NON-STOP PCN from Southend Airport ******* Case Dismissed, Now VCS appealing ********

IamWood

Called my local county court, who confirmed the deadline of my WS would be 2 weeks  (21/09/2020) before my hearing date (06/10/2020). 
The WS from VCS has not arrived yet. Should I wait till the last minute?
Thanks so much!

Coupon-mad

Yes, like on every VCS thread, please read loads and find VCS' template WS posted up by someone.  It's better than waiting.  Preview what it will look like.

nosferatu1001

Yep, and as above, you know pretty much 99% of their WS, you do not need to ask any questions about the same tired court cases, you do not need to ask us!
If there is anything novel in their WS - thats where you may want an idea from us.

IamWood

Finally received the docs from VCS today (the deadline). Here it is:

IamWood

Here is mine (WS and Defence) sent to the court.

Some tips and comments to prepare for face to face in court, please?

Thanks a lot!

Coupon-mad

We assume you signed & date that if it's already been sent?  What about your costs assessment (see @robertcox999 's thread today).

AND - get ANGRY and GET EVEN about this scam!   Please now make a real difference:

A TASK FOR SEPTEMBER:

The Government is (this month only) consulting about a new statutory code of practice (CoP) and framework to rein in the rogue parking firms.  Read and comment on the draft CoP proposal and the enforcement framework consultation, and get everyone you know to do the same.

You will need to register to comment on the CoP and enter an occupation even if you are retired or a homemaker, but otherwise it is easy to navigate, and comment upon each section/subsection individually. You can save comments to edit later and or submit comments once you are happy with them.

https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2020-00193#/section

You do not need to register to comment on the enforcement framework which can be found here. It has a link on page 5 to make comments.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/913272/Code_Enforcement_Framework_consultation.pdf

At the very least, we say the parking charge level should be £50/£25 or higher level £70/£35, as per Council PCNs in E&W.  

And we say the added fake 'debt recovery' costs are just double counting the cost of letters and MUST GO.  Remove that layer and you remove the ‘drivers’ behind the race to court.

HOW TO DO THE SUBMISSIONS:

Responses into the PAS 232 and MHCLG framework documents are not completely straightforward:

On the MHCLG response, you have to answer the questions on a 1-5 scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree, and then put some commentary. No way to upload documents or alternatives.

 

On the PAS 232, you have to click on each clause and sub-clause to put your comments, and a suggested rewording of their draft.  You can see comments which other people have written! 

 

But, when you click ‘submit’, a message pops up to say your comments have been received, but that only applies to the particular clause you have just addressed.

 

You have to click ‘submit’ separately for each individual clause response.

 

Some people will be caught out by this but can revisit it and add further responses up to 12 October.

 

 

IamWood

I emailed my WS to VCS through dataprotection@vehiclecontrol.co.uk.
Should I post my WS instead?
Thanks very much!

Umkomaas

IamWood said:

I emailed my WS to VCS through dataprotection@vehiclecontrol.co.uk.
Should I post my WS instead?
Thanks very much!

If they've emailed you their WS, then you emailing them yours is just fine. But they do often state in court they have never received it, so you need to garner some proof that it was emailed.  If you've not had a Mailer-Daemon notification you have a starting point should they try their tricks with the Judge. 

But I'm not sure that the dataprotection@ email is the right one. Do they not have a litigation@ or legal@ address. I'd find as many of their email addresses as possible and wing your WS off to each of them. If you've not already sent your Summary Cost Assessment, get that in too. You also need to send it to the court, it won't be dealt with on the day unless you've submitted it in advance. 

IamWood

Thanks @Umkomaas
VCS posted their WS to me.
I've submitted my Cost Assessment along with my WS to court.
I may well post my WS again to VCS to make sure then.

Umkomaas

IamWood said:

Thanks @Umkomaas
VCS posted their WS to me.
I've submitted my Cost Assessment along with my WS to court.
I may well post my WS again to VCS to make sure then.

If you do, first class post (not recorded/registered/signed for) with a free Certificate of Posting from the PO counter - with that it's deemed to have been delivered two working days afterwards. Should stop them in their 'never seen it Guv' tracks.