Gladstone Solicitors > County Court

mrwing

Hi All,

I could do with some advice as I really do not know who to turn to or what to do next. I'll try keep it brief and short but detailed.

Every Thursday I attend Kick Boxing class in Bletchley in Milton Keynes where classes start 6.30pm. I usually get into the car park around 6pm or just a few minutes before and from what I remember the tariff is 20p per hour and free parking after 6pm.

1. On my first occasion attending the class I had parked on the street which is free after 6pm
2. Second occasion parking, I realised they had a car park available which is camera controlled and I had entered car park 5.57PM and someone said it is free parking after 6pm.
3. Third occasion I had entered the car park 5.54pm to which I didn't bother checking the machine for free parking.

14th June 2017 I had received a letter from Horizon Parking to which stated I had entered the car park and did not pay for parking etc etc.

I had disputed this with HORIZON PARKING stating that on the website it had stated "first 20 minutes of parking" is free which would have taken me past 6pm and any parking after 6pm is free as per the information on the tariff board and online. HORIZON PARKING come back and said no I still need to pay as I entered on the grounds of the contract and had to pay for parking. I had then responded back to them stating here is the proof of first 20 mins are free and stating what about the "grace period" entitlement of every customer who enters the car park. HORIZON PARKING come back and said no. (this was all communicated through email which I do have I hope). I had also stated my intention was not to park without paying. I was simply aware that the free parking is free after 6pm and was there purely to attend class and asked if this could be waived and stated the logical side that I would of just paid the 20p if I knew it would have incurred this fine of £60, but I went on the assumption on point 2. entering the car park 3 mins earlier and it was free parking, it would then be free parking again 6 minutes before 6pm.

HORIZON PARKING then had escalated the matter to DRP who i again disputed with the same evidence and proof that "first 20 minutes" free and free parking after 6pm. DRP come back saying no and stated the obvious. At that time i looked into them and as a debt recovering company they would hassle to get money in. I got frustrated and said if they can heavily discount I will pay as I wanted rid of it, as that time the fine was £127.50.

Further down the line I then receive letters from GLADSTONES SOLICITORS where it stated letter before court and demanding payment, if not it will escalate to Court stages. I then seeked some friendly solicitor advice from a friend who does not specialise in parking tickets and attempted to respond to them. GLADSTONE SOLICITORS then sent another letter of the same which I assumed its the standard template they had just used again which i then ignored.

I then receive letter from the County Court with actions which needs to be taken within next 14 days

Please can someone help me as I think I do have somewhat a valid case, but if I don't please let me know and I will just pay the total fine, otherwise I will continue to head to Citizen Advice Bureau on Monday 12th.

Just to add additionally I have received parking fines in the past from council and tried disputing, rejected and I paid.

Regards

Mr Wing

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?

Don't bother with the Citizen Advice Bureau. They are clueless when it comes to private parking matters.

mrwing

Hi Keith,

Issue Date is 6th August 2019

From County Court Business Centre

KeithP

mrwing wrote: »

Issue Date is 6th August 2019
From County Court Business Centre

With a Claim Issue Date of 6th August, you have until Tuesday 27th August to do the Acknowledgement of Service, but there is nothing to be gained by delaying it. To do the AoS, follow the guidance offered in a Dropbox file linked from post #2 of [URL="https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread[/URL]. About ten minutes work - no thinking required.

Having done the AoS, you have until 4pm on Monday 9th September 2019 to file your Defence.

That's over four weeks away. Plenty of time to produce a Defence, but please don't leave it to the 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 an early copy of the Claimant's Directions Questionnaire, they are just trying to keep you under pressure.
   
7. Wait for your DQ from the CCBC, or download one from the internet, and then re-read post #2 of [URL="https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread[/URL] to find out exactly what to do with it.

In post #2 of the NEWBIES thread there is full guidance on how to create a winning Defence and links to many examples of winning Defences.

mrwing

Hi Keith,

I shall follow your steps as listed above.

So with the forms sent by the County Court Business centre. Do i have to pick an option i.e pay, dispute etc by 27th August?

Quentin

mrwing wrote: »

So with the forms sent by the County Court Business centre. Do i have to pick an option i.e pay, dispute etc by 27th August?

No, not really


Read up in the Newbies FAQ thread near the top of the forum


Post #2 there covers court claims and how to deal with the forms

KeithP

mrwing wrote: »

Hi Keith,

I shall follow your steps as listed above.

So with the forms sent by the County Court Business centre. Do i have to pick an option i.e pay, dispute etc by 27th August?

If you follow 'the steps listed above', I think you'll find that those questions will be answered.

mrwing

Thanks Keith.

beamerguy

Mr Wing, you are being scammed by the notorious Gladstones solicitors who invented the biggest parking scam called the IPC.

You never did owe more than the parking charge, fake add-ons were applied by DRP, who are not only notorious but complete idiots as well.

It's pointless contacting the CAB as they are as clueless about the parking industry as a dog learning to fly. Don't bother with the CAB.

A QUESTION FOR YOU ....... has Gladstones added a figure of £60 on top of the claim. If so they are scamming you. YES OR NO ??

The_Deep

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams so consider complaining to your MP.

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, and on 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these shysters. 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, persistent offenders denied access to the DVLA database and unable to operate.

Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers, but 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.

mrwing

beamerguy wrote: »

Mr Wing, you are being scammed by the notorious Gladstones solicitors who invented the biggest parking scam called the IPC.

You never did owe more than the parking charge, fake add-ons were applied by DRP, who are not only notorious but complete idiots as well.

It's pointless contacting the CAB as they are as clueless about the parking industry as a dog learning to fly. Don't bother with the CAB.

A QUESTION FOR YOU ....... has Gladstones added a figure of £60 on top of the claim. If so they are scamming you. YES OR NO ??

@beamerguy. So parking charge initially was £80 with Horizon, then DRP got involved and went to £150 and then Gladstones requested £150. I dont know where they are getting these additional add-ons from.