At letter before claim stage - UK CPM

regular_john

Hi all,

I'll try and keep this very brief as I know how busy this forum is and how much effort you put into responses (keep up the amazing work btw!)

In May of 2016 I was working as a junior doctor in a hospital just outside of Brighton. The hospital was right next to some private land (apartments I think) and there was no clear distinction between the hospital car parks and the private land. I got a PCN from UK CPM for parking on the private land, which I mistook for being part of the hospital. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't find any contact information for the landowners so could not appeal directly to them. The PCN I got from UK CPM looked very dodgy - it referred to an ATA that didn't seem to exist (Independent Parking Committee - which I have since learned was the old name for International Parking Community), featured an 0845 number with no indication of cost, and a number of other bits and pieces that rang alarm bells. As a result, I didn't call UK CPM as I was a bit anxious about receiving a whacking great phone bill for calling their number.

I sent responses in writing to them as per the advice on this forum (the initial responses as detailed in the newbie thread), which I received no response to other than more of their presumably automated letters. Inevitably, it moved on to the debt collectors stage (Debt Recovery Plus) and then all went quiet for a few years. A couple of months ago, I received the Gladstones letter - LBC, so now I feel like I have to engage a bit to save myself the hassle of going to court, facing a CCJ etc. (hoping to move house soon - definitely don't want a CCJ). They've added all the usual charges for debt collection, admin etc. I suspect all the standard stuff they usually do, doubt there's anything unique about mine.

I sent a response to Gladstones saying I dispute the debt and sent a SAR to UK CPM. I've received my response to that today and found the following:

1. They don't seem to have any record of two of the letters I've sent, which I thankfully have copies of
2. They included a letter they sent in response to my first letter, however I never received this response
3. The pictures they have at my vehicle were all taken within 60 seconds of each other, so they have no proof that my car was in that car park for any more than 60 seconds.

I wonder if the last point is enough for me to be confident this will all be dismissed.

Should I be concerned?
Given point 3. is there any realistic chance they could win?
I'm also a bit anxious as I haven't heard any more from Gladstones, I've checked the status of my account through their site and it still says 'letter before claim', however I've read horror stories about people getting CCJs without seeming to have received any documentation beyond the LBC. Is that possible?

I'm really sorry in advance if these are silly questions, or have been answered elsewhere. I've read through the newbie thread and as many other relevant posts as I can find but I'm just a bit confused by it all.

I'd be very grateful for any support. Thanks in advance.

Coupon-mad

Welcome!

Brighton is near my stomping ground.  Which hospital and which site was the car parked on?  

I've read horror stories about people getting CCJs without seeming to have received any documentation beyond the LBC. Is that possible?

Not if the LBC had the right address and you don't move and not tell them.  You won't get a CCJ if you follow our advice.

You have a good case, be confident.  Even if they win you don't get a CCJ because you'd just pay (less than the exaggerated claim).