Man took his life over legal bill

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8210861.stm

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A man who hanged himself after he e-mailed a suicide note to the government mistakenly believed he was facing a £3,000 legal bill, an inquest heard.

Neil Hill, 56, sent the message days after losing a court case against rent rises for council tenants in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Bolton Coroner's Court heard no court order had in fact been made for Mr Hill to pay the costs at that time.

Peter Watson, assistant deputy coroner recorded a verdict of suicide.

The inquest heard Mr Hill was found dead at his flat on Astley Road in Cadishead on 21 April.

Police broke into his home after officials at the Treasury read the suicide e-mail.

His case against rent rises was thrown out at Salford County Court on 16 April after a judge ruled it was "fundamentally flawed" and "entirely without merit."

Regrettably he took a mistaken view of the law Peter Watson, assistant coroner

Two days later Mr Hill emailed government solicitors saying: "By the time you receive this I will be dead, having committed suicide.

"I hope you feel very proud of yourselves.

"Before you send another poor old person a bill for £3,000 please think of the consequences."

Neera Gujjar, the Treasury solicitor who called police after seeing Mr Hill's e-mail, told the hearing a costs figure of £2,947 had been arrived at - but it was an estimate not a bill.

Ms Gujjar revealed lawyers had written to Mr Hill twice advising him that if his court bid failed he may incur costs and to contact them.

At the court hearing the judge said the final costs would be ruled upon at a later date "having regard to the means of the unsuccessful party".

Mr Watson added: "Even if an order had been made it would not necessarily be made in the amount claimed in the statement or necessarily been enforced having regard to the circumstances of Mr Hill.

"Regrettably he took a mistaken view of the law."

Oliver Sanders, a government solicitor told Mr Hill's family: "It has been genuinely shocking and saddening and we really do extend our sincere condolences and sympathies."