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Thanks I did all that and submitted it via the MCOL service. On Tuesday, 29th Oct I received this back from DCB with a N180 (Small Claims Track) form questionnaire attached completed by them.

"Good morning

Having reviewed the content of your defence, we write to inform you that our client intends to proceed with the claim.

In due course, the Court will direct both parties to each file a directions questionnaire. In preparation for that, please find attached a copy of the Claimant's, which we confirm has been filed with the Court.

Without Prejudice to the above, in order to assist the Court in achieving its overriding objective, our client may be prepared to settle this case - in the event you wish to discuss settlement, please call us on XXX XXX XXXX within 7 days and make immediate reference to this correspondence.

If you have provided an email address within your Defence, we intend to use it for service of documents (usually in PDF format) hereon in pursuant to PD 6A (4.1)(2)(c). Please advise whether there are any limitations to this (for example, the format in which documents are to be sent and the maximum size of attachments that may be received). Unless you advise otherwise, we will assume not."


Thanks again for your advice on this

Thanks very much - there are a number of questions about the mediation appointment in section E. Should I complete these?

The N180 is not rocket science. Apply common sense and logic.

Just realised I haven't been notified that I should submit an N180 by the court and I can't find anything about the N180 on the Money Claim site yet either.

Should I still submit it or wait until I've been notified?

Thanks. I've been invited to a mediation meeting now - details below - any advice on how to handle this?

"Your telephone mediation appointment
Appointment date: xxxxx

Appointment time slot: xxxxx

Your confidential telephone mediation appointment has been booked for the above date and time slot. The mediator may call at any point within your timeslot to start the appointment. Please be ready to accept a call at any point during your timeslot. Your appointment will last for around one hour from the point at which the mediator calls. The mediator will call from a withheld number. Make sure that withheld/private numbers are not blocked on your phone.

The mediator will call both parties separately – you will not talk directly to the other side. They will try to help you come to an agreement with the other party. If an agreement is reached at mediation the case will not need to progress 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.


What you need to do to prepare for your telephone appointment:

• ACTION:
The mediation service requires a contact number to conduct the appointment, please reply to xxxxxx@xxx.gov.uk.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PROVIDE YOUR CASE/CLAIM NUMBER IN THE RESPONSE TO THE EMAIL.

If YOU will be attending the mediation appointment YOURSELF, please provide us with your full name and the best telephone number so the mediator is able to call you.

If you would like SOMEONE ELSE (like a trusted friend, relative or a solicitor) to attend on your behalf please fill out the attached delegation of authority to mediate form. Your representative must know the facts of the case, understand how far you’re willing to compromise and have full authority to act on your behalf. You’re legally bound to any settlement agreements your representative makes on your behalf.
Failure to provide contact details will result in your mediation appointment not taking place and will result in a Judge issuing a penalty where the mediation was mandatory.

If the mediator cannot contact you within 10 minutes of the appointment start, the appointment will be marked as not conducted and you may face a penalty for non-attendance.
Make sure you are in a suitable location for the appointment that is free from distractions. The mediator will cancel the appointment immediately if you are driving even if you are using a hands-free device.
The dates to avoid which you provided on your Directions Questionnaire were taken into account when booking your appointment. We are only able to re-book appointments in exceptional circumstances.

Please see attached documents for more information about what happens within your mediation appointment.

• Small Claims Mediation Service contact details
If you have any complaints or issues to raise about the Mediation Service, contact us by email or telephone:

Email:  xxxx@xxx.gov.uk
Telephone: XXXXXXXX