County court summons issued

Seanmast

Dear all, I'd appreciate your help in any way with this problem, I have been chased by UK Parking Control over two parking tickets received for my car ending up being parked -unsure by whom- in hospital accommodation and not getting removed before restrictions were enforced. Twice unfortunately.
I was surprised to receive subsequently letters regards said tickets, but I followed what I thought was the current advice to ignore tickets and didn't think any more of it. They seemed to give up after about 4 letters.
I since moved and recently had forwarded to me a county court summons for the two tickets issued in September and October 2013.
They are claiming £160 per ticket and their costs amounting to £420.
Ouch.
What options do I have, I tried emailing one of the claims type representing firms but never got a reply, my time period has now about expired (five days after postal date plus 2 weeks of summons issue.
Is there anything I can do now or am I stuck with trying to find the money to pay and avoid being chased by court appointed debt collectors and further costs?

Please advise the best course of action at this point.
Many thanks to all.

update:-
AOS was filed on 13-12 online to Northampton.
SCS in process.

thanks to all for extremely useful input so far.
I'll keep on with updates.

pappa_golf

the amount they are asking for , exceeds that allowed by law


lets see costs , how much is an officers uniform this week?


reply to the court claim stating that you are going to defend , this will give you extra time


breath in and out several times and be ready to add more info to your posting when asked

worried_jim

I defended a case last year and after submitting my defence they backed out, I hope you are just as lucky.

Seanmast

Hi, thanks for a swift response, ok, so I got two separate tickets, and with their escalating ticket charge these have both topped out at £160 each, amounting to £320 for the ticket prices, (then have added the solicitors letter fee and the small claims court fee, all totalling £420 .)
I ignored, foolishly, all their letters , without looking for current advice, as I wasn't aware of the changes and this beavis ruling that occurred this year.
I subsequently moved and hears no more for almost a year and now I have received the county court summons on 24th November (letter date) with advice that I have 5 days and additional two weeks from that date before they will commence proceedings.
The court papers gave details of the action and methods of payments and whether I was planning to appeal the case.
the car was parked at Colchester hospital in the staff accommodation area on both occasions whilst visiting a friend there, I didn't expect tickets to be given late at night and early on Saturday morning.
There was signage unfortunately indicating that parking was being monitored and enforced by uk parking control and staff permits were needed to park there.
The count court summons has been issued as above, what options if any, do you think I have?
Many thanks for advice,

Seanmast

What defense can I now submit, in light of the fact that the county court is involved and UK Parking Control can probably show that they have followed all their requirements in terms of warning letters etc?

pappa_golf

have they delt with letters and the law correctly , it seems at the time of issuing court papers they have a total disregard to the law


how can they bring charges when there are no restrictions in place , in your words: "and not leaving before restrictions were enforced"

Umkomaas

Have you actually missed the deadline for acknowledgement of service of the court papers?

Were they issued from the bulk handling centre at Northampton County Court?

Marktheshark

Is publically owned land held in trust like hospital land relevant land for keeper liability ?

Seanmast

Ah, sorry, my own foolish interpretation of restrictions was that they were not enforced out of working hours- apparently that's not been the case and hence why they caught me out

Seanmast

As for the date of the court papers I may have unfortunately missed that date deadline- I thought it was dated 27th November but double checking it was the 24th. Perils of busy working distracted me unfortunately. I don't have the court papers just with me but will be home in an hour, thanks for your help.

Seanmast

Yes if I recall they were sent from Northampton courts but I don't know if it was from a bulk servicing centre- how would I tell?
Please excuse my ignorance.