JLA 'stopping' charge

Anchovie

Received below from VCS. Should the hirer make a counter offer to VCS of the 'pick up' charge (which I think is £ 5.00) to show CCBC that we have also tried to resolve this or could that be taken as an admission that the Hirer was also the Driver?  

Redx

The CCBC is just a government office , they won't care ! Not interested in the details , just tick boxes and CCBC fees being paid !

Once their procedures are complete they will pass the parcel to your local nominated court !

Go back to the list , it tells you that this will happen , do not abandon the 12 numbered steps list

Everyone gets a similar template letter like that ( so I would not be offering anything , it costs them £35 in CCBC fees alone ! )

Coupon-mad

I think you could offer the pick up charge as a gesture of goodwill and state it is without admission of liability.

Head it WITHOUT PREJUDICE SAVE AS TO COSTS

You must not refer to these offers in your witness statement or in court, except at the end when it comes to talking about costs.

Anchovie

Court date received and WS done based on the latest from Coupon-Mad, with help from Disruptive Lad and Router66. Will submit WS on Friday.  Received below from VCS yesterday: I'm sure the they can't add any further costs so is this a hollow threat to add £ 220? Is it worth referring to this in the WS? 

Jenni_D

It's the usual bluff and bluster from them ... and is sometimes the prelude to them discontinuing. You can counter-offer with a drop-hands offer - they cancel the claim and both parties walk away bearing their own costs - also sent WPSATC, thus you can also show that to the court and so claim costs for unreasonable conduct by them.

KeithP

"Without prejudice - save as to costs" means that you cannot refer to that letter until such time as costs are being discussed.

So no, you must not refer to it in your Witness Statement.

Anchovie

Thanks Jenni_D and KeithP. POC are claiming land is private. Don't know if below is of use to anyone else (from a friend that works in Utilities: 

Coupon-mad

That does look useful!

Anchovie

Sorry for not updating. My wife would not attend court on the day (which I advised the court of before the day but judge didn't see the email). I attended but Judge would not allow me to speak. Advised me to settle with claimants barrister in a separate office, which I did as my wife had had enough.... 

Umkomaas

Thank you for update @Anchovie and sorry it didn't turn out as hoped. Often other life priorities prevent an optimal outcome, but glad you've now got this case out of your hair.