myparkingcharge.co.uk valid parking fine - any options?

Fosh

Thanks chaps for your help - I've got plenty of reading to be doing.


Also appreciate pointing me in the right direction in the newbies thread, there's so much information there that you can get a bit lost.

Redx

its better to have all the correct information in one place and be lost , than not have it at all and still be lost

nobody said that this topic was an easy topic, even took the MP,s and Lords years to get their heads around it and pass a new Parking CoP law recently

and then it will take the MHCLG some time to compose a new code of practice, for similar reasons , its a complicated topic

rome wasnt built in a day , and I doubt that you learned to drive , pass your test and became an experienced driver all in one day either

post #2 of that thread has all you need to fight this court case, plus get out of this thread and read other ongoing and concluded court cases that are farther along than yours

The_Deep

You are not in the wrong. You owe them nothing unless a judge says so.
£160 for a small human error is a scam. Let them take you to court and see what a judge thinks. Meanwhile get your MP on board, he/she is likely to be on your side.


Get your MP on board, they are totally on your side.

On 18th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these private parking companies. Codes of Practice are being drawn up, an independent appeals service will be set up, and access to the DVLA's date base more rigorously policed, and persistent offenders denied access. Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers.

Until this is done you should still complain to your MP, citing the new legislation.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/8/contents/enacted

Just as the clampers were finally closed down, so hopefully will many of these Private Parking Companies.

KeithP

What is the Issue Date on your Claim Form?

Fosh

March 29, and I completed the AoS today

KeithP

Fosh wrote: »

March 29, and I completed the AoS today

Oh, you said earlier you received it on March 29, which is why I asked.

With a Claim Issue Date of 29th March, and having done the Acknowledgement of Service in a timely manner, you have until 4pm on Wednesday 1st May 2019 to file your Defence.

That's over three weeks away. Loads of time to produce a perfect Defence, but don't leave it to the very last minute.


When you are happy with the content, your Defence should be filed via email as suggested here:

Print your Defence.
1. Sign it and date it.
   
2. Scan the signed document back in and save it as a pdf.
   
3. Send that pdf as an email attachment to CCBCAQ@Justice.gov.uk
   
4. Just put the claim number and the word Defence in the email title, and in the body of the email something like 'Please find my Defence attached'.
   
5. Log into MCOL after a few days to see if the Claim is marked "defence received". If not chase the CCBC until it is.
   
6. Do not be surprised to receive a copy of the Claimant's Directions Questionnaire, they are just trying to put you under pressure.
   
7. Wait for your DQ from the CCBC, or download one from the internet, and then re-read post #2 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread to find out exactly what to do with it.

Fruitcake

Is there any reason why you didn't edit your initial post to remove information about the driver's identity?

You can't use any PoFA failures in your defence if the scammers know who was driving.

Fosh

Yes, because it's not all correct in there. I left it accurate enough to get help, and inaccurate enough for them to not be able to identify me.

Fosh

I've seen elsewhere that VCS are likely to attend court themselves if it's in Sheffield - I live in Sheffield. Would I be more likely to win if I make them go to another court?

Fosh

I submitted my defence and went through mediation today. Since agreeing to mediation VCS have sent more LBC's from 2016, I assumed this was done as trying to put pressure on me/intimidate me but obviously they've had a mass mail out of old ones that went nowhere. I rejected their offer of paying £125 for 2 reasons, the first being that it sets a precedent that I'm a pushover and secondly I don't think paying £125 for an hours parking is reasonable.


Anyway, after that short update and ramble, I have an issue. I've just accepted a job in Germany so I'll be moving there in October. Obviously getting to court is going to be difficult and expensive and as they are likely to send a load of other court claims soon, I may have to go through that process several times. If I win, will I be able to claim the flight costs back? Are there any other options for doing it remotely or getting someone to attend on my behalf?