ZZPS/Wright Halsall Solicitors FLOC

Mummy2Boys

Very sorry to send this question and I have spent nearly 2 hrs reading other threads similar etc but every case seems slightly different. I will explain how mine is different and hopefully you can help.

On 27/2/17 I parked in a walk in centre/hospital car park (Trafford Hospital, Moorside Road, Davyhulme, Manchester) whilst taking my very sick partner into the walk in centre. He is type 1 diabetic and was in a bad state as couldn't stop being sick etc. He was so bad that when we arrived, even though there were lots of people waiting, he was sent straight in to a Dr. who then phoned through to the hospital side and he was admitted to hospital straight away. He was in a bed in no time and on a drip instantly, in a bad way.

In all the panic and with him confused I could not leave his side and the car parking, that stated it was only a 3 hr free parking, was the least of my worries. We arrived at the car park (I am guessing) at around 4.30pm and I didn't leave the car park until 11.41pm (stated in their letter).

I received a letter from ZZPS on behalf of Civil Enforcement Ltd after not paying the initial fine/invoice. I did initially phone CEL when I got the fine to explain the situation with my partner but they just said I needed to get some proof from the hospital. A couple of days after that a friend told me I shouldn't do or pay anything because it is one of those charges that you don't pay therefore, I have ignored everything from them since. But like many, I am now slightly worried as I have received a Formal Letter of Claim from Wright Hassall Solicitors, with threats of CCJs etc. I have read the other posts and now realise they cannot do anything like this without having gone to court, although my worries are;
a) since phoning them, I have read on one post, I have accepted the 'invoice'???
b) I will have to now attend a court hearing to clear this up.
c) I will have to get back to the hospital and get proof etc.
d) presently I don't have time for this as my mum is just getting over cancer after having a kidney removed and, since Wednesday, hospital visits to my cousin who has been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of Leukemia and was taken into Christie's instantly. . . it is looking like he doesn't have long to live (34 yrs old!).

Everything seems to be going from bad to worse presently, but on a brighter note (in case anyone was wondering what happened to dear partner) my partner made a full recovery after spending 5 days in hospital.

I do hope I haven't done the wrong thing by ignoring the letters re the car parking charge but my feeling is I have.

Thank you in advance for any help at all at this difficult time.

Fruitcake

Unfortunately, ignoring these invoices (they are not fines) has not been recommended since the law changed in 2012.
'Phoning a PPC is also a big no-no, as is revealing the driver's identity.

The good news is that debt collectors have no powers anywhere in the UK and can safely be ignored.
It is quite likely that the Wright Hassell letter is actually a deb collector letter written on solicitor's note paper to scare the unwary. You need to check who it is asking you to pay.
If it states payment is due to A. Debt Collector, then it can be ignored. If it tells you to pay CEL, then it is a real letter before claim and you must respond to it.

You should complain to PALS and your MP.

You should also start reading the NEWBIES thread about court procedures, of which I am no expert and can't help you much. One of the more knowledgeable regulars will be along in a bit to help you but, but you are going to have to put in some legwork to beat this disgraceful scam. With help from this site though, you can win this and MSE has an extremely high success rate when defended with forum help.

Oh, ignore the advice from your friends. They obviously have no idea what they are talking about and you should tell them they need to come here to be educated rather than spout ill informed rubbish.

Umkomaas

To whom does the Wright Hassall letter tell you to pay (if you were daft enough!)?

Mummy2Boys

Thank you for your replies.

It is a FLOC from Wright Hassall which then goes on to say:
'Please contact us on (phone No.) to discuss repayment and avoid the need for any further action.'

Umkomaas

Mummy2Boys wrote: »

Thank you for your replies.

It is a FLOC from Wright Hassall which then goes on to say:
'Please contact us on (phone No.) to discuss repayment and avoid the need for any further action.'

Does it not say (usually on the reverse side of the letter) anything about paying 'our client, ZZPS'?

Mummy2Boys

Hi fruitcake.

Thank you so much for you very informative post.

What is PALS, how do I complain to them and what could they do?

Thanks

Umkomaas

Patient Advice and Liaison Services.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1082.aspx?CategoryID=68

(Google comes highly recommended by the forum)

Mummy2Boys

Umkomaas, thank you so much for your help.

On the front of the letter it does say 'we are instructed by ZZPS Limited on behalf of the Car Park Operator'.

beamerguy

Mummy2Boys wrote: »

Umkomaas, thank you so much for your help.

On the front of the letter it does say 'we are instructed by ZZPS Limited on behalf of the Car Park Operator'.

Read this thread from yesterday about the crazy minds of ZZPS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5697312

I guess in the letter you received they make threats about
what they will do to you such as CCJ's etc

Coupon-mad

Johnersh has also written a letter of complaint before, about that WH letter. Easy to find by searching the forum for 'Wright Hassall cathartic' and 'show posts' and find Johnersh's example.

As well as doing that, complain to PALS and insist that it is cancelled. If PALS are useless, escalate the complaint to the CEO of the NHS Trust. In writing, a really angry letter.

beamerguy

YES ... jonnersh great letter here ... post #21

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/72978573#Comment_72978573

Wright Hassall was at one time a respected firm of solicitors but
but since getting involved in the parking scam, the firm has
plunged into the sewers and the partner Nick Abell seems to
have taken it there

I wonder what the founders of Wright Hassall would think of
their disgusting behaviour now ???