It is possible that they have limited the amount to £5000 as cases above this have to be heard in the high court - maybe they have decided tactically that demand of a smaller sum may jive you into action whereas from what you say, you are just as unable to pay £5k as £39k.(posted 7991 days ago)However, if they bankrupt you for £5k, they are effectively estopped from putting in a demand for a higher figure out of the bankruptcy shareout if there is one!