Smart Parking, DCB Legal, LoC 2025

christinajane

Any reason why DCB legal would be calling me at this point? Ive had two missed calls from them in as many weeks just recently, I ignored because it came up on my phone as a potential scam number, phone wasn't wrong, and after listening to the voice msgs just now the number is DCB legals.

Gr1pr

Yep, their business model is to mither people to death and try to persuade them into a monetary settlement, commonly known as harassment or bullying in order to try to obtain an early settlement. So normal in these cases

You should be reading and following the 8 steps in the defence template thread in announcements

Ignore DCB LEGAL, follow the 8 steps

christinajane

Just had my mediation call and they tried to settle with me for £220 and then reduced it to £100 after a back and forth. I obviously decline and counter offered with £5. I said they had harassed me with letters and bailiffs threats for the last 3/4 years and its disgusting behaviour how they scare people like this. Anyway, they also declined my £5 counter offer and so apparently its going to go to court, which is a bit intimidating to hear.

The mediator said that everything is confidential and the judge will only know that mediation was unsuccessful, which I am kinda thankful for because I was worried I had given too much away. I said I wouldn't be paying because I wasn't driving the car at the time and as I had moved address the year before my log book address hadn't been updated and so I hadn't got any notices until it had reached the 'bailiff stage'.

Supposedly, because of the backlog, it could take between 6 and 9 months to get to court but circumstances could change in the meantime and either party could still choose to come to an agreement.

I honestly don't understand how they have money to chase these kinda of things up - I mean this 'parking ticket' was nearly 4.5 years ago now.

Coupon-mad

But there will never be a hearing. You realise that ALL these claims are discontinued?

christinajane

Yeah - I know. Its just that momentary 'what if'! 😂 I hope im not the exception to the rule.

But anyway - another hoop jumped through in this ridiculous process. Surely they have better things to do...

christinajane

Hello,

I have received a notice of transfer of proceedings letter yesterday - does this mean that it's for sure going to court or is it just normal procedure and it could still involve a discontinuation?

I have checked and searched the forum and it looks like it could still be discontinued?

Coupon-mad

Of course it will 100% be discontinued later on. See the 8 steps you were following.

christinajane

Hello - Again,

First off - thank you for all the help so far.

A little update, I have just received a 'Notice of Allocation to the small claims track (hearing) letter. It essentially says that the claimant has to pay fees by the 19th June 4pm and if so the hearing will be July 17th. The claimant is smart parking but it has been DCB legal that I have been getting letters from.

I have read a couple of threads and this seems to be expected and a couple of witness statements where suggested to follow if they do pay the court fee e.g. maxim024 and mtrolley123.

Coincidentally, I did get a phone call from DCB legal today, again, which I never answered. Is it now just a case of waiting to see if they pay the court fee and then writing my witness statement, which there is really nothing to say - other than I wasn't driving the car. I think I worry that this is a bit of a shoddy defence, but it is true.

I think I am just a shocked that its been allocated to court so quickly. During mediation the mediator said there is a court backlog and it could take up to 6-9 months. My initial reaction is 'this is quick, they must mean business'. Anyway, suppose its just one of those things, at least it should be over sooner rather than later either way.

I have never had anything like this before so I suppose I just panic a bit. So again, I am sorry for talking about something that I am sure has been answered time and time again by yourselves.

Jenni_D

Even IF they pay the court fee, keep following the 8 steps and prepare your witness statement .. they'll almost certainly file a discontinuance before the hearing date. 😎

Gr1pr

Study page 2 and see what the WS + Exhibits bundle deadline is ( usually 2 weeks before the hearing. )

What is that deadline. ?

Keep your eyes on your email inbox and spam folders for their N279 discontinuation document to arrive next month, before the payment deadline date

If it doesn't arrive, phone the court on 22nd or 23rd June and see if they paid it ( unlikely. ) and check if the hearing is going ahead ( unlikely. ) or has been discontinued or vacated ( more likely. )

Do not allow any contact with dcb legal, nothing coincidental about it, its planned dithering of the defendant, almost harassment, ignore them