Covid effect on bylaws

loofaker

Dear All,

I am a first time poster so please bear with me.
I received a PCN from SABA for parking on Railway properly incorrectly (paid my ticket but not in designated bay) last November (19). I have run the usual ping pong mail routine but am now receiving the threatening letters (some quoting Railway ByeLaws) initially from their Debt Collectors' and am now receiving threatening letters now from their so called solicitors QDR. So far I* have ignored the lot. 
I was of the understanding that if you get past the 6 months mark and then you're first past the post I then tell them I am taking legal advise about their continued harassment?
Question is, does the current Covid 19 situation allow them to extend the 6 month time limit as per the byelaws? Or am I in the 'clear'
Any advice most gratefully taken.

King Regards

Loofaker

Le_Kirk

Are they debt collector letters or are they letter before/of claim, i.e. do they offer 14 days or 30 days to respond/pay?  Do they contain full particulars of claim?

Coupon-mad

There is no leeway - once you reach 6 months you are safe.  The 6 month limitation is written in statute.

Fruitcake

As far as I am aware, byelaws are not affected by the covid outbreak. I can't think of any reason why they would be since trains and train operating companies have not been shut down.

Harassment is very hard to prove so I wouldn't go down that route. Debt crawlers or debt crawlers using solicitors headed letters have no powers and can be ignored. The fact that SABA are using them implies they know they are out of time.

You could contact the scammers stating that since prosecution of the alleged event is now statute barred by the Magistrate's Act, they should cancel now and delete the keeper's data in order to save themselves money.

D_P_Dance

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP., it can cause the scammer extra costs, and in some cases, cancellation. 

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, many of whom are former clampers, 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 later this year,

Just as the clampers were finally closed down, so hopefully will many of these companies, 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/of these Private Parking Companies.

loofaker

Dear All,
Many thanks for your prompt and useful replies. I now feel confident to respond more robustly to these scammers. There is rather along story relating to the two PCN's issued but I won't bore you with the detail. Suffice to say, I did pay for parking in advance and intend to take 'my story' to my MP and indeed if I can to the press. As soon as I have given the scammers notice  (so far I have not responded to any of their demands for payment, just kept kicking the can down the road in the first place to get over the 6 months line.) to take a hike I'll hopefully reveal more detail. 
Apologies if the above seems a little arrogant, but like most if I think somebody is 'taking me for a loan' I get a little annoyed.
Will keep you posted 

Kind Regards

Coupon-mad

intend to take 'my story' to my MP and indeed if I can to the press. 

Don't forget to add your experience and voice to the public consultation when the new Code of Practice invites public comments.

nosferatu1001

Was it a penalty ticket, for sure? 

loofaker

There were two PCN's one in October 19 and the other Nov 19. Different people were driving on each occasion. I'm still expecting some communication from QDR their 'solicitors' as I have told them to desist from any more of their drivel and I am taking action re an invoice that I have sent to them (for onpass to SABA) will keep you posted.

nosferatu1001

That didnt answer the question I asked.