cape Verde had turned into an extremely stressful and worrying experience.

The clients had initially reserved their unit and began to make the required stage payments according to the contract, the build schedule was on time, their personal finances were stable and the economic landscape looked settled; and then the global tsunami took hold.

Like a growing number of clients who are now contacting Judicare the knock-on effects of the downturn had placed them in a position whereby they were unable to complete the purchase once the development neared its delivery date and faced the prospect of forfeiting their initial deposits; the added worry then surfaced of their contract being “enforced” by the developer as they became in breach of their obligations according to contract leaving the threat of a potential action being brought against them in the UK.

At this point Judicare were contacted- Mrs. Spragg comments,

“After contacting various companies about the situation we found ourselves in whilst purchasing a property in Cape Verde, we found that unlike other companies Judicare did not request any up front fee.   They were happy to review our contract and offer appropriate advice on how the matter could be resolved and did not make any unrealistic promises.  Once we had decided on our way forward they handled matters professionally and brought our case to a satisfactory conclusion."

Judicare’s Chairman Jose Dorta explains “the trend now seems to be edging towards developers looking to apply pressure to UK investors with threats and legal letters advising them that they may be the subject of a legal enforcement of their contract due to failure to fulfil the terms and conditions of their agreements- a very distressing position to be faced with and demonstrates a distinct ramping up of intent from foreign constructors. From an increasing number of destinations including Dubai, Cyprus, Cape Verde, Portugal, Spain etc.. We are now actively defending clients against these attempts to pursue their assets here within the UK”

“If any purchasers of overseas properties are experiencing these scare tactics I would urge those clients to seek some specialist advice and not to simply ignore the communications” Dorta says “ As in most cases we review there are no grounds for such an action to be brought and the threats can easily be countered”

For more information on this subject or a confidential discussion please contact one of the Judicare team.