Letter Before Claim from Gladstones Solicitor for a 2018 PCN! Pls help.

Tamlet

I have received a Letter Before Claim from Gladstones.
This is a claim of December 2018 and they have first communicated with me in October 2020. I am the registered keeper of the car and though I cannot remember how that original parking notice was dealt with. I know at that time I was working at an office based in that building. I still have an ID card but no other proof. They probably can say that I did not park in the designated car bays for my office but I don't think they can prove it with a photo. It was a night job and the parking was totally dark and empty.

I don't think they ever put any PCN on my windshield. They also probably did not communicate with me twice in 2018. So no notice to keep sent. 
In their letter, they did not mention the name of their client or the original company that issued the PCN. 
After reading some of the similar cases here, I have understood that I can send them:
(1) a letter asking for more information.
(2) I have to write to the landlord/main parking fine company and ask about SAR (?). I don't know how to do that.
It's £160 but I am feeling huge anxiety. I don't know why. It's probably some kind of humiliation. 
Any suggestion welcome. 
Thank you in advance. 

KeithP

Hello and welcome.

The second post of the NEWBIES thread tells you exactly how to react upon receipt of a Letter Before Claim.

Most, if not all, of your other questions are answered in that post too.

D_P_Dance

Do not forget to complain to your MP.

Fruitcake

It is not a fine.

You send the SAR to the PPC. The advice on how to do this is in the NEWBIES sticky thread. You will need to include proof of ID such as a copy of the V5C if you still have the vehicle, or a copy of the LBC, or copies of two redacted utility bills of bank/card statements.

Get pics of the site and signage if possible, and/or have a look on Google Streetview to see if at least the entrance and signage is shown.

Your priority is to respond to the LBC, then do the other things as and when convenient.

Note that the charge is £100, not £160. The extra £60 is a fake add on that the scammers repeatedly try to claim but is not allowed. 
The template defence sticky thread explains all this.

Umkomaas

I don't think they ever put any PCN on my windshield.

Who are 'they'?

Do you drive an American vehicle? 🙂

Tamlet

Umkommas,  probably the PPC only send a letter which I missed, and don't use PCNs on windshields. 

Umkomaas

Tamlet said:

Umkommas,  probably the PPC only send a letter which I missed, and don't use PCNs on windshields. 

Which PPC?  

America has windshields. If you're entering the English court system, I'd be using standard UK terms. 

Tamlet

Thank you very much for the help. 

As I have received the LBC only I have prepared an answer. 

I will highly appreciate it if you help me to finalize the letter by suggesting how to improve the draft. 

Dear Sir,

Ref: …………….

I have received your letter before claim, dated xxx xxxx. Your letter says it is regarding:

Your Client: ….

Amount Due: … …

Vehicle Reg: … … …

Your letter states that it is regarding a PCN (Number xxxx xxxxx ) dated xx/xx/xxxx. I am the registered keeper of the car, but I cannot recall the incident or cannot remember whether I received a PCN or whether any step was taken to settle that. I do not possess a copy of the original parking notice or any subsequent documents. To provide a reply I need further information and documents from you.

 I am also requesting your client to supply me data regarding myself and this case, but I am still waiting their reply and right email where I can send my SAR. You can provide me the right email address of your client where I can send my SAR.

I also need to know whether they supplied you with the claim rightly or whether the claim was settled and why they did not contact for the last three years.

 Also, please provide me with copies of the following documents:

 

1.       A copy of the original parking notice and explanation that why a PCN was issued.

2.       A copy of any notice to the keeper issued.

3.       Further correspondence and subsequent documents that your client will seek to rely on.

4.       Photographs of the signs and a site plan.

5.       Proof that the car was parked in a way that committed the alleged offence.

6.       Evidence of your client’s legal capacity in accordance with its Code of Practice Para B 1.1

7.       An explanation and evidence for the Current Charge amount. What you added extra and for what reason.

 Once I would receive your answer with these necessary documents and information, I will take necessary action to settle your claim immediately. Even though I do not agree with your claim, I am taking debt advice on it.

 It would be entirely unreasonable for you to take legal action until you have responded to my request that is entirely in accordance with the Pre-action Protocol for Debt Claims and the Over-riding objective.

 Yours Faithfully

 

 Thank you very much in advance. 

KeithP

Are you going to answer @Umkomaas' questions?

Twice he has asked...

Umkomaas said:

I don't think they ever put any PCN on my windshield.

Who are 'they'?

Umkomaas said:

Tamlet said:

Umkommas,  probably the PPC only send a letter which I missed, and don't use PCNs on windshields. 

Which PPC?  

nosferatu1001

Finalise has an S
Did you try googling PPC name plus DPO? If you could tell us t he PPC name we might even know. Did you try searching the board as well?

Tamlet

Sorry. 
The name of the PPC Is Close Unit Protection.