Disputed private parking fine CCJ obtained without my knowledge at a previous address.

PlymBob

A few months ago I discovered a CCJ from an old address on my Experian credit file. I requested info from the court and it is from a private parking ticket that I had disputed. I lost the dispute with the private parking tribunal, but MSE (at the time) suggested things might go differently in the county court due to mitigating circumstances and no precedents. I therefore decided that I would wait and see if I got a summons and then dispute it in court.

The parking permit had slipped off the dashboard, but due to 2 collapsed vertebrae I was in too much pain to retrieve it at the time, which was also why I had left the car in an empty restaurant car park and taken a lift. The private parking company were intransigent about it being my duty to display it “properly” despite multiple photos of my “offending” vehicle which could have included the interior if they had wished, probably revealing the “slipped” ticket.

I never received a summons, and in 2016 a CCJ was awarded that I knew nothing about for an escalated debt of £261. This was at a previous address. FOC advice from CAB suggests Set Aside would cost £250 and no guarantee of success but could end up paying more in costs. Even if I paid the outstanding amount, the CCJ would not now be removed.

However, it is now hurting my credit file which has otherwise been impeccable for many decades. I have no debts, nor have I ever, apart from mortgage now paid off. But the CCJ is now preventing me from getting a better credit card or bank account, and is also affecting insurance quotes, even though ostensibly irrelevant.

Any suggestions?

[Deleted User]

Make sure you settle it as soon as you're able.

Although the CCJ will remain, settled debts obviously look much better than unsettled.