Defence/ Witness Statement/ Skeleton arguement.

Chico_talent

Hi to all those people who give up their time to help us. Firstly, let me say how thankful I am to all of you.

I’m currently going through fighting a PCN.

I’ve have read newbies thread and although some points are explained, I thought it might be helpful to people (and me) if some points can be explained.

What is the purpose of the Defense / witness statement / and skeleton defense territory.

I have started to write my defense early In preparation and am worried it crosses into witness statement or skeleton defense.

So my questions are

Defense - what should be included in a defense and how detailed do you make it. Can I use it when I’m at the court or is it only to say you don’t accept the claim.

Witness statement. Is explained a bit more in newbies thread and I’m fairly happy with that. As I see it, it’s a explanation from your point of view.

Defence skeleton - I’ve read newbies thread and this is where I’m confused because it seems like a defense.

I’m sorry if to most of you this seems like obvious stuff but as a newbie, I’ve never been to court or had to defend myself and if I’m a bit confused then I’m sure others have had the same questions.

I have read other people threads but it’s hard to find a thread that has all 3 (defense/witness statement and skeleton) so I couldn’t compare them against each other and see the differences for myself.

Thank you all again and I’m sure I will be asking for help for my defense once I receive the claim from the court.

Le_Kirk

First off, well done for reading the NEWBIE, secondly, you need to read a bit more/again.
Secondly, it's DEFENCE.
Thirdly, there is no such thing as a defence skeleton; are you getting confused with a Skeleton Argument (which is very rarely required).
If you look at NEWBIE post # 2, there are 17 pre-written defence examples. Defences are technical/legal arguments why you should not have to pay the PCN and are written in the Third Person. Witness Statements (WS) are a narrative, the story of what happened on the day and subsequently and are written in the First Person. Most threads that go to court stage will have a defence, WS and Cost Schedule. If you haven't seen any, you need to look again. There are several today.

Umkomaas

Defense - what should be included in a defense

Definitely no ‘s’ for starters!

There are 17 examples in the NEWBIES FAQ sticky, post #2 to have a look through and select (and adapt) one that closely matches your case. Please note, there will be no absolute match in every detail.

Witness statement. Is explained a bit more in newbies thread and I’m fairly happy with that. As I see it, it’s a explanation from your point of view.

Correct. Composed in the first person.

Defence skeleton - I’ve read newbies thread and this is where I’m confused because it seems like a defense.

No such thing. If you mean ‘Skeleton Argument’, it’s not essential in the small claims court. But if you want to submit one (done a few days before the hearing), think of it as a crib list of points you’d wish the Judge to cover - a bit like an aide memoire; it’s not an excuse to regurgitate an amalgamation of the Defence and WS.

I’m sorry if to most of you this seems like obvious stuff but as a newbie, I’ve never been to court or had to defend myself

Nor me ....... nor 90% of the regulars here, but it’s amazing what research and commitment can do!

Chico_talent

Sorry for the s in defence. American autocorrect gets everywhere!!

Thank you for the clarification. And the defence I submit after the claim has started I also include in my defence pact that I bring to the the court.

And yes I meant the skeleton argument. It was the similarity of that and the defence that was getting me a bit confused.

And yes I have read a lot of others defences and they are all seemed very good. However some didn’t cover some point I wanted to include in mine and was worried that my other point were more for a witness statement.

However I’m sure you lot will be there for when I do get the court notice and I will submit my own defence for comments.

Part of me is hoping it goes to court and the PPC doesn’t pull out as I’m curious to what they will say in responce to my points.

Umkomaas

Part of me is hoping it goes to court and the PPC doesn’t pull out as I’m curious to what they will say in responce to my points.

Tell us which PPC, as advice can vary depending on which one is involved.

in responce to my points.

American autocorrect gets everywhere!!

Seems like it’s completely f*cked!

Chico_talent

Tell us which PPC, as advice can vary depending on which one is involved.

It’s premier Parking Solutions (PPS) in Newton abbott

Coupon-mad

So read all the other PPS defence threads and crib from them if need be.