Free Traffic Legal Advice

Update on Smart Parking / DCB claim.
My defence was filed on 31 May based mainly on Smart Parking failing PoFA keeper liability requirements (parking event 07/02/2023, NTK issued 23/02/2023 — outside 14 days).

DCB Legal have now confirmed they are proceeding and have sent me their completed N180. They have ticked:

* Yes to mediation
* Yes to determination without a hearing
* Claimant’s home court

I’m waiting for my own N180 from the court.

Does anything in DCB’s N180 change the advice, and should I still tick NO to paper determination when mine arrives?

Quick update:

I have now received the SAR from Smart Parking.

The ANPR images show:

* Entry: 12:07:51
* Exit: 12:25:43

So the total time on site was around 17 minutes.

I have attached:

* the original 2023 Smart Parking signage/T&Cs from the SAR,
* the PCN timings,
* and current photos of the car park layout/signage taken this week.

The site now appears to use different signage/operator branding (“Hozah” / UK Parking Administration Ltd), so I appreciate the current signage may not exactly match the 2023 setup.

DCB Legal have also confirmed the claim is currently “on hold” while they review matters further with their client.

I would appreciate any thoughts on:

* adequacy/prominence of signage,
* grace/consideration periods,
* ANPR timing,
* and whether 17 minutes total stay is realistically defensible in these circumstances.


Also want to mention a huge thank you for your help.




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Hi all,

I’m looking for advice after receiving what appears to be a County Court claim relating to a private parking charge (smart parking)from February 2023.
The vechile was parked at a retail park while quickly returning an item to one of the shops. The car park was almost completely empty at the time.

The driver genuinely believed there would be a short grace period allowed to enter, park, read any signs, and briefly use the shops. I now understand the car park tariff was around 40p for an hour and, in hindsight, the driver should probably have paid it. However, I was only there very briefly and the alleged stay was around 20 minutes in total.

A Parking Charge Notice was later issued for around £80. I ignored the later debt letters and no longer have most of them.

I have now received HMCTS / County Court paperwork and I’m unsure whether this is worth defending or whether I should settle it.

My main concerns are:

the stay was very short,

the car park was/ is always largely empty,

I do not recall seeing clear signage,

and the charge feels disproportionate given the parking tariff was only around 40p.


Any advice on next steps would be appreciated.

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