Is it a criminal offence to owe someone money, carrying the risk of court action?

Okay, here's an explanation of why it's false that owing someone money is a criminal offense in the UK. The key thing to remember is the difference between civil and criminal law. Criminal law deals with actions that are considered harmful to society as a whole, like theft, assault, or fraud. These crimes are prosecuted by the state, and can result in imprisonment. Civil law, on the other hand, deals with disputes between individuals or organizations. Simply owing money falls under civil law. If you don't pay a bill, for example, the person or company you owe money to can take you to court to recover the debt. This might result in a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you, and bailiffs could be sent to recover assets, but you won't be arrested. Now, there are situations where debt can become a criminal matter, such as if you obtain credit through deception or fraud. But just the act of owing money, in itself, isn't a crime. It's a civil matter handled through the courts. So, don't worry, you won't be thrown in jail just for forgetting to pay your friend back for lunch!