Solicitors letter 3 weeks before I get married - help please

wendb69

As if I wasnt stressed enough, I now receive a letter from Gladstones Solicitors.

Original story. I parked in a small store car park, like I had for years. I was in the shop a little over 20 minutes and came out to a ticket. I wrote to the company (CPM) and told them that I had parked there for years as the signs outside clearly showed "for ONE STOP CUSTOMERS ONLY". I didn't notice or acknowledge their signs as I hadnt needed to before. The for ONE STOP CUSTOMERS ONLY" were still very visable up to 4 weeks after my ticket. The parking limits are apparently 20 minutes.

I went through the IAS route to no avail:
"The Operator has provided evidence of the signs at the site, which make it clear that any driver parking for more than twenty minutes may be issued with the charge. The Operator has provided photographic evidence to show the Appellant’s vehicle parked for twenty three minutes. I am therefore satisfied the Operator has a prima facie case that the charge is lawful.

I didn't realise saying that it was me driving would cause me further problems.

So today I have had the £149, other attempts have failed letter.

I am really stressed, as I am getting married in 3 weeks, and I really don't know what to do next. Should I offer a small amount and see if they back off?

Originally I wrote to them from my work address and all correspondence has been sent there - I am not sure if this makes a difference?

Please help.

The_Deep

You were refused by IAS. They are a kangaroo court and do not meet the criteria that the Government has set down for ADR, also was the decision anonymous?

It is most unlikely that Gladstones, who control the IAS, would want this shown to a judge. You can ignore unless they are daft enough to try court.

Some reading

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-independent-appeals-service-ias-has.html

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/is-independent-appeal-service-kangaroo.html

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/independent-appeals-service-credibility.html

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/hopeless-solicitors-gladstones-bungle.html

and much much more.

beamerguy

As The Deep says above

You need to understand is that the IPC/IAS are owned by gladstones and therefore this is a cartel

1: Operator pays a subscription to the IPC to be able to access details from the DVLA
2: Operator will automatically decline your appeal and so will the IAS
3: Operator then instructs a stupid debt collector to harass you
4: To complete the circle Gladstones get involved.

Paperwork is moved from desk to desk and that is why they are called a kangaroo court who wish to remain anonymous

If like everyone you hate being scammed, you should have a chat with your local MP because this government allows the scam and yes they already know about it

wendb69

So for now do nothing?

Apart from reading your links ?

beamerguy

wendb69 wrote: »

So for now do nothing?

Apart from reading your links ?

The chances of gladstones taking you to court are small because they have already been spanked (as you can see from the Pranksters blog) The real courts no doubt know about the farse

You will probably get loads of silly threats about getting a CCJ and even quoting a dead in the water case called Beavis which was last year.
Only a REAL judge can decide on the case and even if you lost, you have plenty of time to pay before you get a CCJ

REMEMBER ... only a real court not a stupid kangaroo court.

If you do get a letter before action then return here for more advice. Until that happens if indeed it ever does .... ignore

Umkomaas

Yes to all above. Don't let your guard down though.

Can you tell us what Gladstones say in their letter about potential legal action. Please give it to us verbatim, do not paraphrase or guess 'from recollection'. It is important to differentiate their role as a debt collector and one where they might have taken instructions from their client to proceed to court. Very different animals.

You say you have been receiving post at work? Will you still be there after your marriage?

Have CPM ever written to you at the address shown on your car's V5C (formerly known as log book)?

What date did your parking 'contravention' take place - just month and year will be fine at this stage.

I am really stressed, as I am getting married in 3 weeks, and I really don't know what to do next

What you need to do next is try to see this in context. You are leading up to the greatest day in your life. The worst that could possibly happen is it might - much further down the track than your wedding day - cost you £150. Now are your wedding preparations and big event worth spoiling over a speculative invoice like this. Don't let this affect you, park it (pardon the pun) until after the big day and the honeymoon.

You've now got a number of experienced advisers here on MSE working with you to get rid of this from your life - so leave it (after answering the Qs above) until you've had a most fabulous day and honeymoon.

All the best.

wendb69

Umkomaas wrote: »

Yes to all above. Don't let your guard down though.

Can you tell us what Gladstones say in their letter about potential legal action. Please give it to us verbatim, do not paraphrase or guess 'from recollection'. It is important to differentiate their role as a debt collector and one where they might have taken instructions from their client to proceed to court. Very different animals.

You say you have been receiving post at work? Will you still be there after your marriage?

Have CPM ever written to you at the address shown on your car's V5C (formerly known as log book)?

What date did your parking 'contravention' take place - just month and year will be fine at this stage.


What you need to do next is try to see this in context. You are leading up to the greatest day in your life. The worst that could possibly happen is it might - much further down the track than your wedding day - cost you £150. Now are your wedding preparations and big event worth spoiling over a speculative invoice like this. Don't let this affect you, park it (pardon the pun) until after the big day and the honeymoon.

You've now got a number of experienced advisers here on MSE working with you to get rid of this from your life - so leave it (after answering the Qs above) until you've had a most fabulous day and honeymoon.

All the best.

Can you tell us what Gladstones say in their letter about potential legal action.

= As all other attempts have failed, our cliemt may now instruct us to take legal action against you in the County Court. To prevent such action we invite you to make payment to DRPL immediately or confirm in writing to DRPL you proposals in respect of this debt.

Please note the additional costs assocation with issuing a claim and the subsequent potential enforcement action is likely to increase the debt. Such costs will include, but are no limited to : the court fees. Fixed costs for issuing a claim, judgement costs and warrant fees and costs (if enforcement is used) This may increase the claim if defended.

It is important that you understand that if a judgement is registered against you then this could affect your chances etc

You say you have been receiving post at work? Will you still be there after your marriage? =

Yes, I originally wrote to the ticket people c/o my work address. I will still be here after I marry in another name.

Have CPM ever written to you at the address shown on your car's V5C (formerly known as log book)? - No

What date did your parking 'contravention' take place - just month and year will be fine at this stage. = Dec 2015

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate all the time taken to help on this.

Grimble

So they have to give you 10 minutes grace, you were only 3 minutes over.

wendb69

Grimble wrote: »

So they have to give you 10 minutes grace, you were only 3 minutes over.

The original letter from CPM states:

Signage clearly states VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED TO STAY FOR A MAX OF 20 MINS"

Then: The parking cvharge notice was issued to the vehicle as it was parked within the restricted area for a total of 23 minutes. The maximum stay period on the signage clearly states "maximum 20 minutes, no return within 2 hours"

Do you have to be given 10 minutes grace?

The_Deep

They will say "no", we will say "yes", but the only decision which counts is the Judge's.

pappa_golf

wendb69 wrote: »

The original letter from CPM states:

Signage clearly states VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED TO STAY FOR A MAX OF 20 MINS"

Then: The parking cvharge notice was issued to the vehicle as it was parked within the restricted area for a total of 23 minutes. The maximum stay period on the signage clearly states "maximum 20 minutes, no return within 2 hours"

Do you have to be given 10 minutes grace?

well gladstones are the OPC and they wrote the code of practice that members should adhere to




15. Grace Periods
15.1 Drivers should be allowed a sufficient amount of time to park and read any signs so
they may make an informed decision as to whether or not to remain on the site.
15.2 Drivers should be allowed a sufficient amount of time to leave a site after a pre-paid or
permitted period of parking has expired


so either they are allowing the parking co to act out of accordance with the code of practice , or the code of practice does not exist


be sure to quote the COP in reply to gladstones