UK PARKING PATROL FORCE - RECEIVED CCJ

vnds_t

Hi,

First post, just want to thank you for all the resources I have received so far before signing up.
So I recently received a CCJ for a private parking fine for being 2 minutes over the allocated time.

Quick backstory:
I was doing an event at Box Park Wembley in November 2019, we were requested to unload at Humphry Repton Lane, little did I know that it had a 20 minute parking limit and I amongst multiple sellers had to unload 200 boxes of shoes in the allotted time period. The entrance is a pretty narrow corridor based on the circumstances and some sellers are huge companies taking down full exhibition stands so the time limit is a little bit of a joke really, and to be hit for being 2 minutes over the time is an insult. The signage displayed wasn't great either and I know multiple sellers got sent the same parking fine because 20 mins is just not a realistic amount of time to pack stock. I was in a hired van from Enterprise, which was in a friend's name as his brother works for Enterprise and I received a little employee discount.

A few weeks later, the dreaded letter arrived to my friends address, I told him to ignore it, they sent another and he was getting quite stressed about it so I told him to give them my details and eventually the letter came my way. The letter states that the time was recorded over ANPR, not sure if this makes a difference. They were first requesting £60 for 2 minutes lateness, by the time the letter came to me, it was already at £100. I tried to call UK Parking Patrol and I couldn't get through, eventually gave up and now it's December 2021 and I've received a CCJ after ignoring and ignoring through the pandemic. They're now requesting £259.52, I've checked and confirmed that it's an official letter.

So I did the first steps of acknowledging service that extended my time to submit a defence, my letter is dated 19 November 2019 so I believe I have until Monday or Tuesday next week to submit, I'd like to get it out of the way by latest tomorrow if possible. I just wanted advice on what I've written on my defence is correct and would be grateful if you could let me know if I should add or remove anything. I'll be going back to the location to take images of the signage when necessary.

2. It is admitted that the Defendant was the registered keeper of the vehicle in question at the time recorded but liability is denied. The Defendant does admit to being the driver of the hire vehicle registration: xx68 xxx.

3. The Defendant saw the signs, but it was dark and did not agree to them being adequately lit. The signs also have vague/hidden terms and a mix of small fonts that are difficult to read in the dark.

If you need any other information, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.

vnds_t

letter is dated 19 November 2021*

KeithP

Hello and welcome.

Have you actually received a CCJ - a County Court Judgment - or have you received a County Court Claim?

It looks like a Claim that has been received.

vnds_t

Sorry a County Court Claim.

Trainerman

I think you mean that you have a communication from MCOL about a case that you want to defend. In which case you do not have a CCJ, you are dealing with a claim. As regards your first stab at defence, I would look at para 3 again. Last thing I would be doing is saying I saw the signs ! Nor would I use the word "agree"

KeithP

Are you sure you want to admit to being the driver?
A keeper has more protection in law than a driver, especially where a hired vehicle is involved.

What is the Issue Date on that Claim Form?
Upon what date did you file an Acknowledgment of Service?
Your MCOL Claim History will have the definitive answer to that.

D_P_Dance

Have you read the newbies?   If not please do so then come back with any questions you may have. 

vnds_t

What is the Issue Date on that Claim Form? 19 November 2021
Upon what date did you file an Acknowledgment of Service? 06 December
Have you read the newbies? I have read it.

Are you sure you want to admit to being the driver?
A keeper has more protection in law than a driver, especially where a hired vehicle is involved.
Do you have more info on this please, that's why I'm here to get this kind of advice.

Thanks.

Trainerman

If the hirer or registered keeper has not received a POFA compliant notice, then the keeper cannot be held liable. THEN if no one says who the driver was, they will have great difficulty in going any further

KeithP

vnds_t said:

What is the Issue Date on that Claim Form? 19 November 2021
Upon what date did you file an Acknowledgment of Service? 06 December

With a Claim Issue Date of 19th November, and having filed an Acknowledgment of Service in a timely manner, you have until 4pm on Wednesday 22nd December 2021 to file your Defence.

That's a little over a week away. Plenty of time to produce a Defence, but please don't leave it to the last minute.

To create a Defence, and then file a Defence by email, look at the second post in the NEWBIES thread.

Don't miss the deadline for filing a Defence.

Do not try and file a Defence via the MoneyClaimOnline website. Once an Acknowledgment of Service has been filed, the MCOL website should be treated as 'read only'.

vnds_t

So if the hire company, Enterprise, has given the parking company my friends details and he's given them my details, can I still say I wasn't the driver of the vehicle?