Author Topic: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service  (Read 3276 times)

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Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
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Hi everyone,

Over a year ago I parked outside a corner shop to drop off a parcel, and a while later got a private parking fine. The location in particular was Victoria Road North Acton (sharing so i hope this can help others who may have the same issue). Soon after, perhaps a few days or a week, the car was actually written off, but anyway, the PCN was not paid as I was firmly under the view that you do not need to pay private parking fines.

I do recall at the time, checking with the person working inside the shop if I can park there as i quickly dropped off my parcel and he said yes, you can if its just quickly.


Now, a year on, I have received a letter from HM Court & Tribunal Service because a "money claim has been made against" me. This is not a CCJ, but if I do not respond before the response date, "the claimant could request a CCJ against" me. It is from PRIVATE PARKING SOLUTIONS, via their solicitor, GLADSTONES.

To make things worse I am not even in the UK so cannot check my old letters to even see if I have the original fine, as i did think it was a scam letter / PCN that could be ignored. A family member has just sent me photos of the new letter from HM Courts & Tribunal Service, and I am not sure how to proceed. I do of course want to have this ridiculous fine waived, as I did have consent from the shop staff that I could park there, but at the same time dont want to risk my credit rating / going to court and losing.

Is it possible to challenge, and still have an option to settle if they say no? Or do i challenge, and then automatically it is escalated go to court, if they reject my challenge.


On what grounds can I even challenge it, after so long has passed?!

Thank you for your help on this stressful matter.

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Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #1 on: »
Moving to Private Parking board.

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #2 on: »
Welcome to FTLA.

We need to see the first page of the claim form, which contains the 'Particulars of Claim' - that page seems to be missing from the ones you've uploaded, but is the one we need, as it contains the basis of the claim against you.

As a general aside, ignoring private parking charges has unfortunately not been advisable since 2012.

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #3 on: »
I'll tell you what... I will give you £100 for every occurrence of the word "fine" you can show me in any of the correspondence you have received over this matter. In return, you can give me just £5 for every occurrence of the word "fine" you have used.

Seriously though, please stop referring to it as a "fine". There is no such thing as a "private fine". You received a speculative invoice for an alleged breach of contract by the driver. Now they are trying to claim it as a debt from you.

All those pages you have shown us are irrelevant and the only one we really need to see is missing. Show us the N1SDT Claim Form with the Particulars of Claim (PoC). Simply redact your personal info, the claim number, your VRM and the MCOL password. Leave everything else, especially all dates and time showing.

Assuming that the issue date of the claim is not before 2nd January 2025, then you should submit your Acknowledgement of Service (AoS) by following the instructions in this PDF.

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

When you have submitted your AoS and we know the issue date of the claim, we can tell you your deadline for submitting the defence. We can provide the defence but we need to know the PoC first.

I can guarantee that Gladstone's will have screwed up the PoC and failed to comply with CPR 16.4(1)(a) which will lead to the claim being struck out as long as you follow the advice.
« Last Edit: January 21, 2025, 12:33:11 pm by b789 »
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #4 on: »
Hi, sorry to have skipped the most important page (!)

I have not yet done the AoS as I didnt even know that was a thing. I was just planning to challenge it, but wanted your advice first.

Have now uploaded the correct page, and really hope we block these guys' payday  :(  :(  :(

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Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #5 on: »
As expected. Typical Gladstones incompetence. The PoC fail to comply with CPR 16.4(1)(a) which means that the defendant is unable to plead any defence because there is no cause of action stated.

You have to understand, irrespective of what you have received previously, the PoC MUST contain a concise statement of the facts. Assume that the first you know about this alleged debt is the claim itself. How do you imagine you could plead a defence based on the information in the PoC? You can’t.

For now... With a claim issue date of 14th January, you have until 2nd February to submit your Acknowledgement of Service (AoS). By submitting an AoS, you then have until 4pm on Monday 17th February to submit your defence.

Follow the instructuons in the linked PDF to submit your AoS:

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

Tell us when you have submitted your AoS and we will provide the necessary defence and transcripts.

This most likely outcome is that this is struck out at allocation stage, as long as you follow the advice.
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain
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Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #6 on: »
Have completed AoS

Many thanks b789 for your words, keeping me feeling reassured i can successfully challenge this nonsense of a claim they have raised

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #7 on: »
Here is the defence and the draft order. You only need to edit your name, the claim number and sign the defence by typing your full name for the signature. There is nothing to edit in the draft order. When done, save them as PDF files and attach them to an email addressed to claimresponses.cnbc@justice.gov.uk and CC in yourself. The claim number must appear in the email subject field and in the body of the email put "Please find attached the defence and draft order in the matter of Civil Enforcement ltd. v [your full name] Claim No.: [claim number]".

Quote
IN THE COUNTY COURT
Claim No: [Claim Number]

BETWEEN:

Private Parking Solutions (London) 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 disclose any valid cause of action.

Preliminary Matter

2. The Defendant respectfully submits that the Particulars of Claim (PoC) fail to comply with the mandatory requirements of CPR 16.4(1)(a), which states that the PoC must include a concise statement of the facts on which the claimant relies. The PoC are so deficient in particulars that they fail to disclose a cause of action, making it impossible for the Defendant to plead properly.

3. Specifically, the PoC lack:

(a) The specific terms of the alleged contract that were purportedly breached;

(b) The precise signage locations, alleged terms and conditions displayed thereon, or details of how the alleged breach occurred;

(c) Attachment or details of the contract relied upon, contrary to CPR PD 16.7.5;

(d) Particularity as to the alleged breach, including its nature, time, and location;

(e) An explanation of how the sum claimed is calculated, including the basis for any statutory interest, damages, or other charges;

(f) 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. In light of the above, the Defendant respectfully requests that the court strikes out the claim pursuant to CPR 3.4(2) on the basis that:

• The statement of case discloses no reasonable grounds for bringing the claim; and

• The statement of case is an abuse of process.

5. The Defendant cites the cases of CEL v Chan 2023 [E7GM9W44] and CPMS v Akande 2024 [K0DP5J30], which are persuasive appellate decisions. In these cases, claims were struck out due to identical failures to comply with CPR 16.4(1)(a). Transcripts of these decisions are attached to this Defence.

Alternative Submission

6. The Defendant submits that the correct course of action is for the court to strike out the claim due to the Claimant's clear and material failure to comply with CPR 16.4(1)(a). The rules exist to ensure fairness, and the Claimant's non-compliance cannot be excused. The Defendant asserts that "rules are rules," and the Claimant has failed to follow them.

7. However, in the unlikely event that the court does not agree with the persuasive nature of the cited appellate decisions, the Defendant submits the following alternative:

• The court should make an order requiring the Claimant to provide the following further and better detailed particulars:

(a) Set out the specific terms of the alleged contract that were purportedly breached;

(b) Specify the precise signage locations, alleged terms and conditions displayed thereon, or details of how the alleged breach occurred;

(c) Provide attachment or details of the contract relied upon, as required by CPR PD 16.7.5;

(d) Provide particularity as to the alleged breach, including its nature, time, and location;

(e) Explain how the sum claimed is calculated, including the basis for any statutory interest, damages, or other charges;

(f) Clarify 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.

8. Without such particulars, the Defendant is unable to properly respond to the claim, resulting in unfairness and prejudice.

Draft Order

9. A draft order is appended to this defence, which the Defendant requests the court to consider adopting should the claim not be struck out at this stage.

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:

CEL v Chan transcript

CPMS v Akande transcript

Draft Order for the defence
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #8 on: »
All sent as PDFs via email - can't thank you enough

What happens next?

Have a lovely Thurs evening :)

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #9 on: »
You'll get a response from the claimant once they receive a copy of your defence. The only problem is that you don't know when the CBNC will send it.

The claimant will then send you a letter stating that their client has reviewed your defence and intends to proceed with the claim. They will also send you a copy of their N180 Directions Questionnaire which you simply file away.

You are then waiting for your own N180 DQ form. You can check your MCOL history to make sure that your AoS and defence have been received and also for when the CNBC has sent you your own DQ. TO pre-empt that, read the following advice:

Quote
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.
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #10 on: »
Hi there,

I have a response from
- HM Courts & Tribunal Service on Jan 29th acknowledging the receipt of my defence.
- Their Solicitors on 31st Jan who "act for the claimant and have notified the court of the claimants intention to proceed with the claim"

and have now received the Notice of Proposed Allocation to the Small Claims Track notice with the N180 pack attached to it. I have completed all the sections and will send via email, but it says to also send to all parties, so i will need to send to their solicitor too i assume?

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #11 on: »
Also, who are DCB Legal you have advised to CC in? Thanks

Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #12 on: »
DCB Legal are one of the other bulk litigators the parking co's used - yours is with Gladstones, so ignore the bit about DCB and copy to Gladstones instead.
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Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #13 on: »
Sorry... should be enquiries@gladstonessolicitors.co.uk
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience” - Mark Twain
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Re: Private Parking Fine ignored ---> HM Court & Tribunal Service
« Reply #14 on: »
Have now been given my mediation appointment - Are we hoping it gets struck off before this point or after the call?