DCBL Scotland - chasing for £170 unpaid parking charge

GD24

Hi, I wonder if anyone would be able to assist me please?

I received a Parking Charge Notice from Civil Enforcement Limited for a vehicle owned by me being parked on private land back in January 2001.  This private land is owned by a nursery, and due to covid lockdown restrictions in place in Scotland at that time, the nursery was closed (however the car park was open).  

Civil Enforcement Limited sent several letters (I think about 4), then I got a couple from ZZPS Ltd, and they have now passed this on to Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd, and they have written to me with a Notice of Debt Recovery - unpaid parking charge of £170, with reference to a Supreme Court Decision from November 2015 and pursuing payment through County Court (I thought that was an England and Wales process).  It does say that "This case is not subject to High Court or bailiff action, however should you fail to contact us, we will recommend to our client the commencement of legal action against you."

I have not contacted either Civil Enforcement Limited, ZZPS or DCBL, so have not acknowledged receipt of these letters.  

I am looking for some advice on whether just to pay it (easy option just to stop the threat), or ignore the letters and threats, or to ask DCBL to 'prove' the debt and prove the parking charge was legitimate.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Fruitcake

2001? Is that a typo?  CEL didn't exist back then.

Did you miss the specific advice in the sticky Announcement for NEWBIES regarding Scotland and NI?

If the keeper lives in Scotland (vehicle ownership is irrelevant) then the advice is always to complain to the landowner, and your MSP, and to ignore everything else.

Note this advice will change sometime next year when the new Scottish Transport Bill comes into play. Your dear leader has a lot to answer for in that regard.

Debt collectors are powerless and can safely be ignored across all nations within the UK.
The Supreme Court decision doesn't apply to Scotland, and you are right, Scotland doesn't have county courts. They are talking borax.

GD24

Apologies - should have said "parked on private land back in January 2021".   

pogofish

Post Four of the Newbies Sticky covers debt vultures in Scotland and England entirely.

GD24

Many thanks - sorry, I'm not too familiar with how these boards work.  I've now hunted around and found the NEWBIES link in the section on Parking Tickets, Fines and Parking page.  Apologies, I should have read that initially.  

I appreciate your help, and I'll just ignore these letters.

Note this advice will change sometime next year when the new Scottish Transport Bill comes into play. Your dear leader has a lot to answer for in that regard.

Debt collectors are powerless and can safely be ignored across all nations within the UK.
The Supreme Court decision doesn't apply to Scotland, and you are right, Scotland doesn't have county courts. They are talking borax.

Jenni_D

Whilst our "dear leader" has agreed to enact POFA in Scotland, it will only apply for PCNs issued after that enactment date - it won't be retrospective.  

ParkingPrince29

Hi guys, I am happy to help with any such matters as these. I have a a wealth of experience in the parking industry both debt recovery and parking law and can assist in getting such companies to stop contacting you. 

Jenni_D

amerdass said:

Hi guys, I am happy to help with any such matters as these. I have a a wealth of experience in the parking industry both debt recovery and parking law and can assist in getting such companies to stop contacting you. 

With all due respect, while you may be acting in good faith your bona fides are unknown so I would suggest that people don't PM you looking for help - too many times we have had PPC stooges here causing trouble and giving people terrible advice over PM.

Coupon-mad

amerdass said:

Hi guys, I am happy to help with any such matters as these. I have a a wealth of experience in the parking industry both debt recovery and parking law and can assist in getting such companies to stop contacting you. 

I am sorry but we can't tell a poster to pm you when you have fewer posts than I can count on one hand.

If you REALLY want to help us here and you worked for a PPC or a DRA.then you most certainly might have something useful to tell us all, as a whistleblower.

If so, if you want to help this forum please start a new discussion thread telling us your background (without naming companies) and invite the VERY knowledgeable regulars here to ask you stuff on your thread.  Could be useful,

ParkingPrince29

Hi there, are you able to upload or take a picture of the letter from Dcbl? 

In terms of you being domiciled in Scotland DCBL and CEL would have jurisdiction issued and they have zero intention of instructing a Scottish lawyer to pursue the debt, as the cost would
outweigh the fine with no guarantee on success their end so nothing to really gain. 

What I am curious about is the wording on the letter, as it could give rise to a complaint to the BPA or any regulator that would force the letter to have to be amended and cause Industry disruption. 

Any further questions just ask. 

Thanks 

Coupon-mad

@ParkingPrince29
You are the same poster as yesterday but with a new name, we can see.

Could you start that new thread today, telling us what you said you would about your industry background? You say you have some knowledge. We have 15 years worth but it's good to learn more.

Having a whistleblower here might be useful but we are understandably wary and need to know a bit more. Also - what made you come to MSE. What do you think if the PPC industry, and the roboclaim or DRA aggressive thugs who ruin people's peace of mind?

Are you the ex BW Legal person? Just wondering because that person runs a business and as I expect you saw in the rules, MSE can't be used for that.