Parking ticket from VCS and rejected appeal as keeper (not driver) - next steps?

88engine

Hi all. I've now received a Claim Form from the County Court Business Centre. Not sure what it is or what to. Any thoughts, help suggestions etc? 

Ralph-y

newbies thread has a whole section on court action

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4816822/newbies-private-parking-ticket-old-or-new-read-these-faqs-first-thankyou

Ralph

nosferatu1001

Yep, the newbies thread shockingly tells you exactly what to do
What is teh ISSUE DATE on your claim form? 
Are they claiming £160 plus the allowed court fees such as the £25 filing fee?

pould

nosferatu1001 said:

Yep, the newbies thread shockingly tells you exactly what to do
What is teh ISSUE DATE on your claim form? 
Are they claiming £160 plus the allowed court fees such as the £25 filing fee?

Yes, important to break down what they are claiming. They *are* allowed to claim against you the £100 and the filing fee (though they will lose in court if you defend properly). What they are NOT allowed to do is add on any extra charges beyond the initial £100 because for a parking charge this is against the law. In the past few months we've seen county court judges dismiss whole claims because extra amounts have been added on and the courts are now starting to realise that these are against the law and act accordingly. So if VCS' solicitors have added any extra amount on your position is actually strengthened as long as you produce a defence, in time, according to that which is outlined in the Newbies thread.

Umkomaas

88engine said:

Hi all. I've now received a Claim Form from the County Court Business Centre. Not sure what it is or what to. Any thoughts, help suggestions etc? 

I'm amazed you weren't ready for this as you were forewarned of the possibility four months ago. These things don't go away on their own!

Coupon-mad

Wow, not sure what a claim form is or what to do, despite being here and knowing the NEWBIES thread tells you, and that this was expected? 

I worry about how you will cope with defending in court (or via a telephone hearing maybe) if you don't read what to expect despite everything being here for you all the time.  This is clearly the point where this is winnable.

88engine

Many thanks to @pould and @nosferatu1001 for the advice. I will read the newbies thread again to prepare a defence. As others have pointed out, it has been some time since receiving the initial charge and one cannot prepare for something that hasn't happened. 

The claim is for £160 + £25 "court fee". Sounds as thought this is fairly standard. I don't want to put too many specifics on here, as I've been warned off that before because they can identify me on here...but the issue date is end of May 2020; why does that matter for info?

Umkomaas

but the issue date is end of May 2020; why does that matter for info?

Jeez, what precise date in May?  If you haven't acknowledged service of the claim (AOS), you're getting perilously close to a Judgment in Default and a CCJ. 

Fruitcake

Of course you can prepare yourself for something that hasn't happened. By law you have to have vehicle insurance for events that haven't happened. 
You were warned that a court case was going to happen, and it has. 

If you give the precise date of issue, you will get precise dates of deadlines from the next stages in the process.

We ask questions for specific reasons. If you are vague with your answers then you will only get vague advice at best, or possibly no advice, or at worst, incorrect advice. Please answer ALL questions asked by the regulars. This includes the breakdown of the £160 charge. We already know about the £25 and £50 charges that are permitted. We want to know about the charges that aren't permitted, unless you don't defend them.

KeithP

One post on 1st February. Next post 1st June. Four months gap.

Questions were asked of you over two weeks ago but absolutely no response.

Do you want help or not?

@88engine, you appear to be sleepwalking into a Default Judgment against you.