UKPC Directions Questionnaire stage - ticket machine would not accept coins

barbaduday

I received a PCN back in 2019 which UKPC is now taking to Claim via DCB Legal.  Was hoping they'd discontinue after I submitted my defence but no such luck.  
I've used the template defence provided on the forum, describing in section 3 how I was unable to purchase a ticket as the sole machine wouldn't accept coins and no alternative form of payment is provided.  Also noted that the machine is notoriously unreliable and the subject of a recent petition to the Landowner by nearly 100 regular users of the car park, requesting that the machine(s) be replaced/upgraded.
I intend to include with my witness statement a copy of this petition, along with emails I have sent to the Landowner reporting faults with the machine in the past (although unfortunately not on the date the PCN was issued).

Any advice for preparation of Witness Statement and arguments for defence in Court would be much appreciated.

Coupon-mad

Great to here you are on the right path already.  Yes you should append all those exhibits to your WS.  Latest example to copy and adapt is the WS posted by @aphex007 and also look at the one by @wobs2k

barbaduday

Thanks for the refs to the example WS's - very useful.  I note that there's a new section on the DQ N180 form as of June 2022:

Suitability for determination without a hearing
D1: Do you consider that this claim is suitable for determination without a hearing, i.e. by a judge reading and considering the case papers, witness statements and other documents filed by the parties, making a decision, and giving a note of reasons for that decision?  Yes/No

If No, please state why not
__________________________________________________________

What's the advice here?  Personally I'd prefer to present my defence in person, but unsure that this alone would be a valid reason to answer No.

Coupon-mad

That's obviously been discussed. Thread by @Grizebeck earlier this month.