VCS Letter Before Claim

rb331 · 15 March 2019 at 6:59PM

Thanks everyone for your input, I got it posted to the court before 4pm (they said to put in box outside it gets collected at 4pm) I also sent it via email just in case before 4pm along with sending a copy to VCS.

I amended the defence error and also added a bit about the fact that if you are turning right from across the road into the carpark the entry sign is not visible (included a photo of this too) the sign is also not on the drivers side to make it easier to read when passed but the passengers side. I will lookup the site owner in more detail to see if they are still active but it doesn't look like it from what you said above! Could I submit this argument as a skeleton statement?

Many thanks for all your help guys.... now for court day!

Umkomaas · 15 March 2019 at 7:07PM

A Skeleton Argument (SA) is not an essential part of the paperwork you are required to complete/produce - it's optional. It is simply a reminder to yourself of the points you wish to raise at the hearing (if the Judge allows you to). It should flow from your defence and WS, introducing new points not already included in your defence might be objected to by the claimant and the Judge, but it's the small claims court and you might get away with it.

Your SA should be sent to the court and claimant's solicitors a few days before the hearing.

rb331 · 28 March 2019 at 2:59PM

Hi guys, I am in court tomorrow morning, is there a sticky guide for this of the process , what to take etc I couldn't see one when looking through the newbies thread ?

Coupon-mad · 28 March 2019 at 3:40PM

You take your own copy of all your evidence, your WS and your defence and the stuff they sent you.

Get there half an hour early to get through security and to sit quietly in the outside area where other Defendants will be.

If the rep arrives for the Claimant, DO NOT agree to go into a side room to 'narrow the issues' or discuss the case, as a newbie like you will be pushed to 'settle' and IMHO, only an experienced court rep can cope with that trash.

Don't allow them to derail your determination to have your day in court. Shake their hand, do NOT accept any late papers, and tell them you will see them in the court room to discuss the case.

And take a costs schedule (see NEWBIES thread) and wage slip to claim your costs, by piping up to ask the Judge BEFORE leaving the room, at the end, if you win.

Have you read all the recent wins and court reports to know how to prepare and what to expect to have to say on the day, and how it plays out? .

Search keywords:

another one bites the dust

...finds all the wins, including some detailed accounts of easy and hard hearings!