DCBL Notice of Debt Recovery - Northern Ireland

Hersheys44

I received the above letter for an incident that occurred in 2019.

The letter states that £170 needs to be paid within 14 days or they will be recommending their client to commence legal action against me. 
It also says the case is not subject to High court or bailiff action.

I see from the newbies forum that it is recommended for those in Northern Ireland to complain to store management. Seeing as this occurred 3 years ago, what are my options or next steps?

I didn't reply to the previous letters from the PPC as everyone I asked asked about it locally said to do so, saying that the fines weren't enforceable. These stopped within the year of the incident.

Is court really an option if this letter is ignored? I see in other forums it is stated that a letter from DCB legal that requires a response within 30 days is the court related letter, do these be sent out often if the initial letter is ignored? I really want to avoid the hassle of courts.

Thanks.

Fruitcake

They are not fines if they come from a private unregulated parking company. You haven't told us which one it is.
The vehicle keeper cannot be held liable in NI. Never reveal the driver's identity. The best way to do this is to never respond to the PPC.

The Keeper should always complain to the landowner and their MP.
Ignore debt collectors anywhere in the UK. They have no powers.

Coupon-mad

Ignore it (because you are in NI and are untouchable) but do as the NEWBIES thread says.

patient_dream

As above .... DCBL will know that NI is out of bounds so it's a try on

Whilst you ignore this, you have the Consumer council in NI and they don't like parking companies let alone English legals who add fakes such as the £70

https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/

You should send a copy of the DCBL letter as they will no doubt be scamming many people in NI.  You should suggest that this scam be reported to the SRA ... The Solicitors Regulation Authority

D_P_Dance

Hve you considered a complaint to Trading Standards and our MP?

Hersheys44

Update:
Thanks to everyone who replied! 

I contacted the consumer council for advice as recommended by a colleague in a similar situation. 

They said that they have had number of people phoning in this week with the same issue, so DCBL must have bought the debt from the PPC for a load of parking tickets. 

They’re going to contact the PPC and ask do they have evidence that i was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident and get the ticket cancelled if there is none. 

The person i spoke with was positive about the situation, as it is often a numberplate recognition camera that these company’s use to track people’s time. They had even got 5 cancelled that day. 

So i’m hoping that I can get the ticket cancelled in this way (Fingers crossed).

I’ll post an update when i hear more.

Thanks again. 

Fruitcake

DCBL aren't allowed to buy the debt, but will instead be working for the PPC on a no win no fee basis.

Well done on progressing this, but please do complain to the landowner and your MP as well, pointing out that it is putting people off from visiting and spending money there.

Hersheys44

Will the mp or landowner be able to cancel the ticket? 

Will i have to provide evidence or anything? 

Umkomaas

The landowner can do so directly with the PPC if it is they who contracted with the PPC. Ideally you need to find out who the contracting party is - but the PPC won't help you with that one. 

The MP can't cancel it directly, but can bring pressure to bear on the PPC (or perhaps the landowner) to cancel. 

Coupon-mad

Well done for involving the Consumer Council.  I'd forgotten that a previous poster in NI got a PCN cancelled that way, last year.

patient_dream

Hersheys44 said:

Will the mp or landowner be able to cancel the ticket? 

Will i have to provide evidence or anything? 

The Consumer Council is powerful  and well above the means of DCBL and can give immense grief to DCBL

The other year, another dodgy legal called CST Law on behaldf of UKPC pulled this trick in Scotland ?  They were scuppered and investigated by the SRA.

This may well happen to DCBL

Yes complain to your MP and landowner, telling both it is with the Consumer Council

And if you can, contact the media in NI to warn people about DCBL