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Hi b789,
The help you gave me here is greatly appreciated-I can't thank you enough!
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They will discontinue just before the 4 week deadline before the hearing date when they have to pay the £27 trial fee. You will not know the hearing date until the claim is transferred to your local county court and a procedural judge issues directions and allocation. Depending on which county court, it could be many, many months away.
However, you should now follow up with three quick moves:
1. Email the CNBC case team so there’s a court record and a judge can act.
2. Send a final chaser to DCB Legal.
3. If still nothing in 7 days, be ready to file N244 for strike-out + costs.
Use these, copy-paste as is.
Subject: Claim [<claim no.>] – Mediation concluded 07/11/2025 – Claimant refuses to discontinue despite PCN cancellation – Request court action under CPR 3.3/3.4
To: CaseProgression.CNBC@justice.gov.uk
CC: info@dcblegal.co.uk
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write regarding Claim [<claim no.>], [Claimant] v [Defendant].
• The underlying PCN was cancelled on 01/10/2025 by the claimant (email attached).
• At mediation on 07/11/2025, the mediator relayed that the claimant is not looking to continue. DCB Legal nevertheless refused to file a Notice of Discontinuance (N279) and instead sought a “drop-hands” settlement.
• I emailed DCB Legal and the CNBC on 10/11/2025 enclosing the cancellation and inviting discontinuance and £114 costs for unreasonable conduct. No discontinuance has been filed and no order has been received.
Given the claim is now moot and discloses no reasonable grounds, I respectfully invite the Court, under CPR 3.3(1) and CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b), to strike out the claim of its own initiative and determine my £114 costs under CPR 27.14(2)(g) on the papers. Alternatively, please list a short telephone directions hearing.
Attachments:
1. PCN cancellation email (01/10/2025)
2. My emails dated 10/11/2025 to DCB Legal/CNBC
3. Costs schedule (£114)
Yours faithfully,
[Full name]
[Address]
[Email]
Defendant
Subject: Claim [<claim no.>] – Final notice: file N279 today or I will apply for strike-out and costs
To: info@dcblegal.co.uk
Dear Sirs,
Further to mediation on 07/11/2025 and my email of 10/11/2025, your client cancelled the PCN on 01/10/2025 (attached). There is no live cause of action. Your refusal to file N279 and attempt to secure “drop-hands” is unreasonable conduct.
Unless you confirm by 4:00pm, seven days from today that N279 has been filed and served, I will issue an N244 seeking strike-out under CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b) and my costs under CPR 27.14(2)(g), including the application fee. My costs claimed to date remain £114.00 (schedule attached).
Please treat this as open correspondence.
Yours faithfully,
[Full name]
[Address]
[Email]
Defendant
Attachments:
1. PCN cancellation email (01/10/2025)
2. Costs schedule (£114)
If there’s still silence after 7 days, file N244. I can draft the N244 wording (grounds + witness statement) when you’re ready.
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Hi,
Please can you help me with the next step? I sent emails to the court and DCB legal following my mediation appointment on the 7th November. The emails were sent on the 10th of November, as advised above. (just over 3 weeks ago). I received no response, other than an automated response.
I’ve received no Notice of Strike Out, no Order, and no Discontinuance notice. Shall I wait to hear from the court, or send them another email?
DCB Legal ignored my deadline of 12th November. Your advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
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b 789, thank you for the email address and all your kind help & advice, always!
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If you email after 4pm, it won’t be read until the next working day.
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Thank you!
I have the name of the litigation person (if that helps). I just sent an email to the court.
Re: litigation support: I will follow up with the complaint to SRA on Monday
Is there anything else I should prepare for/do?
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The email address for the CNBC in this matter is: CaseProgression.CNBC@justice.gov.uk
You are reporting Gladstones to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Use the detail I have given you to file a complaint about their refusal to comply with the PAPDC.
https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/
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''I’m sorry, it that just does not make any sense. Are you saying that DCB Legal have already told you that they do not intend to continue with the claim? If so, they are obliged to serve a Notice of Discontinuance N279 on the court and you.''
When the mediator called , she said she had spoken with the claimant already and said the claimant is not looking to continue the claim, so there is no need for mediation. DCB Legal wanted ''to settle'' the case; they didn't want to file N279. They wanted to get a settlement agreement based on 'drop hands'. They would withdraw the claim, and each party would bear their own costs.I declined the settlement.I asked if they are an authorised person, she confirmed : they are an authorised person. I then asked the mediator to go back to the claimant and confirm what position they hold . She came back stating: 'Litigation Support Officer.''
I sent an email to DCB legal and copied the SCMS and myself, but didn't copy the court, as I don't have the correct email address..The email I found online for the court bounced back. What is the correct address for the court, please?
''Begin your SRA report over the weekend while everything is fresh, citing''-what is SRA report?
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I’m sorry, it that just does not make any sense. Are you saying that DCB Legal have already told you that they do not intend to continue with the claim? If so, they are obliged to serve a Notice of Discontinuance N279 on the court and you.
Unless they have done that, the claim must still be considered as “live”.
You should follow up immediately with both DCB Legal and the court (copied to the Small Claims Mediation Service), and you should do so today.
Your goals are:
1. To create a written record of the mediation outcome and your position.
2. To push the court to exercise its power under CPR 3.3/3.4 to strike out the claim.
3. To lock DCB Legal into a corner where failure to discontinue clearly constitutes unreasonable conduct.
Send the following email to DCB Legal at info@dcblegal.co.uk and CC the court, the SCMS and yourself:
Subject: Claim [<claim no.>] – Mediation concluded – Claimant refuses to discontinue – Costs and strike-out
Dear Sirs,
Following today’s Small Claims Mediation appointment, I note as follows:
The mediator confirmed that the claimant is not looking to continue the claim.
Despite this, your authorised representative, described only as a “Litigation Support Officer”, refused to file or confirm a Notice of Discontinuance (N279).
You instead sought a “drop hands” settlement, which I declined, as there is nothing to settle. The PCN was cancelled on 1 October 2025, extinguishing any cause of action.
I have already provided written evidence of the cancellation, to which you have never responded.
It is wholly improper to continue litigation once the cause of action has been extinguished. Your refusal to discontinue, coupled with use of a Litigation Support Officer to conduct the mediation and make representations, raises serious regulatory concerns. The conduct of litigation is a reserved legal activity under s.12 and Sch.2, para.4 of the Legal Services Act 2007, and only authorised or exempt individuals may undertake it.
Your behaviour amounts to unreasonable conduct within the meaning of CPR 27.14(2)(g). Unless I receive written confirmation by 4:00pm Wednesday 12th November 2025 that an N279 has been filed and my £114 costs paid within 14 days, I will:
1. Invite the court to strike out the claim under CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b) and to assess costs; and
2. File a formal report to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regarding both the unauthorised conduct of litigation and your continued pursuit of a cancelled claim.
Please treat this as open correspondence and respond accordingly.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
Defendant
Attachments:
PCN cancellation email (01/10/2025)
Costs schedule (£114.00)
Send the following to the court and CC DCB Legal, the SCMS and yourself:
Subject: Claim [<claim no.>] – Mediation outcome – Claimant not continuing but refusing discontinuance – Request for court action under CPR 3.3/3.4
Dear Sir/Madam,
Following today’s Small Claims Mediation Service appointment, the mediator confirmed that the claimant does not intend to continue this claim, but their representative refused to file a Notice of Discontinuance (N279). The underlying PCN was cancelled by the claimant on 1 October 2025, leaving no live cause of action.
I therefore respectfully invite the Court, under CPR 3.3(1) and CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b), to consider striking out the claim of its own initiative as disclosing no reasonable grounds and being an abuse of process.
The defendant’s costs of £114 are enclosed for the court’s consideration under CPR 27.14(2)(g) (unreasonable conduct).
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Defendant
Attachments:
Cancellation email (01/10/2025)
Costs schedule (£114)
Mediation summary (brief note confirming refusal to discontinue)
Send both emails today.
If no N279 is filed by Wednesday 4pm, prepare an N244 for strike-out and costs.
Begin your SRA report over the weekend while everything is fresh, citing:
• Continuing a claim with no cause of action;
• Misleading the court and opposing party by failing to disclose cancellation;
• Use of unauthorised staff (“Litigation Support Officer”) to conduct litigation.
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Hi,
The mediator said that the claimant is not looking to continue this claim, so there is no need for mediation. DCB Legal wanted only to settle the case; they didn't want to file N279. DCB Legal's authorised person didn't confirm any discontinuance- they wanted to get a settlement agreement based on 'drop hands'. They would withdraw the claim, and each party would bear their own costs.
I said I have nothing to settle, as the claimant already cancelled the charge, and I informed DCB legal of this in writing, with no response from them.
The mediator refused to confirm or record what I asked; they said they would only put on record that no settlement was reached.
When I asked what position the authorised person at DCB legal held-I was told he was ''Litigation Support Officer.'' The mediator said that any recordings of the phone call I won't be able to use in court. Should I follow up with an email to DCB legal and the court now?
I'd be grateful for your advice.
Cancellation noted: N
Authorised status: Y ('Litigation Support officer)
Discontinuance confirmed/time given: N
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Thank you, b789-I'll report back after my mediation call. Thank you for everything!
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This is the advice for the mediation call:
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.
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I contacted the court this morning and they confirmed that they didn't receive a filed Notice Of Discontinuance from DCB legal, despite me sending them 2 emails (on the 6/10 & 20/10/25) requesting it, due to the claimant cancelling the charge on the 1/10/25.
So I'll have to attend the mediation call on the 7th of November.
b789, regarding the mediation call- you have shared above the outline,is there anything else I need to know/do?
Shouldn't I also ask for the name of the 'authorised person'?
Thank you!
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Thank you, will contact the court.
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You will have been sent:
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."
At the very least, you can contact the court with a copy of the email you refer to above to get this cancelled.
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Hi,
I sent the email to DCB legal, as you advised yesterday morning; however, no response has been received from them other than an automated acknowledgement. I will be away from Saturday, 25th October -6th November. I will have no proper access to the internet.
On the 7th November, I have a mediation call scheduled; have sent 2 emails to DCb legal (06/10 & 20/10 )regarding the cancellation of the charge-but no response.
I have to be at work on the 7/11-so won't be able to answer the mediation call.
Do I need to attend a mediation? If so, what do I do...?
or, shall I contact the court and reschedule the mediation call?
What shall I do next?
Please advise, thank you!
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Hi,
b789, thank you so much for the above!
Shame I only just saw your message, but I will schedule it now for Monday morning to be sent to them. I'll come back to let you know if I receive a response from them. I also have some positive news-Sainsbury's cancelled the penalty charge from 3 years ago (so definitely worth writing to), for which I received a 'Final Reminder 'out of the blue for £ 465, being claimed by DCBL bailiffs (not DCB legal). So I hope that DCBL will send no more letters my way.
As for the DCB legal, I'll come back to report on Monday. Always appreciate and very grateful for your help!
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You need to be firm with the incompetents at DCB Legal. Just today I had a success with another case (not on FTLA) where I advised the defendant to apply for a Summary Judgment (before allocation, no limit to costs) which has been granted. Yes, it would cost you £313 to apply but that will be awarded back plus the costs of £750.
I advise you to respond to DCB Legal with the following to info@dcblegal.co.uk and CC yourself:
Subject: Claim [claim number] — Immediate Notice of Discontinuance required
Dear Sirs,
On 06/10/25 I notified you that the claimant had cancelled the underlying parking charge and requested that you file a Notice of Discontinuance (Form N279). I hold the claimant’s written confirmation of cancellation. You have not confirmed filing, nor have you responded beyond an automated acknowledgement.
You are hereby given until 4pm on Monday 20th October to confirm that the N279 has been filed and served. Failing that, I will apply for:
• Strike-out under CPR 3.4(2)(a)–(b) on the grounds that the claim discloses no reasonable cause of action and continuing it is an abuse of process; and
• Summary judgment under CPR 24.2 (there being no real prospect of success), with costs under PD 45 Table 1(c) (£750 fixed) plus the £313 court fee and any further disbursements.
If the N279 is filed late or at the door of allocation, I will rely on this correspondence in seeking costs for unreasonable conduct under CPR 27.14(2)(g) and CPR 38.6.
Please treat this as an open communication and ensure your supervising solicitor is aware.
Yours faithfully,
[Defendant’s full name]
[Address]
This is the order that was successful following another claim by DCB Legal where there was clear evidence that the vehicle did not and had never belonged to the defendant, even after they were notified. (The claimant had misread the letter F for the letter P in their ANPR and refused to budge even though they had instructed their debt recovery firm that they had withdrawn the PCN.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z45bxbFh/Judgment-copy1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5yjDVPq4/Judgment-copy2.jpg)
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Hi
I sent an email to DCB Legal on 06/10/25 to inform them that the claimant had cancelled my parking charge and asked them to issue a N279 Notice of Discontinuance. To this date, I haven't received any reply from them, other than an automated acknowledgement email. Do I need to chase them...or? (Or shall I contact the court? )Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! (My mediation call is scheduled for 7/11/25.)
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hi b789,
OK, will do. Thank you again for all your help!
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Just wait for the N279 Notice of Discontinuance (NoD). When you receive it, please show it and do not redact the signature on it.
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Hi,
Thank you so much for the above. I made a mistake. I just realised that the mediation call is scheduled for 7/11/25 (not 7/10/25). Do I send another email to DCb legal, with the correct date ? Or do I wait for their response first? I only received an automatic response to the email I sent to them today:
----------------------------------
''Please note that we will aim to respond to your correspondence where required as soon as possible. In the meantime, should you be contacting in relation to a Parking Charge, you can find some Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) on our website www.dcblegal.co.uk
Should you wish to make a payment, you can do this by calling 0330 1744 172, visiting https://dcblegal.co.uk/response/pay-online/ or by bank transfer to the below bank details. Please ensure your DCB legal reference number is quoted with any payments made.''
------------------------------------------------------
I really appreciate sharing this with me and am always grateful for your help.
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Have you received any response from DCB Legal to the email you sent?
Don't worry about the mediation call. It is not part of the judicial process. However, I suggest you take the call and ask the following points:
When the mediator calls
“For the record: the claimant has already cancelled the charge. I have this in writing. Please note that on the mediation record. Now, before we proceed, confirm from the claimant’s side:
1) Is the person you’re speaking to an authorised person (or exempt under supervision) with personal authority to discontinue today?
2) Will they confirm now that the claim is discontinued and state when the N279 will be filed and served?
Please relay their answers and record them.”
If authority + discontinuance confirmed
“Thank you. My position is £0. Please record that discontinuance is confirmed by an authorised person, and the N279 filing/serving time given. That concludes the mediation.”
If “charge cancelled” but no authority/no discontinuance
“Please record: claimant says the charge is cancelled, but no authorised person has confirmed discontinuance and no N279 details have been provided. My position is £0. Mediation cannot progress. I invite immediate discontinuance and will rely on this on costs (CPR 27.14(2)(g)).”
If mediator refuses to confirm/record
“Please record that I have written proof the charge is cancelled, that I asked for authorised status and N279 details, and that this was refused. My position is £0. I will rely on this on costs.”
What to report back
“Cancellation noted Y/N; authorised status Y/N; discontinuance confirmed Y/N; N279 time given Y/N; refusal recorded Y/N.”
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Thank you, b789-yes, it's DCB Legal LTD.
I only received an automated email response and nothing specific from them. I just got the notice about mediation today — I thought they would give me at least a few days’ notice. Should I just ignore the call? (I just noticed that you are away from the 8/10/25-is there anything else I need to do?
Thank you for your help!
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I hope you mean DCB Legal and not DCBL!
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Hi,
Thank you so much for your time, help, and advice!!-I sent an email with the attachment as you advised. I received a standard acknowledgement 'automatic email response' from DCBL. Do I need to do anything else?
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Lovely... you have them over a barrel here. You must immediately send the following email to info@dcblegal.co.uk and CC yourself:
Subject: OPEN CORRESPONDENCE – Claim [claim no.] – PCN cancelled 01/10/2025 – Immediate N279, vacation of mediation, and £114 costs
Dear Sirs,
Claim [claim no.] – [Claimant] v [Defendant]
Your client cancelled the underlying PCN on 1 October 2025 (copy attached). There is no live cause of action. The claim must be discontinued today.
Required by 4:00pm today, 6 October 2025:
1. File and serve N279 (Notice of Discontinuance).
2. Notify the Small Claims Mediation Service and the Court that mediation is vacated as the claim is extinguished.
3. Confirm payment of my costs for your unreasonable continuation post-cancellation, totalling £114.00, within 14 days.
Costs schedule:Basis: CPR 27.14(2)(g); Litigant-in-person rate £19/hour
• Time spent post-cancellation identifying mootness and reviewing pleadings: 1.5h — £28.50
• Drafting and sending pre-4pm discontinuance demand (with evidence): 1.0h — £19.00
• Preparing brief mediation position (discontinuance + costs only): 1.0h — £19.00
• Preparing court/SCMS notice re strike-out invitation (CPR 3.3/3.4) and bundling exhibits: 2.0h — £38.00
• Admin (file management, printing, scanning): 0.5h — £9.50
Total: £114.00
For the avoidance of doubt, I will not be attending mediation to discuss any payment to your client scheduled for tomorrow 6 October 2025. I expect your firm to deal with the SCMS.
The only outstanding issue is your discontinuance and my costs. If you fail to comply by 4:00pm, I will invite the Court to act under CPR 3.3/3.4 and will pursue costs under CPR 27.14(2)(g), including any application fee if forced to issue an N244.
Separately, your use of an unauthorised individual to conduct litigation (including signing the N1SDT Claim Form under a Statement of Truth) is noted. Supervision does not confer entitlement. I will be reporting this to the SRA, together with your failure to discontinue after the PCN was cancelled.
Please confirm compliance today.
Yours faithfully,
[Name]
[Address]
[Email]
Defendant
Attachments:
PCN cancellation email dated 01/10/2025 (with headers)
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Hi again,
I received an email for the mediation call for tomorrow morning. Please can you advise what to do? I also want to add that the mediation call is for the Fetlham charge, which has now been cancelled by the original issuer, after I contacted them. The charge was cancelled on 1/10/25 via email confirmation here :
''I’m writing to confirm that the Parking Charge Notice (PCN) relating to your vehicle xxxxxxx has been cancelled on this occasion.
Please note that this has been cancelled as a gesture of goodwill. However, we kindly remind you to always check the signage at the car park carefully before parking and not to assume that parking is free, as future PCNs may not be cancelled.''
So, technically, I have no case to answer? I have an email confirming this.
My questions are:
1. I have a mediation call scheduled tomorrow. How do I need to prepare?
2 Do I need to attend the mediation call at all-and tell them that the charge was cancelled?
3. Do I need to contact the CNBC and tell them that the PCN was cancelled?
I'd be grateful for your advice. Thank you!
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Hi,
Your help is greatly appreciated, and I am grateful for your time and the advice you give!! It means a lot.
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Of course we will assist. As for a "hearing", I will eat my hat if this ever gets as far as a hearing. The most likely outcome is a strike out or a discontinuation.
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Hi B789,
Thank you so much for your response.
If they try to pursue the previous (old) charges, will you help me draft the response for the courts?
And, concerning the original parking charge- how do I prepare for a hearing?
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You can try and ask the store manager to get their agent to cancel the other PCNs.
In this case the claimant is splitting the claim. These other PCNs all relate to the same site, the same terms, and the same alleged breach pattern. They could and should have been brought together. Issuing serial claims is wasteful and oppressive and amounts to an abuse of process. If the try and issue another separate claim for those PCNs, I would ask the court to strike out or stay the subsequent claim(s), or at least to consolidate them and consider costs consequences.
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Hi b789,
Thank you so much for always coming to my rescue!!
'You can safely ignore any debt collector letter, and it can be safely shredded and used as hamster bedding.'-you made me really laugh here, with these letters I might consider a hamster..:-)
''For information, are any of those outstanding PCNs for the same vehicle at the same location?'' Yes, the letter I received today, 'Final reminder', is all for the same location, parking (overstaying)in the local supermarket, 3 charges for the following dates:
12/6/23;
27/6/23;
22/05/24
Do you think I could try to speak to the store manager,to see if these could be cancelled, even though I don't have the parking charge notices,as I've thrown them away a long time ago?
Did you manage to view it via the link I shared in my previous post?
Thank you
B.
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No need to panic. That letter is a useless debt recovery letter. Debt collectors are powerless to do anything except to try and intimidate the low-hanging fruit on the gullible tree into paying up out of ignorance and fear. You can safely ignore any debt collector letter and it can be safely shredded and used as hamster bedding.
Until you receive a Letter of Claim (LoC) from the claimant or their legal representative (DCB Legal for example) then there is nothing for you to do. DCBL are powerless to do anything. They are a third party with no connection to the contract allegedly breached by the driver.
For information, are any of those outstanding PCNs for the same vehicle at the same location? There is a good defence of estoppel if they are.
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Hi b789, Thank you so much for your response! I submitted my Directions Questionnaire (DQ) to the court by email, copying in DCB Legal and myself. My DQ only relates to the most recent parking charge of £176, which they are pursuing.
However, I now seem to have a new problem. Out of the blue, I received a “FINAL REMINDER” from DCB Legal for multiple unpaid private parking charges from 2023 (3 in total), amounting to £465. I have no evidence or paperwork for these—just this sudden demand for payment. Even if I had received something years ago, I would have forgotten about it by now.
It feels like, because the latest claim (£176) may be too small for them to push in court, they’ve gone digging into my past and are now trying to add these older charges. If combined, the total would jump to £633.
My question is:
Can they suddenly add these old charges to the current case, even though I only completed the DQ for the £176 claim? Please can you help? (I don't know how to attach a picture of the most recent demand letter.)
Any guidance would be really appreciated. Thank you! https://imgur.com/a/qSJeAGM(https://imgur.com/a/qSJeAGM)
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You do not communicate with the claimant directly if they are represented. In this case, you only need copy in DCB Legal.
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Hi again,
I have now received my Directions questionnaire from the CNBC. I have downloaded the N180 and filled it as advised by b789.
I'm not sure whether to email it back to DCB legal, who acts on behalf of Parmaven Limited, or Parkmaven or both? Claimant on the form is Parmaven Limited. It says to return the form by 23/09/25 to CNBC and serve copies on all other parties. I have everything ready to go.
Please can you help me clarify this?
Thank you all in advance!
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Unless you want to use the form they send you, complete it, sign it, photocopy it, put them in separate envelopes addressed to both the CNBC and the claimants representative, purchase stamps for them, ideally take them to a post office and obtain free proof of posting certificates, then yes, just do as advised in a single email from the comfort of wherever you use the internet.
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Hi b789,
Thank you ever so much for taking the time to outline this for me so patiently. So, I only use the online form, not the one they would send. I just looked at the form online, so I have an idea of what to expect. I'm very grateful for all your help-many thanks! :-)
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Letter from DCB Legal stating that they have received copy of your defence and their client intends to proceed. Usually with a copy of their N180 Directions Questionnaire (DQ).
You follow the instructions below for submitting your own DQ. You will receive a date for a mandatory telephone mediation. This is not part of the juducial process and no judge is involved. You simply offer £0 and it is over in minutes.
Next the case will be transferred to your local county court and will be allocated to the small claims track and you will receive directions from a judge with the hearing date, witness statement submission deadline and the deadline by which the claimant must pay the £27 trial fee. It is just before that date that they will discontinue if it hasn't been struck out already.
Instructions for submitting your own N180 DQ:
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@dcblegal.co.uk and CC in yourself. Make sure that the claim number is in the subject field of the email.
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There are a plethora of other cases on here involving DCB Legal. I would suggest reading through a sample of them to understand how the cases progress.
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Hi b789,
Thank you so much for your help and guidance regarding my defence!! I followed everything as you said, and merged the documents into 1 PDF as you suggested. Fingers crossed that all will be ok, and that this will be dropped. Can I please ask what to expect after submitting my defence? What happens next?
Thank you for taking the time to respond-it means so much!
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No need to drive anywhere. The odds of this ever reaching hearing stage are less than 1%. Just follow the advice here and you won't be paying a penny.
With an issue date of 17th June, you have until 4pm on Monday 7th July to submit your defence. As you have submitted an Acknowledgement of Service (AoS) you now have until 4pm on Monday 21st July to submit your defence. The deadline date will never be on a weekend or bank holiday and is therefore 4pm the next working day.
Here is the defence and link to the draft order that goes with it. 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. There is nothing to edit in the draft order.
When you're ready you combine both documents as a single PDF attachment and send 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 and draft order in the matter of Parkmaven Ltd v [your full name] Claim no.: [claim number]."
IN THE COUNTY COURT
Claim No: [Claim Number]
BETWEEN:
Parkmaven Ltd
Claimant
- and -
[Defendant's Full Name]
Defendant
DEFENCE
1. The Defendant denies the claim in its entirety. The Defendant asserts that there is no liability to the Claimant and that no debt is owed. The claim is without merit and does not adequately disclose any comprehensible cause of action.
2. There is a lack of precise detail in the Particulars of Claim (PoC) in respect of the factual and legal allegations made against the Defendant such that the PoC do not comply with CPR 16.4.
3. The Defendant is unable to plead properly to the PoC because:
(a) The contract referred to is not detailed or attached to the PoC in accordance with CPR PD 16.7.3(1);
(b) The PoC do not state the exact wording of the clause (or clauses) of the terms and conditions of the contract (or contracts) which is/are relied on;
(c) The PoC do not adequately set out the reason (or reasons) why the claimant asserts the defendant has breached the contract (or contracts)
(d) The PoC do not state with sufficient particularity exactly where the breach occurred, the exact time when the breach occurred and how long it is alleged that the vehicle was parked before the parking charge was allegedly incurred;
(e) The PoC do not state precisely how the sum claimed is calculated, including the basis for any statutory interest, damages, or other charges;
(f) The PoC do not state what proportion of the claim is the parking charge and what proportion is damages;
(g) The PoC do not provide clarity on whether the Defendant is sued as the driver or the keeper of the vehicle, as the claimant cannot plead alternative causes of action without specificity.
4. The Defendant attaches to this defence a copy of a draft order approved by a district judge at another court. The court struck out the claim of its own initiative after determining that the Particulars of Claim failed to comply with CPR 16.4. The judge noted that the claimant had failed to:
(i) Set out the exact wording of the clause (or clauses) of the terms and conditions relied upon;
(ii) Adequately explain the reasons why the defendant was allegedly in breach of contract;
(iii) Provide separate, detailed Particulars of Claim as permitted under CPR PD 7C.5.2(2).
(iv) The court further observed that, given the modest sum claimed, requiring further case management steps would be disproportionate and contrary to the overriding objective. Accordingly, the judge struck out the claim outright rather than permitting an amendment.
5. The Defendant submits that the same reasoning applies in this case and invites the court to adopt a similar approach by striking out the claim for the Claimant’s failure to comply with CPR 16.4.
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:
Draft Order for the defence (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tcewefk7daozuje25chkl/Strikeout-order-v2.pdf?rlkey=wxnymo8mwcma2jj8xihjm7pdx&st=nbtf0cn6&dl=0)
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Hi all, :)
Firstly, I'd like to thank you all here for such an amazing wealth of information found here! I've read what I could, browsing newbies' threads on Private Penalty Charge Notices here quietly. I would be very grateful if you could help me with my formal defence, I've seen a few here, not sure what to use. Please can you guide me on defence,what to write,what to expect from them, what to do/not to do- newbie here, feisty mum!
Details of CLAIM FORM:
I received a Claim. The date of issue is 17/06/25. I filed and sent 'AOS' via Money Claim Online, with the guide I found here, on 24/06/25.
From reading up on here, I have 17/6/25 +5+28 days to send my formal defence-until 20/7/25- Do I have this right?
I have no information on any of my letters received, as I binned them promptly, have to be honest- this worked as a strategy so far, so I have no original letters, until the last ' claim letter '- which I luckily didn't throw away!!(silly billy, I know.)
I remember faintly where the supposed allegation happened in November 2024. I don't know the area-as it is about an hour away from where I live. I've been there only ONCE.I went to pick up a present from Dunelm for my daughter-drove one hour from my home to get it, as the Fetlham Dunelm store was the only one where the item was in stock. I parked the car, went to the shop, and left. There were no ramps at the entry point, no obvious signage at the entry point, and no pay ticket machines.
We have many such shopping centres around with surface car parks, which are free-or with 3hour limit parking-but they are clearly visible in the area I live, so I didn't think for a second that ANPR took my number plate- and a penalty was generated.
I since looked at Google images, to see if I see anything,and didn't see any ramps or visible signs either.
Truthfully,I'm reluctant to drive an hour away from home to record this for myself, (unless I have to), but should I need to go to court to defend myself, I'll drive there to record what's visible.
Details on the form:
Claimant: PARMAVEN Limited
Address for sending documents and payments: DCB LEGAL LTD
Telephone: 0330 1744172
Reference: ************
CLAIM AMOUNT: £ 261.92
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Amount Claimed :£176.92
Court Fee: £35
Legal costs: £50
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Total Claim amount: £ 261.92
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Particulars of claim: 1. THE DEFENDANT (D) IS INDEBTED TO THE CLAIMANT (C) FOR A PARKING CHARGE(S) (PC) ISSUED TO VEHICLE ******* AT THE CENTRE FELTHAM SURFACE, FELTHAM, TW13 4GU 2. THE DATE OF CONTRAVENTION IS 27/11/2024 AND THE D WAS ISSUED WITH PC(S) BY THE CLAIMANT 3. THE DEFENDANT IS PURSUED AS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FOR BREACH OF THE TERMS ON THE SIGNS (THE CONTRACT). REASON: NO VALID PARKING SESSION
4. IN THE ALTERNATIVE THE DEFENDANT IS PURSUED AS THE KEEPER PURSUANT TO POFA 2012, SCHEDULE 4.
AND THE CLAIMANT CLAIMS
1. £170 BEING THE TOTAL OF THE PC(S) AND DAMAGES.
2. INTEREST AT A RATE OF 8% PER ANNUM PURSUANT TO S.69 OF THE COUNTY COURTS ACT 1984 FROM THE DATE HEREOF AT A DAILY RATE OF £.03 UNTIL JUDGMENT OR SOONER PAYMENT.
3. COSTS AND COURT FEES
Can any of you lovely people help me navigate this?-I have nothing to lose by fighting with all my might at this stage!
Thank you so much in advance!!
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