Is it too late...VCS County Claim

driver79

Hi Folks,

I've submitted my AOS (issue date 11feb) and was starting to draft my defence today.

I have a ticket from parking without a permit at a pool club. After waiting 15 mins to get served at the bar it was after half past 7. The bar staff informed me I didn't need one after half 7.

I've spoken with the club owner who insists the contract is until half 7 and the ticket isn't valid. I'm attempting to get a copy of the contract from his landlady.

He has asked me to email VCS and essentially inform them that I give him permission to speak to them on my behalf to attempt to get the ticket cancelled. My question is, is this advisable? Could i screw up any defence I do draft by allowing this?

waamo

VCS are allowed to withdraw their action at any time. If they see their case is absolutely hopeless then they may stop it.

driver79

Thank you for your quick response. Should I at this stage ask for all details held about me under GDPR and copy of their authorisation to issue tickets or have I missed the boat?

KeithP

What is the Issue Date on your Claim Form?

Did it come from the County Court Business Centre in Northampton, or from somewhere else?

driver79

Issue date is 11th Feb and yep from county court business centre at nn1 2lh. I can't even find an email address to request info from vcs (unless I use the contact for on their website) so I've got to wait until Monday to call.

KeithP

driver79 wrote: »

Issue date is 11th Feb and yep from county court business centre at nn1 2lh.

With a Claim Issue Date of 11th February, and having done the Acknowledgement of Service in a timely manner, you have until 4pm on Monday 18th March 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 "defended". 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.

driver79 wrote: »

I can't even find an email address to request info from vcs (unless I use the contact for on their website) so I've got to wait until Monday to call.

The advice is always never ever to ring a parking company.

Google found this document for me:

Vehicle Control Services Limited - Privacy Notice

Towards the bottom of that document you will find the email address of their data Protection Officer.

Redx

I also posted the email address and DPO details in the GDPR 2018 FIGHTBACK thread posted by Coupon-Mad last year too

but as stated above, the email for VCS is on their privacy page, like they all are


and YES you should be emailing the SAR asap to that email address, same as everyone else with a court case

driver79

Can't thank you enough. I have literally spent hours researching today and had to stop eventually as I'm flued up and not thinking straight.
I'll get the sar done in the morning and also give permission for the business owner to talk to them re the ticket...I'm hoping they accept they have ticketed out of contract (although I haven't seen evidence of such yet) and withdraw the case.