ICM Kent Branch
Parisian trip was a truly memorable occasion
Following many months of negotiation and preparation around 50 people members, friends and associates of the Kent Branch of the ICM set off on the journey to Paris to meet like minded credit professionals in the beautiful city of Paris.
Following many months of negotiation and preparation around 50 people members, friends and associates of the Kent Branch of the ICM set off on the journey to Paris to meet like minded credit professionals in the beautiful city of Paris.
Meeting at Ebbsfleet to catch the Euro Star before 7am was no mean feat for some delegates who had travelled from the farthest corners of Kent, so not to miss what turned out to be a memorable occasion.
Arrival at the magnificent Gare du Nord station seemed to come much quicker than we all expected given the incessant banter among the delegates on the journey. Our guide and mentor for the day Pierre Haincourt, a member of the Kent ICM committee quickly organised metro ground tickets for the whole party and safely escorted us all to the meeting place at 14 rue Pergolèse, the HQ of French Institute of Credit Management (AFDCC).
On arrival at AFDCC offices we were very warmly greeted by our colleagues in the French Institute and ushered into the conference room where the 100 delegates from each side listened to welcome speeches, all in English. The first two were by Valerie Collot, Vice President International AFDCC and Vincent-Bruno Larger, Secretaire General AFDCC who very ably explained the structure and membership of our counterpart in France. Next, one of our Vice President’s Trevor Philips, discussed the structure and progress of what could be called the older cousin of the AFDCC the UK ICM. From these speeches it became apparent that essentially the only difference apart from the age of the two nstitutes is that the AFDCC is made up of corporate membership whereas in the UK it consists of individual members.
After lunch the really serious part of the visit began, the talks about the systems in place in the French and English jurisdictions for the collection of debts, mainly through their Courts. First up by request was Richard Seadon of TG Baynes solicitors, a Fellow and Council member of the ICM, explained the way of doing things in the English Courts. Richard made much of the use of the Late Payment Act in his presentation explaining how this has become a very powerful tool in the collection of overdue accounts. One delegate said that his company had actually ended a year having made several thousand pounds even after payment of all costs for collection.
Next to speak was Simon Paterson of Moore Stephens, treasurer of the ICM Kent branch, who illustrated the ever-changing approach to personal bankruptcy throughout the ages. Last year Simon treated us to an apocalyptic view of the world’s financial plight when presenting at the World Trade Centre in Lille and this year was equally entertaining and one could say frightening. It was explained that in the dark and middle ages dismembering an ear and nailing it to the pillory for bankruptcy was the order of the day and included in the slides was an illustration of one poor soul, who having spent thousands of pounds on loose living and now finding himself without the funds to pay his creditors, was being hanged at Newgate as a lesson to others not to pursue bankruptcy as an easy way out! Some in the audience commented that just like the move to bring back capital punishment, stricter regimes for dealing with bankruptcy today might result in fewer numbers in that category?
Our final speaker was Elodie-Aurore Valette, Cabinet ARC (trainee lawyer) and to the great surprise of the audience also a bailiff! Elodie explained in depth a complex Court system for the recovery of debt. In all there were five Courts that could be used, the choice it seemed being based upon the size of debt to be pursued. Elodie has very kindly submitted her presentation to ICM headquarters and it can be viewed in full on the ICM website. It is not for the fainthearted.
There followed a lively question and answer session, again in English, in which all three speakers fielded questions on the various aspects of their talks that delegates wanted further explained. The sessions ended with all agreeing how useful the meeting had been to each side in understanding the others structure and approach to the age old problem of how to recover one’s money. Then having agreed that we must have some sort of return match when our colleagues in France join us for an event (we hope some will join us for the ICM Turner Lecture in November) the English delegation left for a wander round the sights of Paris before meeting up again for dinner in the evening.
The evening seemed to come all too quickly, when one is enjoying oneself in such beautiful surroundings and most met for an excellent three course dinner at Le Chansonnier. At the conclusion of the meal a five minute walk saw all delegates safely back at the Gare du Nord for a sleepy trip back to Angleterre. All agreed it had been an excellent day and our thanks go to Pierre Haincourt of Credit Limits International Ltd who organised the whole event.
Finally a question to you all: If a similar trip were organised next year would delegates from other branches like to be included? If so email Pierre at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
