The Limitation Act 1980 sets out the rules on how long a creditor has to take action against you to recover a debt i.e. take you to court.
This would include credit cards, store cards, bank and building society personal loans, catalogues, finance company loans etc.

You can argue that the creditor is out of time or ’statute barred’ from taking you to court for this debt if:
the creditor has not already obtained a judgment against you; and you or anyone else owing the money (if your debt is in joint names) have not made a payment on the debt during the last six years; and you have not written to the creditor admitting you owe the debt during the last six years.

You can find out more at the following web site
http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

You can also download a sample letter to send to the collection agencies.
Hope this helps answer your question.

 

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