A ROOKIE Hyndburn solicitor spoke this week of her involvement in a landmark court case.
Pauline DelMonaco, of Barnes Street, Church, was one of the legal team representing Tony and Michelle Meadows in a sensational civil case.
The couple, from Southport, made national headlines last month when a judge wiped out an astonishing £384,000 debt which had accumulated on a £5,750 loan they had taken out to carry out home improvements in 1989.
The case, which was also featured on all the major TV news channels, was initially heard at Southport County Court before it was sent to Liverpool County Court.
Pauline, 26, who completed her training just three months ago, said: "The case wasn't that well-known until it got to Liverpool. It was madness, all the press were there and I was on Sky TV. We knew the case would have implications for lots of people but didn't expect it to be so big."
She gained her law degree at the University of Central Lancashire before taking a postgraduate law course. Following a gap year, she landed a job as a trainee solicitor with Chestnut Spruce in Ainsdale, Southport.
She said: "It was an interesting case to work on and it may still go to appeal but the ball is in the debt owners' court now. This has been going on for years for the Meadows family and there have been lots of legal to-ings and fro-ings.
"The judge ruled it was an extortionate amount to have to pay back. The credit agreement was bad from the start. The message to people is that they must check the small print when getting a loan. The interest rate for that time was normal, but when they fell into debt the rates were compounded and they charged interest on the arrears."
She said her firm was delighted to win the case, adding: "The Meadows are a lovely couple. I didn't want them to lose their home. We wanted what was best for them as they are our clients. They have two children and that would have been terrible for them."
Pauline's husband Steve said: "I am really proud of her. She deserves all the praise she gets.''
