Private parking company chasing me after three years

jicms

Hello. I have received a Letter Before Claim from a solicitor pursuing me for a fine issued three years ago. At the time my appeal was rejected. I have since disposed of all correspondence and evidence. Is it legal to demand payment plus costs after all this time?

Coupon-mad

Yep.  Six years is the limitation period for small claims in E&W.  It's not a fine.  It's just alleged breach of contract.

You need to read the 2nd post of the NEWBIES thread first.

Which PPC and which solicitor?  Acronyms are all explained in the 5th post of the NEWBIES thread (see my signature below for how to hop back and read the Announcement thread first).

jicms

UK Car Park Management, Gladstones Solicitors.
Thank you. I'll read the newbies post.

Coupon-mad

And any Gladstones or UKCPM thread too, have a read.

jicms

I requested a SAR and informed Gladstones. Not heard anything from either yet. I'm too stressed already to cope with the process and going to court so have decided I'll have to pay up. Is there any way I can refuse to pay the admin costs or would this only happen at the court stage?

Coupon-mad

You don't have to pay up.  Please don't!

People don't even go to court these days.  It's either a phone hearing or the parking firms commonly discontinue before the hearing.  This is not what you think.  Not scary.

jicms

I'd rather not let them win of course but I just can't follow what to do. The info is so comprehensive I've found it overwhelming. There seem to be so many documents and deadline dates and I'm not very confident.

Coupon-mad

We'll help you through every stage till you win.  It isn't that complicated.  The defence is 90% written for you already.   Easy stuff at this LBC stage and when the claim arrives.  Copy and paste.

jicms

The deadline to pay is in two days which I would do if it wasn't for their "admin charges".
What should I do as I've had no confirmation from Gladstones to my request to put it on hold for 30 days. 

KeithP

Gladstones have no obligation to respond to your request, although any decent company would of course.

They do however have to honour your request and that buys you time to do further research. Keep reading the second post of the NEWBIES thread together with the template Defence thread.

D_P_Dance

If you pay your money could well end up in the hands of drug lords and people smugglers,  These companies are scammers, do not pay.  If they take you to court that are very unlokely to win, they are trying to scare and bully you.  Have you complained to your MP?