Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Private parking tickets => Topic started by: joyvery636 on April 21, 2026, 02:00:03 pm
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See this thread: https://www.ftla.uk/private-parking-tickets/received-letter-of-claim-please-advise!!!/ which has a suggested response to a DCBL LOC, and will give a pointer as to how these things will pan out.
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I have been sent a letter of claim from dcb legal on behalf of smart parking limited regarding an unpaid parking charge. I have never received or experienced anything like this and the date this occurred was 21st March 2023 so I also have zero memory of this therefore can’t dispute.
Is this something I just go ahead and pay? Any advice welcome!
I can't seem to attach an image of the letter but copied the text below:
RE:
Our Client: Smart Parking Limited
Parking Charge Refs): Please see overleaf.
Amount Due: £170.00
We act for Smart Parking Limited and write in respect of an unpaid parking charges). This is a formal Letter of Claim in accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
Basis of Claim
The vehicle with registration number XXXX XXX (Vehicle") was parked on private land ("Land") managed by our Client. The
signs displayed on the Land set out the Terms of parking (i.e. "the Contract"). The Vehicle was parked in breach of the Terms and as such the Contract was accepted and a Parking Charge(s) was issued. You are liable as the Keeper or Driver. The details of the Parking Charge(s) can be found in the schedule at the bottom of this letter. Payment was due within 28 days of the Parking Charges) being issued but remains outstanding.
The amount of the debt is £170.00, which includes the Parking Charge(s) and debt recovery costs. If a claim is issued, further costs will be sought, together with accruing interest at 8% above base rate per annum pursuant to s69 of The County Courts Act 1984.
Next Steps
Within 30 days of the date of this letter, you should either make payment using one of the methods detailed overleaf or complete the Reply Form and financial statement. Failure to do so is likely to result in a claim being issued without further notice. Please visit www.dcblegal.co.uk/response to complete and submit the reply form and financial statement. You will also find an additional information sheet summarising your rights and responsibilities under the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
Your attention is drawn to the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 and the Court's power to impose sanctions if you fail to pay or respond. Any such failure will be brought to the attention of the Court when considering costs. Any non-compliance with the Rules can increase liability for costs. The BPA Code of Practice requires us to make the customer (driver/keeper) aware of the implications of non-payment including, should the Court find against them, the risk to their credit rating.
We suggest you deal with this as a matter of urgency to avoid a claim being issued. You may wish to seek independent legal advice from a Solicitor or other free money advice organisation.
If you would like a 'dispute resolution call' with our team, or a paper copy of the information sheet, reply form or financial statement, please call our office on 0203 434 0427.