Court Claim Defence Help - Parked in Friend's Allocated Space

Mouse007

Gosh, that was unlucky. Thanks for posting.

Coupon-mad

Banana2022 said:

Hi everyone,

It's been a couple of weeks since my court date now so just thought I'd update you on what went on.

Unfortunately I lost my case and had to pay £212 to VCS. Extremely annoying...

BUT

Please don't let what happened to me put you off challenging these scammers. The only reason I lost is because I hadn't parked in my friend's allocated space in the first place. I genuinely thought I was parked there so was an honest mistake but unfortunately this made my whole case flop.

The Judge was extremely kind and understanding towards me. He shouted at the Claimant's rep within 5 minutes of being in the room. They are clearly sick of these kinds of cases coming through from these companies. The Claimant hadn't even noticed I wasn't in her space either, the Judge actually figured it out from a image in the Claimant's witness statement.

If I had been in her space I absolutely would have won. The final charge was £100 for the fine and £112 in fees, the £60 'debt collectors' fees was easy to dismiss thanks to Parking Eye vs. Beavis. The Judge also gave me a 3 month deadline to pay instead of 2 weeks as he was very sympathetic. The scammers have since sent me a horrible letter saying they 'won a CCJ against me' and I must pay soon or they will send bailiffs...

They haven't got a CCJ against me yet, that will only happen if I don't pay before the deadline. They also have no legal right to send bailiffs before the deadline... They are the most awful people and we must stop them doing this to vulnerable people. 

It was tough pulling all the paperwork together but overall the court experience was really fun. I'd definitely do it again to teach these scammers a lesson, but I'll make sure my evidence is actually solid next time!!

Thanks so much everyone for all your help getting this together, until next time

Many thanks for coming back to report the outcome; it all helps others.  Does sound unlucky - what a thorough Judge!

Do stick around to respond to the Government's private parking Public Consultation online later this year.

Just read and bookmark the thread by MSE_JC at the top of the forum, and set your profile to allow email alerts to bookmarked threads.  If you don't know what I am talking about, the latest posts on that Announcement do explain.

I am sure you have something to say about the extortionate level of parking charges and the false added £60/£70 which fuels the litigation rush?

This will be the one chance for real motorists who have experienced the bullyboy culture of parking firms, to make a permanent difference for the future.