Author Topic: NCP PCN - Glasgow - Parking in Disabled Bay / No Permit - Received Claims Notice  (Read 1443 times)

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Hi all, I've never used FTLA before so I'm sorry if the formatting is rough.

On 3rd March 2025 the driver of the vehicle parked the car in an NCP secure carpark in Glasgow, Scotland. The carpark was full, so the driver parked in a disabled bay. The driver paid on exit, no PCN was left on the car.

I'm the registered keeper of the car, I live in England.

On 14th May I receive a letter from TRACE, stating they have obtained my details as the registered keeper of the car and that I failed to reply to NCP's PCNs that they state were sent to the keeper's address. I replied to them via their internal portal informing them that I have received no such correspondence and the vehicle has been registered to the correct address since moving in in December 2024. I replied to them the same day informing them that they were clearly not sent to the correct address as shown on the PCNs. Furthermore, as this alleged breach occurred in Scotland, I as the registered keeper, cannot be held liable for the debts incurred by the driver, and that as the company have not proven that I am the driver of the vehicle, I cannot be required to pay this fine.
On 15th May I received a reply from TRACE stating they had sent the PCNs to the correct address and as such I am liable to pay the increased amount. They did not address the fact the alleged breach occurred in Scotland. I replied to them the same day advising them that they have failed to acknowledge this and that per Scottish law I am not required to identify the driver and requested them to feed this back to their client. I received no reply and followed up with another email on 6th June after receiving another letter from them re the same matter, I received no reply to that email.


On 21 July I started receiving letters from Moorside Legal, stating they are representing NCP and demanding I make payment on this PCN, they were the typical letters stating I must pay £170 by x date or they will take me to court. I did not keep the letters so I cannot show a copy here.
I emailed Moorside via their internal portal informing them that I already informed NCP that as this debt occurred in Scotland I am not required to tell them who was driving the vehicle, and as the keeper, I cannot be held liable. I received a follow-up email 2 days later asking for the details of the letter, I presume to confirm my ID, which I sent. I also informed them that per FCA regulations, after informing them that I am not liable for this debt they must cease collection activities and investigate the matter.


I received no reply until 12th August where they state that they cannot review disputes, demanded I pay, or they will advise their client to seek legal action. I then began receiving phone calls from Moorside, I do not know how they obtained my number. I spoke to their advisor, who was actually really nice, and informed her that as this occurred in Scotland, under Scottish law, I am not liable for the debts of the driver, and I am not legally required to inform them who the driver was. She accepted this and advised she would feed this back top NCP.


It was completely radio silent until 8th November where I have received a Claim Form from CNBC stating that Moorside have initiated proceedings against me for this debt. I have acknowledged receipt but I have not yet replied.



I've sought some advice and have been sent here as the advice has been pretty divided.
My understanding is that as this breach occurred in Scotland, the breach of this contract is subject to Scottish Law and therefore cannot be tried in an English Court. So I should challenge the application on the grounds of Jurisdiction.


Some important things to note:
  • I have not received a Letter Before Action before this claim.
  • The photographic evidence I do not believe proves the alleged breach. Photo 1 shows the VRM of the car, but a black BMW, not blue, which is parked in a bay with white lines. But photo 2 shows the side of a dark blue BMW, with no VRM visible, parked in a yellow lined bay. I'm not looking for some "aha gotcha" but the photos don't seem very reliable.


Here is photos of the PCNs and Trace's email for your perusal: https://postimg.cc/gallery/5y16SCx

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Welcome to FTLA.

Can you please show us the claim form you have received? Redact your name and address, the claim number, and the MCOL password, but show us everything else. The front and back page of the claim form would be useful, you do not need to show us the additional stuff such as the reply forms that came with it.

I can, see it below.

Front:  https://ibb.co/67spjzp6
Back:   https://ibb.co/ymyBnyNC


Cheers.

Noteworthy that they've not mentioned in the PoC that this took place in Scotland...

You mention having received 2 PCNs, but the claim appears to just be for 1 of them, is that correct?

Noteworthy that they've not mentioned in the PoC that this took place in Scotland...

You mention having received 2 PCNs, but the claim appears to just be for 1 of them, is that correct?

It's just the one PCN, one is the NtK, the other is a "final reminder."

Hilarious. Yet more utter incompetence from the inept staff at Moorside Legal.

The law as it applies to an alleged contractual contravention in Scotland by a resident of England:

A claimant may sue an English-domiciled defendant in the English County Court even if the parking event happened in Scotland. Under the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (Sch. 4), the general rule is domicile of the defendant; the “place of performance/harm” heads are alternative, not exclusive.

If proceedings are brought in England, the court can and should apply the appropriate substantive law to the dispute. For a Scottish parking incident that usually means Scots law (via Rome I/Rome II principles), even though the forum is an English court.

PoFA 2012 Schedule 4 does not apply in Scotland. So where the incident was in Scotland and the driver is not identified, there is no statutory keeper liability to transfer to the registered keeper. Unless the claimant proves the defendant was the driver (or has some other viable basis under Scots law), the claim is meritless.

The practical upshot is that jurisdiction (forum) is England if you’re domiciled here, but the liability test is governed by Scots law, under which a PoFA keeper claim fails. This is a sound basis for strike-out and/or summary judgment, plus an application for your costs (including the application fee and LIP time where the court finds unreasonable conduct).

The way to handle this is to defend and immediately apply for a Summary Judgment with fixed costs of £750 under Practice Direction 45, Table 1(C) (in the sum of £750, if and insofar as PD 45 applies to this claim), together with the application fee of £313. You would also apply in the alternative that the claim is struck out pursuant to CPR 3.4(2)(a) and/or CPR 3.4(2)(b) with the claimant to pay the defendant’s costs of the whole action, to be summarily assessed at the conclusion of the hearing, including the N244 application fee (£313), the defendant’s litigant-in-person time at £24 per hour, and reasonable disbursements, pursuant to CPR 27.14(2)(g) on the basis of the claimant’s unreasonable conduct.

For now, with an issue date of 5th November, you have until 4pm on Monday 24th November to submit your defence. If you submit an Acknowledgement of Service (AoS) before then, you would then have until 4pm on Monday 8th December to submit your defence.

You only need to submit an AoS if you need extra time to prepare your defence. If you want to submit an AoS then follow the instructions in this linked PDF:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xvqu3bask5m0zir/money-claim-online-How-to-Acknowledge.pdf?dl=0

Until very recently, we never advised using the MCOL to submit a defence. However, due to recent systemic failures within the CNBC, we feel that it is safer to now submit a short defence using MCOL as it is instantly submitted and entered into the "system". Whilst it will deny the use of some formatting or inclusion of transcripts etc. these can always be included with the Witness Statement (WS) later, if it ever progresses that far.

You will need to copy and paste it into the defence text box on MCOL. It has been checked to make sure that it will fit into the 122 lines limit.

Quote
1. The Defendant denies the claim in its entirety. No liability is admitted and no debt is owed. The claim is without merit and discloses no comprehensible cause of action.

3. The Particulars of Claim (“PoC”) are generic and fail to comply with CPR 16.4(1)(a) and PD 16. In particular:

(a) No contract is pleaded with the particularity required, nor is any document exhibited (PD 16, para 7.3(1)).
(b) The PoC do not set out the wording of any clause(s) relied upon.
(c) The PoC do not explain the basis of any alleged breach with clarity.
(d) The PoC do not identify the location of the alleged event, the exact time, or any period said to constitute “parking”.
(e) The PoC do not state how the sum claimed is calculated, including the basis for any interest, damages or surcharges, nor what proportion (if any) is the original charge.
(f) The PoC fail to identify whether the Defendant is pursued as driver or as keeper, impermissibly pleading alternatives without particulars.

3. The alleged event occurred in Scotland. Any contract (if formed at all) was formed there; the applicable substantive law is Scots law in accordance with the choice-of-law rules. The Defendant does not admit to being the driver. The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4 (statutory keeper liability) does not extend to Scotland. The Claimant pleads no facts capable of fixing the registered keeper with liability under Scots law and adduces no evidence of driving. The claim therefore has no real prospect of success.

4. The PoC contain bare assertions (e.g. that “the Driver agreed to pay within 28 days”) with no pleaded facts or documents. Courts have struck out materially similar pleadings for non-compliance with CPR 16.4(1)(a) (see, e.g., CEL v Chan; CPMS v Akande).

5. To the extent the Claimant purports to claim statutory interest under s.69 County Courts Act 1984, the Defendant disputes that such interest is available where the governing law is Scots law; in any event the PoC do not properly plead the basis or period.

6. In the premises:

(i) the claim should be dismissed; or
(ii) alternatively, the Court is invited to strike out the PoC under CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b) for failure to disclose reasonable grounds and/or abuse.

7. Further case management to paper over these defects would be disproportionate given the modest value.

8. The Defendant will file a separate N244 seeking summary judgment under CPR 24.2 (no real prospect of success), or in the alternative strike-out under CPR 3.4, with costs.

As soon as you have submitted the defence, come back if you would like to submit an N244 for Summary Judgment and fixed costs (before allocation, there is no limit for costs).
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain

That is absolute quality.

I would like to submit an N244 if you could help with that, that'd be very appreciated. before I send off the defence, do I need to indicate that I intend to make a counterclaim, if I an going to submit an N244?

I'll let you know if/when they reply to my defence.


Cheers.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2025, 03:59:18 pm by Jonesykins »

No! Do not indicate that you intend to counterclaim. A counterclaim complicates things (extra issues, evidence, track/fees), can blunt the “no real prospect” focus, and may delay or derail a quick SJ disposal.

You can still recover your application fee and LiP costs (£24/hr) on an unreasonable conduct basis without any counterclaim.
If you have a separate grievance (e.g. data misuse), keep it separate and issue later—unless a limitation deadline is about to expire (in which case consider a separate claim now, not a Part 20 counterclaim).

All you would need if you wanted to make a separate claim is to add a single additional point in your defence with:

Quote
9. The Defendant reserves the right to bring a separate claim arising from the Claimant’s conduct once these proceedings are concluded.

So, submit the defence first and then follow these steps on how to submit the application for Summary Judgment:



Step 1 – Objective
Apply now for summary judgment under CPR 24.2; alternatively strike-out under CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b); seek costs.

Step 2 – Documents to prepare
a) N244 (current HMCTS “N244 Application notice (06.22)”)
b) Draft Order
c) Witness Statement with Exhibits A–D
d) Skeleton Argument (2 pages max)
e) Costs Schedule
f) Covering email/letter to CNBC and Certificate of Service

Step 3 – Complete N244 (key entries)
Q1: Your name and address as Defendant.
Q2: Defendant.
Q3 (order sought and why): Insert the draft below under “Q3 text”.
Q4: Yes (a hearing).
Q5: Defendant.
Q6: Leave blank for court to fix.
Q7: Leave blank for court to fix.
Q8: District Judge.
Q9: Tick “the evidence set out in the attached witness statement”.
Q10: Tick “witness statement”.
Q11: Write “N/A”.
Statement of truth: sign and date. You can sign by typing your full name. No need for a wet signature.

Q3 text (copy/paste):

Quote
The Defendant applies for summary judgment under CPR 24.2 on the whole claim on the basis that the Claimant has no real prospect of succeeding and there is no other compelling reason for a trial. The alleged parking event occurred in Scotland; the Defendant does not admit being the driver; Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 does not extend to Scotland and the Claimant pleads no viable basis in Scots law to fix a keeper with liability. The Particulars of Claim are also defective: they fail to identify the location, the contractual terms relied upon, the cause of action, or whether the Defendant is sued as driver or keeper (contrary to CPR 16.4 and PD16). Alternatively, the claim should be struck out under CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b). Directions sought: list and determine this application before allocation; if already allocated, treat and determine it as a CPR 3.4 application at the first hearing. Costs sought per the attached draft order.

Step 4 – Draft Order (copy/paste)

Quote
UPON the Defendant’s application and upon reading the evidence, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. Summary judgment is entered for the Defendant pursuant to CPR 24.2 and the claim is dismissed.

2. The Claimant shall pay the Defendant’s costs of the application and the claim as follows:

a. Primarily, fixed costs under Practice Direction 45 Table 1(C) (if and insofar as applicable), together with the application fee of £313, payable within 14 days; or

b. Alternatively, if allocated or treated as small claims, costs under CPR 27.14(2)(g) for unreasonable conduct, to include the application fee, the Defendant’s litigant-in-person time at £24 per hour, and reasonable disbursements, summarily assessed.

Alternatively to paragraph 1:

3. The claim is struck out pursuant to CPR 3.4(2)(a) and/or (b).

4. Costs as in paragraph 2.

5. Liberty to apply on 7 days’ notice.
Step 5 – Witness Statement (edit facts, then sign by typing your full name)

Quote
IN THE COUNTY COURT

Claim No: [ ]

Between: National Car Parks Ltd v [Defendant]

WITNESS STATEMENT OF [DEFENDANT]


1. I am the Defendant. I make this statement from my own knowledge and belief.

2. The claim concerns an alleged private parking charge. The Particulars of Claim do not identify the location of the alleged event, the contractual terms relied upon, the cause of action, or whether I am pursued as driver or keeper. No contract or document is exhibited.

3. The alleged event occurred in Scotland. Any contract, if formed at all, would have been formed there. I do not admit to being the driver and the Claimant has no evidence that I was the driver.

4. Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (keeper liability) does not extend to Scotland. The Claimant has not pleaded any viable basis in Scots law to fix a registered keeper with liability where the driver is not identified.

5. On these facts the claim has no real prospect of success. Further, the template Particulars are so lacking in essential detail as to disclose no reasonable grounds.

6. I ask the Court to enter summary judgment under CPR 24.2 or, alternatively, to strike out the claim under CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b). I seek my costs as set out in my costs schedule.

Exhibits:

A – Extracts from the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 showing territorial extent and the heading to Schedule 4.
B – Evidence that the alleged event location is in Scotland (e.g. NtK copy, photographs, map).
C – Copy of the sealed Claim Form and Particulars of Claim with omissions highlighted (including absence of location).
D – Authorities list (optional) noting strike-outs for non-compliant PoC (e.g. CEL v Chan; CPMS v Akande).

Statement of Truth

I believe that the facts stated in this Witness Statement 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: [Type full name]


Date:

Step 6 – Skeleton Argument (2 pages max)

Quote
IN THE COUNTY COURT

Claim No: [ ]

Between: National Car Parks Ltd v [Defendant]

A. Issues
1. Whether the Claimant has any real prospect of success against the Defendant as registered keeper where the incident was in Scotland and the driver is not admitted or proved.
2. Whether the Particulars disclose reasonable grounds.

B. Facts (concise)
3. Alleged parking charge; PoC omit location, terms, cause of action, basis of liability.
4. Alleged event in Scotland; Defendant does not admit being driver.

C. Law
5. Summary judgment test: CPR 24.2.
6. Strike-out: CPR 3.4(2)(a)/(b) and pleading standards in CPR 16.4(1)(a) and PD16.
7. PoFA 2012 Sch 4 creates keeper liability only in England and Wales; it does not extend to Scotland.

D. Application to facts
8. No driver admitted or evidenced; no statutory keeper liability in Scotland; no pleaded Scots-law basis. No real prospect.
9. PoC are template and fail to identify location or terms; disclose no reasonable grounds; proceeding is an abuse of process.

E. Relief
10. Summary judgment; alternatively strike-out; costs per draft order.
[/b][/b]

Step 7 – Costs Schedule

Quote
IN THE COUNTY COURT

Claim No: [ ]

Between: National Car Parks Ltd v [Defendant]


Party: Defendant (litigant in person)

Application fee (N244): £313
Preparation time for application, witness statement, exhibits, skeleton, draft order: [insert hours] x £24/hour = £[ ]
Hearing preparation and attendance (estimate): [insert hours] x £24/hour = £[ ]
Printing, postage, travel: £[ ]
Total sought: £[ ]

Primary: PD 45 Table 1(C) fixed application costs if applicable plus £313 fee.
Alternative: CPR 27.14(2)(g) unreasonable conduct, seeking the above sums, summarily assessed.

Step 8 – Covering email/letter to CNBC

Quote
Subject: [Claim No] – Defendant’s Application for Summary Judgment (CPR 24.2) or Strike-Out (CPR 3.4)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find attached the Defendant’s N244, Draft Order, Witness Statement with Exhibits, Skeleton Argument and Costs Schedule. The Defence has been filed. The application seeks determination before allocation; if already allocated, it seeks determination as a CPR 3.4 application at the first hearing. Please confirm filing and advise payment of the £313 application fee.

Yours faithfully,

[Name]
[Address, email]

Step 9 – Service on Claimant’s solicitors (email and post)

Send the same bundle to Moorside Legal’s service email (help@moorsidelegal.co.uk), CC yourself and by first class post the same day. Send by First Class post and get a free certificate of posting (Proof of Posting) from any Post Office.

Step 10 – Certificate of Service

Once you have posted the bundle to Moorside Legal, you can either complete and an N215 (Certificate of Service) form or just send the following with your N244 application bundle:

Quote
Certificate of Service

Claim No: [ ]

Between: National Car Parks Ltd v [Defendant]


I, [name], certify that on [date of posting] I served the Defendant’s application bundle (N244, Draft Order, Witness Statement with exhibits, Skeleton Argument, Costs Schedule) on the Claimant’s solicitors, Moorside Legal, by first-class post to: Unit 1.01, Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Failsworth, Oldham, OL8 3QL.

Service is deemed on [insert the second business day after posting, per CPR 6.26].

A proof of posting certificate dated [date] is retained.

Signed: [Type full name]

Dated: [date]

Step 11 – After the court lists the hearing

Comply with CPR 24.5 timetable: serve any reply evidence no later than 3 days before; check if the Claimant serves evidence 7 days before. File and serve a concise hearing bundle if the court orders one.

Step 12 – At the hearing

Open with the Scottish locus, non-admission of driver, non-applicability of PoFA Schedule 4, and defective PoC (no location, no terms, no cause of action). Ask for summary judgment; alternatively strike-out; then costs per the draft order.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2025, 06:56:21 pm by b789 »
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain

Awesome, I'll let you know how it goes.
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Hello and happy new year, I thought you'd maybe like an update:

  • On 14/11/2025 I submitted my defence as well as provided the "claimant" with my N244 and associated documents
  • On 12/12/2025 Moorside finally acknowledged receipt of my documents...
  • Heard nothing back
  • On 06/01/2026 received an email from MCOL stating that Moorside withdrew the claim on 28/11/2025

https://prnt.sc/-SkFciq-npH0


So no follow up, no reply, not even an apology. I expected nothing less from Moorside to be honest...


Thanks for your help.