Skip to main content
Menu

Council tax summons

A summons is a legal notice to start official debt recovery proceedings against you. A Liability Order is obtained via the Magistrates Court. This gives Peterborough City Council the power to recover the council tax due from you by various means.

Why you have received a court summons

You will receive a court summons if our records show that you have failed to pay your council tax as requested despite a reminder and / or final notice being sent to you. This may be due to:

  • Missed payment
  • Partial payment
  • Unresolved dispute

You do not need to attend the court hearing

You DO NOT need to attend court if ONE of the following applies:

  • You have paid in full (including costs):
    Do nothing, but check with us if in any doubt.
  • You have made part payment:
    Please contact us to discuss.
  • You can't afford to pay:
    Please contact us to discuss.
  • You would like to set up an arrangement:
    Please contact us to discuss.
  • You wish to dispute liability because you were not a Peterborough resident at the time:
    Email or post evidence to us.
  • You wish to dispute liability because you should be receiving a discount or exemption:
    Please contact us to discuss

  • You wish to dispute liability because you are on benefits and receiving Council Tax Support:
    Please contact our Benefits Team on 01733 452 241 to confirm any changes, and then contact the Council Tax Team if necessary.

(See contact details for the Council Tax Service at the bottom of this page).

Valid defences

Although you have the right to appear before the Magistrates Court to provide evidence as to why the court should not grant a Liability Order, there are only certain Valid Defences. These include:

  • The property is not banded for the period in question (not entered on the Valuation List)
  • You are not the liable person listed - this does not include minor spelling errors or incorrect title
  • The council tax was not set correctly in accordance with the regulations
  • The debt is statute barred (it has been more than six years since the first demand for payment)
  • The council failed to serve required notices 'as soon as practicable' - this is not the same as receiving them
  • Bankruptcy / winding up has commenced
  • Payment has been made in full (including costs) - see above

Important - this is part of a bulk application. Even if you attend court on the date on the summons, you are unlikely to be seen by the Magistrate on the day. If you are contesting the case, the court may arrange another hearing later.

Stopping the action before the court hearing

You can stop the action before the hearing. You must pay the total amount shown on the front of the summons in full, including the court costs of £95.

What if you can't pay in full

Ensure you are receiving, or have applied for, any of the following which you may be entitled to:

You can also seek independent advice from:

If you are still unable to pay, please contact our Council Tax Service:

The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).

You can also post a letter to us:

Council Tax
Shared Transactional Services
Peterborough City Council
Town Hall
Bridge Street
Peterborough
PE1 1HQ

Last updated: 09 July 2025