Free Traffic Legal Advice

Subject: Claim [claim number] – N1SDT Claim Form PoC signed by Sarah Ensall; N180 DQ signature; authority to conduct litigation, signature validity, and regulatory notice

Dear Sir/Madam,

I refer to the Claim Form (N1SDT) Particulars of Claim (PoC) filed/served in this matter. The document is signed by Sarah Ensall, position stated as Head of Legal, and purports to be signed on behalf of the Claimant’s solicitor.

Please confirm by return:

1. The PoC signatory’s role, and whether they are an authorised person within the meaning of the Legal Services Act 2007 with current rights to conduct litigation (provide SRA or CILEX number and practising status). If not authorised,

2. The precise exemption relied upon under Schedule 3 of the Legal Services Act 2007 that permits this individual personally to conduct litigation and sign this document in these proceedings (if relying on a court order, provide the sealed order; if relying on an enactment, identify it precisely).

N180 Directions Questionnaire (DQ) – signature and authorisation
I also refer to the Claimant’s copy of the N180 DQ, which is signed only with an initial and surname by a DCB Legal employee who is not identified as an authorised person to conduct litigation.

3. Confirm the DQ signatory’s full name (not initials), capacity, and authorisation to conduct litigation within the meaning of the Legal Services Act 2007 (provide SRA or CILEX number and practising status). If not authorised, state the precise exemption relied upon under Schedule 3 that permits that individual personally to sign a statement of truth on the Claimant’s behalf in these proceedings.

4. If the DQ was signed by an unauthorised and non-exempt person, confirm that you will re-file and serve a compliant N180 signed by an authorised (or exempt) individual, giving their full name and capacity.

For the avoidance of doubt:

• Preparing, signing, filing, or serving the PoC and/or the N180 DQ (which contains a statement of truth) are acts of conducting litigation, a reserved legal activity.
• CPR 22 and Practice Direction 22 require that a statement of truth be signed by the party or their legal representative; where signed by a legal representative, the signatory must sign in their own name and state their capacity. Initials only are not sufficient for verification of authorisation.
• Following Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP [2025], unqualified employees may assist but cannot themselves conduct litigation unless authorised or exempt.

Action required:

• Confirm the above within 7 days.
• If either document (PoC and/or N180) was not signed by an authorised (or exempt) person, re-file and serve compliant versions personally signed by an authorised individual, with their full name and capacity clearly stated.

Costs and regulatory notice:
If any document was signed by a person not authorised or exempt, or must be re-filed/served to correct the signatory’s identity/status, I, as a litigant in person, will treat this as unreasonable conduct. In line with Mazur and CPR 27.14(2)(g), I will invite the Court, in its discretion, to order the Claimant to pay the Defendant’s costs caused by your firm’s irregular conduct and, if appropriate, to consider wasted costs against representatives.

Further, carrying on a reserved legal activity without entitlement is a criminal offence under the Legal Services Act 2007. If any unauthorised conduct of litigation has occurred, I will report the matter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority without further notice and reserve the right to place this correspondence before the Court.

Yours faithfully,

[Full Name]
[Postal Address]
[Email]

Subject: Claim [Claim No] – N1SDT Claim Form Signature and Directions Questionnaire (N180) signed “DCB Legal”: authority to conduct litigation, signature validity, service by email, and regulatory notice

Dear Sir/Madam,

I refer to (i) the N1SDT Claim Form signed by Sarah Ensall and (ii) the Directions Questionnaire (N180) filed/served in this matter. The N180 DQ is signed only “DCB Legal” with no named individual and purports to be signed on behalf of the Claimant’s solicitor.

Please confirm by return:

1. Whether Ms Ensall and The N180 DQ signatory’s full name (forename and surname), their role, and whether they are an authorised person within the meaning of the Legal Services Act 2007 with current rights to conduct litigation (provide SRA or CILEX number and practising status). If not authorised,
2. The precise exemption relied upon under Schedule 3 of the Legal Services Act 2007 that permits this individual personally to conduct litigation and sign these documents in these proceedings (if relying on a court order, provide the sealed order; if relying on an enactment, identify it precisely).

For the avoidance of doubt:

• Preparing, signing, filing, or serving a Directions Questionnaire is an act of conducting litigation, a reserved legal activity.
• Practice Direction 22 requires the signatory’s full name and capacity when signing on behalf of a party; a firm’s name or initials alone are not sufficient for verification of authorisation.
• Following Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP [2025], unqualified employees may assist but cannot themselves conduct litigation unless authorised or exempt.

Action required:

• Confirm the above within 7 days.
• Re-file and serve a compliant N180 personally signed by an authorised (or exempt) individual, with their full name and capacity clearly stated. Please also identify the individual who signed the accompanying covering letter and confirm their authority.

Costs and regulatory notice:
If any document was signed by a person not authorised or exempt, or must be re-filed/served to correct the signatory’s identity/status, I, as a litigant in person, will treat this as unreasonable conduct. In line with Mazur and CPR 27.14(2)(g), I will invite the Court, in its discretion, to order the Claimant to pay the Defendant’s costs caused by your firm’s irregular conduct and, if appropriate, to consider wasted costs against representatives.

Further, carrying on a reserved legal activity without entitlement is a criminal offence under the Legal Services Act 2007. If any unauthorised conduct of litigation has occurred, I will report the matter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority without further notice and reserve the right to place this correspondence before the Court.

Yours faithfully,

[Full Name]
[Postal Address]
[Email (for correspondence only; not for service)]