My father once lent someone money in good faith towards education, who then later informed him they had no intention to repay. We're talking £8,000 here.

It took 4 years of legal process before he saw a penny as the other party tried to wriggle out of everything... even so far as fake lawyers and wrongly claiming to have moved out (which the judge did not look to kindly upon).

Recently he received a cheque for the remaining balance - 8yrs after he sent his first letter by registered post which is the first step in a small claims court.