Pleading Sanity · Plain English Rights
Sanity Law
A letter from an energy company or a court can feel like a verdict before you have spoken. This page helps you understand what the letter means, what your rights are, and the lawful, peaceful steps you can take. Nothing here replaces a solicitor.
McKenzie friends (lay supporters) are allowed in the civil and family courts: Judiciary — Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts) · GOV.UK — Help from a layperson (McKenzie friend)
Know Your Rights
These are the real rules, checked against Ofgem, Citizens Advice, the judiciary and GOV.UK. Every claim links to its source.
Energy bill disputes: complain first, then the Energy Ombudsman
If your bill is wrong, tell your supplier in writing and keep a copy. The supplier must try to fix it within 8 weeks. If they do not fix it, or you get a "deadlock" letter saying they cannot do more, you can take it to the Energy Ombudsman — free, independent, and their decision binds the supplier (it does not bind you). Ofgem regulates the sector but does not resolve individual complaints.
- Complain to your supplier first, in writing, and keep records.
- Escalate after 8 weeks or a deadlock letter to the Energy Ombudsman.
- Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133 can help you frame the complaint.
Sources: Ofgem — Complain about your energy supplier · Citizens Advice — Complain to the Energy Ombudsman · Energy Ombudsman — How we can help
Prepayment meters: Ofgem's strengthened rules (2024 reforms)
A supplier can only move you to a prepayment meter without your permission as a last resort, and only if Ofgem has approved that supplier's practices. Before any involuntary installation the supplier must make at least 10 attempts to contact you and carry out a site welfare visit. They must not forcibly install one for the highest-risk households — including homes dependent on powered medical equipment, occupants aged 75+ without support, children under 2, severe or terminal illness, or where no one can top up due to physical or mental incapacity. A £30 credit (or equivalent non-disconnection period) must be given at installation. These licence protections (Standard Licence Conditions 28.10–28.13) have been extended and remain in force.
Sources: Ofgem — New rules to install prepayment meters for recovering debt · Ofgem — Extending protections on prepayment meters installed under warrant · Citizens Advice — Stop your supplier installing a prepayment meter
Warrants of entry: what they are and your right to be heard
If you refuse entry, a supplier can apply to a magistrates' court for a warrant of entry — a court order allowing them to enter your home to fit a meter. The supplier must tell you at least 21 days before applying for the warrant, and you can ask to join the hearing (usually by video) to tell the court why a prepayment meter is not suitable for you — for example a health condition or inability to top up. If a warrant is granted it is valid for 28 days. The courts resumed listing these applications in 2024 under stricter directions; suppliers must satisfy the court they have followed the rules.
Sources: Judiciary — Directions on warrants for prepayment meters · Citizens Advice — Warrants and your rights
Court claims for energy debt: respond — never ignore
Most suppliers rarely sue for household energy debt because the meter route is cheaper and their licence requires them to offer affordable repayment first. But if a county court claim form does arrive, respond to it. An unanswered claim becomes a default judgment (CCJ) that stays on your record for six years. Responding lets you propose instalments you can afford. If a CCJ is granted and you do not pay as ordered, the supplier can apply for a warrant of control, and an enforcement agent (bailiff) may get involved — they must send a notice of enforcement giving at least 7 days (often 14 clear days) before visiting, and they cannot force entry to a residential home unless they have previously been let in. At every stage, ask for an affordable repayment plan based on what you can actually pay.
Sources: GOV.UK — Warrant of control · National Debtline — County Court bailiffs · Citizens Advice — Bailiffs and your rights
Tenants: your landlord still has duties
If you rent, your landlord cannot disconnect your energy or force you onto a meter unlawfully. You are the customer of the energy supplier in your name and you have the same Ofgem rights as any other customer. If the property is below the legal energy efficiency standard or the heating does not work, that is a separate housing issue — Citizens Advice and Shelter can help. A letter about energy is not a reason to leave your home without advice.
Sources: Citizens Advice — Renting a home · Shelter — Repairs in rented housing · Ofgem — Energy advice for households
Cooper's Energy Law
Shane Cooper stands with you — peacefully, lawfully
If you get an energy or court letter, it can come through Shane. He will sit with you, read it with you, and help you understand what it says and how to respond through the proper channels. He is willing to stand with you peacefully and put the whole story before the court through the correct process — as a McKenzie friend, with the court's permission, sitting beside you and helping you organise your papers. He is not a solicitor and cannot speak for you in court or sign documents for you.
- Peaceful and lawful at every step — no threats, no disruption, no magic-word paperwork.
- He helps you understand and respond; you always speak for yourself in court.
- Not a substitute for a solicitor. For formal legal advice, see a solicitor or Citizens Advice.
What a McKenzie friend can and cannot do: Judiciary — Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts) · GOV.UK — Help from a layperson (McKenzie friend)
Agree & Stand
Two ways to join. Shane keeps every agreement and stands with you peacefully and lawfully — as a McKenzie friend and supporter, with the court's permission. He is not a solicitor.
1. Sign by email
McKenzie friends are allowed in civil and family courts with the court's permission: Judiciary — Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends · Free advice: Citizens Advice 0808 223 1133 · LawWorks free clinic
2. Message Shane on WhatsApp
Prefer to talk directly? Send one word and Shane will know you stand with him.
Message Shane privately on WhatsApp — send AGREESending "AGREE" comes to Shane only — for people who want to help, could help, or want to ask him personally.
How This Works
Four simple steps. Peaceful, lawful, no violence — and never ignore a court letter.
Agree
Sign by email above, or send AGREE on WhatsApp to Shane. That is it — you are in.
Keep the letter
If you get an energy or court letter, do not ignore it. Take a photo and keep the envelope and every page. Ignoring a county court claim leads to a default judgment (CCJ).
Contact Shane
Message Shane on WhatsApp (above). He will talk you through what the letter means and the lawful next steps.
Shane stands WITH you
Peacefully, legally, in court — as a McKenzie friend / supporter (not a solicitor). He sits beside you, helps with papers, and quietly advises. You speak for yourself.
Responding to a court claim: GOV.UK — Replying to the claim form (N1C) · McKenzie friends: Judiciary — Practice Guidance · Free help: Citizens Advice — Law and courts
Power for Our People
"When enough of us agree, Shane will fully stand up to them all — on his own if that's what it takes."
people have stood up so far (counted on this device + Shane's verified tally)
Honesty: this is not a fake live server count. The number above is recorded on this device, starting at 0. The full verified tally is kept and confirmed by Shane from Netlify form submissions and WhatsApp AGREE messages — and it includes your agreement. No invented numbers. And growing.
The rights we stand on: Ofgem · Citizens Advice · Energy Ombudsman
Ask Sanity Law (AI)
Ask a plain-English question about an energy bill, a letter, or a court step. The AI is guided to cite real UK sources and always say it is not legal advice. It will never advise illegal acts. If it is offline or busy, the fallback contacts below still work.
Powered by Arron. Replies are general guidance, not legal advice.
Spot Fake Laws
Online, you will meet people who claim a phrase, a capitalised spelling, or an old "common law" idea can make a court claim vanish. These are called pseudolegal or "freeman" tactics. They do not work in UK courts, they waste your time, and they can make the outcome worse. Here is how to check anything you are told.
Verify every statute on legislation.gov.uk
If someone quotes an Act, check it exists and is still in force at legislation.gov.uk, the official UK statute database. Energy is governed by real Acts such as the Electricity Act 1989, the Gas Act 1986 and the Utilities Act 2000. Court and enforcement rules include the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. Who can act as a lawyer is set by the Legal Services Act 2007. If you cannot find the "Act" someone quotes, it is not law.
Statute, guidance, byelaw, terms — they are not equal
A statute (Act of Parliament) is law made by Parliament and can be enforced by courts. Guidance (Ofgem, GOV.UK) explains how rules should be applied but is not itself law. A byelaw is a local rule made by a council or body with Parliament's permission. Terms and conditions are a contract between you and a company — they can be challenged and cannot override statute. If someone mixes these up and calls a contract "the law", check which one it really is.
Wartime and temporary Acts: check for sunset clauses
Some old or emergency Acts have expiry dates ("sunset clauses") or have been repealed. Even Ofgem's prepayment warrant protections were originally time-limited and had to be formally extended. Always check the "status" and "more about" notes on legislation.gov.uk to see if an Act is still in force, partially repealed, or expired. A law that ended decades ago cannot help you today.
Source: legislation.gov.uk — How to check if legislation is in force
"Common law" claims and magic words: check, then ignore
Phrases like "I do not consent", "all caps names", or claims that "common law" overrides Parliament are not defences in UK courts. No paperwork removes your duty to respond to a legitimate court claim. The courts have repeatedly rejected these arguments. If a video or post tells you to ignore a court letter or to threaten the other side, that is the moment to walk away and contact Citizens Advice, a solicitor, or LawWorks.
Sources: Judiciary — Guidance and resources · Citizens Advice — Law and courts
Court Prep Checklist
Before you go
- Bring the letter, your evidence, bills, receipts, any replies you sent, photo ID, and a notebook with dates.
- Arrive early — aim for 30 minutes before the hearing time. Eat and drink before you go; court days are long.
- Address the judge as "Sir" or "Madam" (or "Your Honour" in the county court). Speak only when it is your turn. Stay calm and stick to facts.
- Bring a McKenzie friend if you want one — tell the judge at the start. They can sit with you, take notes, help with papers and quietly advise, but they cannot speak for you, question witnesses, or sign documents. The judge can refuse permission, so be ready to sit alone.
- A duty solicitor is for criminal cases (police station and magistrates court). For a civil county court energy debt hearing, use Citizens Advice, a LawWorks free clinic, a Law Centre, the Access to Justice Foundation, or Civil Legal Advice (legal aid) on 0345 345 4345.
- Save these numbers: Citizens Advice consumer 0808 223 1133 · Civil Legal Advice 0345 345 4345 · Energy Ombudsman via energyombudsman.org.
Sources: Judiciary — McKenzie Friends guidance · GOV.UK — Civil Legal Advice · LawWorks · Law Centres Network · Access to Justice Foundation