Free Traffic Legal Advice

Live cases legal advice => Private parking tickets => Topic started by: gingernut on March 28, 2025, 10:31:53 am

Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on December 03, 2025, 08:30:23 pm
Please remind us whether this claim has been issued by Parkingeye or are they being represented by DCB Legal? All the previous images of the N1SDT have been deleted.

What you must do very first thing on Tuesday morning, 9th December, is phone the court and find out if they paid the trial fee. If they have not, then the claim is struck out. If they have paid it, you will have to prepare your Witness Statement and be ready to submit it on Monday 29th December, no later than 4pm.

Before we do any of that, wait until you can confirm whether they have paid the trial fee. If they have, then you do not submit any WS until the deadline, unless you receive theirs beforehand.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on December 03, 2025, 08:06:23 pm
You guys are ludicrously helpful and patient.  Thank you all so much.

https://ibb.co/zHJCXhYq
https://ibb.co/gMScP3Kt
https://ibb.co/x9j6XDv
https://ibb.co/LD15wzgK
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on December 03, 2025, 12:21:20 pm
Posting Images (https://www.ftla.uk/announcements/posting-images/#new)
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on December 03, 2025, 10:35:00 am
https://www.ftla.uk/private-parking-tickets/read-this-first-private-parking-charges-forum-guide/ includes a link to instructions on how to post documents here.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on December 03, 2025, 08:13:42 am
"For now, just wait for the allocation notice and show it when it arrives."

Do you happen to have an email address for this kind of thing @b789

I am really struggling to post the documents on here, the website seems to have changed since last time I posted.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on December 03, 2025, 08:03:14 am
Hiya, thanks for the kind reassurance and video.  I have indeed received that letter, attached.  Or will be soon as I remember/work out how

Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on November 15, 2025, 03:49:34 pm
All this means is that the claim has now been transferred to your local county court, which is standard procedure. You will next receive the Notice of Allocation and that will contain a hearing date and certain deadlines that must be met, including a deadline for the claimant to pay the £27 trial fee and the date by which any Witness Statements have to be submitted.

For now, just wait for the allocation notice and show it when it arrives.

Even if this did end up being heard in court, it is nothing to be afraid of. This is a civil procedure. It is not a criminal court. There are no wigs and gowns. In fact it is just a meeting with the judge as a truly independent arbiter who will guide you and make a decision based on the facts.

Have a watch of this short video which explains what happens on the day if it ever gets as far as a hearing:

https://youtu.be/n93eoaxhzpU?feature=shared
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on November 15, 2025, 03:08:04 pm
I have received a letter, "Notice of Transfer of Proceedings."

"This claim has been transferred to the county court at X for allocation.  On receipt, the file will be referred to a procedural judge who will allocate the claim to track and give case management directions.  Details of the judge's decision will be sent to you in a notice of allocation."

So i suppose this means they are going all the way, and i will have to attend a physical court hearing?
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on October 17, 2025, 11:36:05 am
Ok, I've done the phone call.  Said what b789 suggested. 

They provided me with the name Samantha Taylor, position Claims Handler (for ParkingEye).

The guy seemed disappointed in my £0 offer, and told me to await details of the court hearing.

Exciting stuff  8)

Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on October 17, 2025, 10:21:37 am
It seems in my minor panic I didn't notice that very important word "between."  Thanks for pointing that out. 

I suddenly realised I haven't actually taken any action since the email, I've just been waiting for the phone call, and re-reading the email it comes off rather ambiguous as to whether I actually needed to do anything.

I will assume I've done everything right and wait for the call.  If it turns out I had to send a formal email declaring I would be the one to take the call, or something, and I get penalised for not doing so, there are many confusing/ambiguous quotes in the email.  Not that I particularly fancy a fight with them as well as ParkingEye.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on October 17, 2025, 10:02:06 am
Your post:
Quote
This means that the mediator will call you between the times shown.
It will last minutes, not hours.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on October 17, 2025, 09:48:47 am
My mediation appointment started 20 minutes ago, and I have not received a call yet.  I am extremely anxious I have somehow messed this up. 

The email says "You must make sure you have provided us with, or confirmed, the name and number of the person who will be conducting the mediation appointment."

I haven't done anything in response to the email.  I said on the forms I was willing to do a mediation appointment and filled in my name and number countless times.

"Be ready to receive a call from the mediator from the beginning of your time slot. The mediator will call the telephone number you provided in your application."

Again, I provided my phone number numerous times.

Can anyone tell me if I have messed this up?  Or could I receive the call any time between 9:30 and 12:30, the entire slot?
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on September 25, 2025, 02:00:10 pm
For the mediation call, the only requirement is for you "attend" the call. It is not part of the judicial process and no judge is involved.

This is what I advise you to say when you receive the call from the mediator:

“Before I set out my position, please confirm from the claimant’s side:

• the full name of the person attending for them;
• their role/position at their legal representative’s firm; and
• whether they hold written authority to negotiate and settle today.

Please relay that back to me before we continue.”

After the mediator calls back...

If identified and authority confirmed:

“Thank you. I’m content to proceed on that basis. My settlement offer is £0, or I invite the claimant to discontinue with no order as to costs.”

If no/unclear authority:

“Please record that the claimant’s attendee has not confirmed settlement authority. My position remains that liability is denied and my offer is £0, subject to prompt approval by an authorised solicitor if they choose to discontinue.”

All you need to know is the name and the position of the person acting for the claimant and report that back to us. It will be over within minutes. Complete waste of time otherwise.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on September 25, 2025, 11:37:56 am
Thank you all so much again for the advice.  I thought I was out of the woods when I received a letter saying ParkingEye had not submitted their form, and they had seven days to do so or the claim would be struck out.

Sadly it looks like they did get it in and I have received an email:

"Your telephone mediation appointment
Appointment date: 17/10/2025

Appointment time slot: 09:30 to 12:30

Your confidential telephone mediation appointment has been booked for the above date and time slot. This means that the mediator will call you between the times shown. Your appointment will last for around one hour from the point at which the mediator calls.

The mediator will call both parties separately – you will not talk directly to the other side. They will try to help you both come to an agreement before the case goes to court.

Where your mediation appointment is mandatory, If you do not attend the appointment, the judge will take this into consideration at any court hearing and may issue a penalty. This could include the judge automatically ruling in the other party’s favour or ordering you to pay for some or all the other party’s costs."

There is more in the email but I assume you guys know the score.

Any advice on what to do gratefully received.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on July 19, 2025, 10:23:21 am
Don't bother posting. Use their online complaints form here: https://www.parkingeye.co.uk/motorist/complaints/form/

You can upload a file with the complaint. Just complain that their advertised email address, info@parkingeye.co.uk has not rejected the email but sent an auto reply that is designed to obfuscate and make it difficult to provide necessary legal documents electronically.

They will have received your copy of the N180 bt do so again using the link above as a belt and braces guarantee that the document has been served.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on July 19, 2025, 07:17:16 am
In your place, I would post the N180 to Parking Eye with the email rejection message printed and stapled to the front of it.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 19, 2025, 07:05:29 am
Ok, I've finally with much anxiety sent off the digital questionnaire with a day to spare.  I immediately got two automated emails back, one from CNBC confirming they received it, the other from ParkingEye saying "Your message to info@parkingeye.co.uk couldn't be delivered.
info@parkingeye.co.uk only accepts messages from people in its organization or on its allowed senders list, and your email address isn't on the list."

I assume ParkingEye need to be kept in the loop however they have deliberately made themselves incredibly difficult to contact.  Is this my problem?  Or can I just leave it at that?  Thanks again.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on July 18, 2025, 09:15:15 am
@jfollows thank you so much for all that.  One quick question - for F3 you state "1" however the person I was doing the removal for is willing to to come as a witness.  Is there any real benefit to this?  Should I bother putting 2 down?
Why not, indeed, it will do no harm.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 18, 2025, 08:51:02 am
@jfollows thank you so much for all that.  One quick question - for F3 you state "1" however the person I was doing the removal for is willing to to come as a witness.  Is there any real benefit to this?  Should I bother putting 2 down? 
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on July 15, 2025, 06:32:18 pm
Do you have any kind of donation station?  I would love to buy you a coffee/beer.
Make a donation to a charity you support, or one suggested by @b789, or The Stroke Association from me.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on July 15, 2025, 04:19:59 pm
Probably the most repeated post on this forum!
Quote
As for the N180 DQ just follow this advice:

Having received your own N180 (make sure it is not simply a copy of the claimants N180), do not use the paper form. Ignore all the other forms that came with it. you can discard those. Download your own here and fill it in on your computer. You sign it by simply typing your full name in the signature box.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673341e779e9143625613543/N180_1124.pdf

Here are the answers to some of the less obvious questions:

• The name of the court is "Civil National Business Centre".

• To be completed by "Your full name" and you are the "Defendant".

• C1: "YES"

• D1: "NO". Reason: "I wish to question the Claimant about their evidence at a hearing in person and to expose omissions and any misleading or incorrect evidence or assertions.
Given the Claimant is a firm who complete cut & paste parking case paperwork for a living, having this case heard solely on papers would appear to put the Claimant at an unfair advantage, especially as they would no doubt prefer the Defendant not to have the opportunity to expose the issues in the Claimants template submissions or speak as the only true witness to events in question.."

• F1: Whichever is your nearest county court. Use this to find it: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/search-option

• F3: "1".

• Sign the form by simply typing your full name for the signature.

When you have completed the form, attach it to a single email addressed to both dq.cnbc@justice.gov.uk and info@parkingeye.co.uk and CC in yourself. Make sure that the claim number is in the subject field of the email.
Your objective is to secure a date for a hearing in person at your local court, which you will. The claimant wants a hearing on papers or by telephone at their local court. The costs to them of attending your local court in person are likely to make them discontinue, but given that this is Parking Eye handling the case itself that’s not guaranteed.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 15, 2025, 03:57:39 pm
Attached

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Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 15, 2025, 02:50:18 pm
Attached

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Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 15, 2025, 01:55:35 pm
Attached

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Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 15, 2025, 01:47:35 pm
Thanks again @b789 for such a speedy and helpful response.  The document pack includes all correspondence between ParkingEye and myself so far, CCTV stills, my appeal letters, and signage layout of the car park.  I will attach the some of these in case there is anything useful in there.

It also included a "directions questionnaire" I need to complete soon.  Guidance on what to put in there would be gratefully received.  I cannot exaggerate how out of my depth I am with all this, I probably would have just paid their offer of £100 without your help and reassurance. Do you have any kind of donation station?  I would love to buy you a coffee/beer.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on July 07, 2025, 08:12:39 pm
I'm assuming that the pack included all sorts of evidence that they intend to rely on. While a "reply to the defence" may rebut new matters raised in the defence, this document improperly introduces evidence, legal argument and new factual assertions that should be reserved for a witness statement or amended PoC.

It includes factual claims (ANPR images, signage content, grace periods [sic]) and it attaches signage plans. This is inadmissible at this stage. Evidence belongs in a witness statement under CPR 32.4.

Their reply to the defence attempts to cure defects in the PoC and reframe the claim by quoting Beavis, referencing the PPSCoP and asserting contractual formation. These are not rebuttals -  they are new arguments.

At this stage, you don't need to do anything in response to the claimant’s reply to the defence. The reply is not evidence and does not change the course of the case. It’s just a pleading, and you are not allowed to file a further statement of case without the court’s permission.

However, you should be aware that the reply is procedurally defective in several ways. It improperly includes factual claims and attachments (like signage and ANPR data) that should be in a witness statement, not a reply. It also tries to fix the original claim’s lack of detail by adding new arguments and quoting case law, which is not allowed at this stage. If the claimant wanted to expand their case, they should have applied to amend their PoC.

The reply also wrongly claims that you must file an N244 to correct the tick box error on the acknowledgment of service. That’s incorrect—the defence clearly states the claim is defended in full, and the court can treat the tick box as a clerical error under CPR 3.10.

You now need to wait for the court to issue directions, which will include a deadline for witness statements. When that time comes, you can raise objections to the reply—for example, by pointing out that it contains evidence and new arguments that should be disregarded. Until then, you should not file anything further unless ordered to do so.

When the time comes for submitting witness statements, you will be able to include something along these lines in your WS that highlights to the judge that the claimant is trying to teach them how to "suck eggs":

Quote
The Claimant’s reply includes commentary on how the court process should be conducted, including instructions on how the Defendant should amend their defence and how the court should manage further filings. I respectfully submit that such commentary is unnecessary and risks undermining the court’s role in managing its own procedure.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 07, 2025, 07:03:10 pm
Pt. 3

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Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on July 07, 2025, 07:02:13 pm
I have asked the moderator to merge this with your existing thread.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 07, 2025, 07:02:05 pm
Pt. 2

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Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on July 07, 2025, 06:59:51 pm
I stuck to my guns in the end, and have recently received a thick envelope of threatening legal paperwork.  They repeated the offer to forget the whole thing if I pay £100 now though, which is quite amusing and vaguely tempting.  And perhaps a sign of lack of confidence?  Who knows.  Either way, this is the response to my defence so kindly provided by @b789 



[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on April 17, 2025, 09:25:33 am
How strongly do you believe that you've been wronged by ParkingEye? Do you believe that you have been unfairly charged for something you were not aware you were liable for? Do you understand your rights?

Of course there is a chance that you won't be successful but you have a greater than 50% chance of winning this. How much do you stand to lose if unsuccessful? About £210. This is the small claims court. Unless you were to behave unreasonably such as not turning up for the hearing, should it ever get that far, then that would be considered as unreasonable.

There is no risk of a CCJ or any damage to your credit record, even if you were to be unsuccessful. You could only get a CCJ on your record if the judge says you owe the money and you didn't pay it within 30 days of the judgment.

Do not fear the court process. I tis the ultimate dispute resolution service and should not be feared. If it ever got as far as a hearing, here is a short video that explains what happens:

Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on April 16, 2025, 09:47:40 pm
I'm sorry if I've come across as needy, ungrateful, or have otherwise caused offence.  I only ask because I'm so far out of my depth I truly have no idea which is the better option.  I'm not completely risk-averse, but I have absolutely no idea how much of a risk it would be to keep fighting rather than pay.

I have literally no clue of how likely I am to actually be taken to court, and if that happened, absolutely no clue of how likely i would be to to win, or lose and then have to pay many hundreds of pounds.  If I had the vaguest inclin of the probabilities I would weigh them up and make a decision.

I have no concept of what would happen inside a courtroom, if I would basically be a spectator, if I would have to speak, defend myself, if I'd pay a solicitor, or have one provided, I really can't exaggerate how little idea I have of what to expect.

This is the only reason I would consider paying them the £70.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on April 15, 2025, 11:25:33 am
You've been given advice. A claim has been issued. You've defended. You have to decide what you want to do.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: jfollows on April 15, 2025, 11:09:53 am
I would stick to my guns, because all their tactics are designed to intimidate you with vague threats into paying. Understand that their business model is entirely based on collecting money from people who break their rules. But it’s your money and if you think that £70 is worth it to avoid ear ache from your partner, that’s your choice. But why did you come here in the first place if so?
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on April 15, 2025, 10:29:45 am
When I wrote this post I also wrote to the health centre, explaining the situation and pleading for help.  I've just received the following:

"Our Facilities Manager has had a response as follows from Parking Eye. We will notify them that you will accept this charge, as it cannot be completely cancelled, and this is the best they will offer you:

I can offer a reduced charge on this case of £70. Due to the charge being out standing for so long I can not cancel this charge."

What would you do?  My partner desperately wants me to just pay 70 for simplicity so we can just move on from this.  I understand where she's coming from, but from a position of legal ignorance. 
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on April 09, 2025, 02:21:23 pm
Thank you so much for all this, I am incredibly grateful. 
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on April 09, 2025, 11:51:47 am
1. As long as your client would be prepared to sign a statement that you were there for the stated purpose, that is enough. No need to change it otherwise.

2. The term is "loading and/or unloading" so it really doesn't matter.

3. They cannot use CCTV to try and evidence that. Don't overthink this.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on April 09, 2025, 08:37:01 am
Thank you so, so much for this.  I just have a couple of questions:

1) "The Defendant will provide evidence that the vehicle was not parked in the conventional sense but was briefly present in connection with loading and unloading goods from a neighbouring premises"

I don't have any hard evidence, only mine and my client's word, is that ok?

I was also there for 30 or 40 minutes in total - the client was late due to delivering important medication to his partner elsewhere in the city - should I change/delete the word "briefly?"

2) "a motorist engaged in a short-term, attended delivery in an otherwise empty car park while the site was closed."

I was not delivering anything, but collecting, should I change that?

3) "The driver remained with the vehicle throughout"

I think did leave the van on a couple of occasions, for perhaps two or three minutes, to help move furniture my client otherwise wouldn't have been able to.  Should I adjust the wording at all?  I'm doing all this from memory and I really don't want them to get the CCTV footage out and make me out a liar from some minor detail.

Thanks again. 



Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on April 04, 2025, 03:00:04 pm
OK, so assuming your AoS isn received before 4pm on Monday 7th April, you now have until 4pm on Tuesday 22nd April to submit a defence.

Quote
Here is the suggested defence. You only need to edit your name and the claim number. You sign the defence by typing your full name for the signature and date it.

When you're ready you send it as a PDF as an attachment in an email to claimresponses.cnbc@justice.gov.uk and CC in yourself. The claim number must be in the email subject field and in the body of the email just put: "Please find attached the defence in the matter of ParkingEye Ltd v [your full name] Claim no.: [claim number]."

Quote
IN THE COUNTY COURT
Claim No: [Claim Number]

BETWEEN:

ParkingEye Ltd

Claimant

- and -

[Defendant's Full Name]


Defendant



DEFENCE

1. The Defendant is the registered keeper and was the driver of the vehicle in question. The Defendant denies liability for the entirety of the claim and puts the Claimant to strict proof.

2. The Defendant confirms that the selection of “I intend to defend part of this claim” on the Acknowledgement of Service was made in error. The Defendant defends the claim in full.

3. The Particulars of Claim (PoC) fail to comply with Civil Procedure Rule (CPR) 16.4 and Practice Direction 16 paragraph 7.5. The PoC are vague, incoherent, and lack the necessary detail required to adequately understand the case being brought. In particular:

(a) No copy of the alleged contract or signage is annexed;

(b) The terms said to have been breached are not stated;

(c) The conduct giving rise to the alleged breach is unclear;

(d) There is no specification of the exact duration of the alleged contravention;

(e) There is no explanation for the additional £25 added to the £100 parking charge;

(f) The PoC fail to state whether the Defendant is pursued as the driver or under keeper liability provisions.

4. The claim is therefore embarrassing as pleaded and discloses no reasonable cause of action. The Defendant reserves the right to seek an order under CPR 3.4 to strike out the claim.

5. It is denied that any contract was formed. The Defendant will provide evidence that the vehicle was not parked in the conventional sense but was briefly present in connection with loading and unloading goods from a neighbouring premises. The driver remained with the vehicle throughout and was willing and able to move it at any time.

6. These facts are analogous to those considered in Jopson v Homeguard Services Ltd [2016] B9GF0A9E, in which HHJ Glen confirmed that a temporary presence for the purpose of loading/unloading is not “parking” in the ordinary sense and does not fall within the scope of prohibitive parking terms unless expressly and prominently stated.

7. The signage relied upon is not admitted and is put to strict proof. It is the Defendant’s position that the terms were not clearly or prominently displayed, nor were they capable of forming a binding contractual agreement with a motorist engaged in a short-term, attended delivery in an otherwise empty car park while the site was closed.

8. The amount claimed exceeds the sum specified on the signage and in any Notice to Keeper (NtK). The Claimant seeks £125 when the signage and NtK referred only to a charge of £100. Pursuant to Paragraph 4(5) of Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the maximum sum recoverable from a registered keeper is the amount stated in the NtK. Any claim for an additional £25 renders the notice non-compliant and invalid for the purposes of establishing keeper liability under PoFA. The Defendant puts the Claimant to strict proof of the legal basis for this additional charge, which appears to be an unrecoverable and unlawful surcharge, contrary to both statute and the principles established in ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67.

9. The Defendant avers that this claim is speculative and improperly inflated. It is a standard form, mass-issued claim lacking in case-specific detail, issued many months after the alleged event and with no explanation for the delay. The Defendant has suffered significant personal distress during this period and views the Claimant’s conduct as aggressive and oppressive.

10. The Defendant respectfully invites the Court to strike out or dismiss the claim in its entirety.

Statement of truth

I believe that the facts stated in this Defence are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.

Signed:


Date:
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on April 04, 2025, 01:38:55 pm
Actually, I just found this in a document on my computer, I have no idea at what stage this was written, or if it was even sent, but I believe it's very similar to the initial appeal. 

"Dear Sir/Madam,
I repeat that this is an unjust fine.  I wasn’t even “parked:” I was either waiting inside the van, or loading the van, for the duration of my time in the car park.  Mine was the only vehicle in the Health Centre car park.  It was a Saturday afternoon, the Health Centre was not to open until Monday.  I was always available to move the van at a moment’s notice, had someone turned up and wanted to use that parking space.  I used that parking spot rather than block the entrance to the Old England pub, which was actually open at the time.  I inconvenienced absolutely no one and believe my actions were entirely reasonable.  I am confident that an objective third party would agree with me.
Yours faithfully,
XYZ"


I like to think I'm a little wiser now.

Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on April 04, 2025, 01:35:09 pm
The sequence of events from memory, and I have no clue where the original paperwork is as I have since moved house and had a general chaotic time.

I appealed the initial fine, which was rejected.  At some point later in the summer I think I received a "letter before county court claim," or of very similar wording.  I don't remember responding to this.  I believe that's all the correspondence I had before the letter I just posted.

In my appeal, I was extremely naïve, and based my argument on what I consider to be reasonable and rational, rather than anything legal.  I explained the purpose of the visit, that the van wasn't left unattended, that the car park was empty and health centre closed all weekend, etc. 

Re: the driver, that was me, and I admitted this in the appeal.

Sorry I can't be more specific.  I think it's safe to assume I did everything wrong until I sought advice on here.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on April 02, 2025, 11:14:48 am
OK. It shouldn't make much difference as it can be included in the defence that the wrong option was selected. Hopefully you did not put anything whatsoever in the defence box on the MCOL webform. Even a single comma would be the sum total of your defence.

Without identifying the driver as you are under no legal obligation to do so, you also said "the driver drove my van..." thus implying that you were definitely not the driver. If that is the case, you need to be very clear on that point. As the Keeper, if you were definitely not the driver, clearly state so.

Before the defence is suggested, what pre action correspondence did you receive and what did you respond to? We need to know exactly what you have admitted, knowingly or inadvertently.

As long as an AoS has been submitted you now have until 4pm on Monday 21st April to submit your defence. So, plenty of time to prepare your defence. We just need the questions answered.

Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on April 02, 2025, 09:08:45 am
I haven't made my defence yet.  I filled out an "acknowledgment of service" form but ticked "I intend to defend part of this claim."

I was extremely stressed about it and was willing to pay the original £60 just to get them to leave me alone, and my partner convinced me to tick that box instead of "defend all of this claim".  I assume this cannot be changed.
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on March 31, 2025, 02:11:05 pm
But you said you have already responded to the claim:

Quote
I (perhaps unwisely) admitted part of the claim in my response.  I hope this shows I am not unreasonable or stubborn.  I would pay the original fine of £60 at this point simply to alleviate to the stress and anxiety this is causing me.  I recently discovered my brother's corpse after his suicide and have been experiencing PTSD symptoms.  I just want this to go away, but I am also so outraged I refuse to simply roll over and hand over such a sum.

What EXACTLY did you put in as your defence?
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on March 31, 2025, 10:14:51 am
Thank you all, here is the letter. 

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: G6PRK on March 28, 2025, 06:41:52 pm
99% of people on r/legaladvice are morons - I wouldn't worry what they have to say. b789 and others here are the most informed the internet has to offer and will offer you the best advice if you post the required docs/info. Will be useful to know what you've admitted to.

P.S. I'm sorry for your personal loss - I can't imagine how difficult that must be.

Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: b789 on March 28, 2025, 04:19:41 pm
Without seeing the correspondence, it is impossible to provide the advice you need.

READ THIS FIRST - Private Parking Charges Forum guide (https://www.ftla.uk/private-parking-tickets/read-this-first-private-parking-charges-forum-guide/)

A court claim is a good thing as it is the ultimate dispute resolution service. Don't fear it. If you can, get sone photos of the location including any signs. Close ups of any signs and general views of the location. If any signs are covered in graffiti get pictures too.

Also, has the claim been issued by ParkingEye themselves or DCB Legal?
Title: Re: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: RichardW on March 28, 2025, 11:53:29 am
Please post the documents you have received.  The court form is not a demand, but notification that a claim has been lodged - unless you've missed the boat and a default judgement has now been made.
Title: Going to court: ParkingEye - Parking without authorisation - threads merged
Post by: gingernut on March 28, 2025, 10:31:53 am
Last April the driver was doing a removals job in my van, at a pub. The pub's front door opens immediately onto a health centre car park operated by ParkingEye. Rather than block the pub entrance, the driver drove my van into the nearest space, still very close to the front of the pub, which was a disabled bay. He waited in the van for the client, who was (unbeknownst to the driver) delivering essential medication to his partner in another part of the city. He arrived perhaps 20 minutes later, they loaded the van, and left.  The driver was there for around 40 minutes total. 

The driver was either inside the van, or very close to it, the entire time. He was ready to move it at any given moment. The car park was empty, and the health centre wasn't going to open for another 40 hours or so. I believe the driver acted reasonably and the threats being made are cruel and unfair.

ParkingEye rejected the appeal, and the opportunity to appeal to POPLA was missed. I haven't heard anything from them for so many months I assumed they had dropped it. Then, nearly a year later, I received a "Claim Form" from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, demanding £210.

I (perhaps unwisely) admitted part of the claim in my response.  I hope this shows I am not unreasonable or stubborn.  I would pay the original fine of £60 at this point simply to alleviate to the stress and anxiety this is causing me.  I recently discovered my brother's corpse after his suicide and have been experiencing PTSD symptoms.  I just want this to go away, but I am also so outraged I refuse to simply roll over and hand over such a sum.

The driver truly didn't know he was entering a legal contract at the time.  The health centre was closed.  The area is covered in graffiti and signs may well have been too.  I assume there is some sort of access right to the pub for deliveries etc. but I'm awaiting news on this.

Nearly everyone on r/LegalAdvice told me I have no chance and will only end up paying more.  I am willing to risk this, but I need to know the best way of going about it.

Any advice whatsoever appreciated.  Thank you.