DCB legal - Letter of claim

helpadviseneeded

Hi all 
I have been checking the MCOL website daily and nothing else is showing on there regarding the DQ. Nothing has come in the post either since the letter on 16th Sept. Shall I hold on a bit longer or shall I download a DQ?

KeithP

In an earlier post I wrote...

Can I suggest that you keep checking your MCOL Claim History and as soon as you see that the CCBC has sent a DQ to you, you are ready to download a DQ, complete it and fire it back to the CCBC, remembering to send a copy to the Claimant of course?

Nothing has changed.

helpadviseneeded

Ok, I will keep checking. Thanks 

helpadviseneeded

Having checked MCOL daily there is an update:
DQ filed by claimant on 23/09/2022 DQ sent to you on 23/09/2022

I have read the newbies thread and it was advised above that once it shows as sent for me to download a DQ.

I have done this and it is brings up a N180 Directions questionnaire (small claims track) (06.22)

I can fill this form out online and have started to fill it out:

Where it says: 

IN THE - I have copied what they put on theres which was THE COUNTY COURT BUSINESS CENTRE

I have added the claim number

I have added my husbands name in the relevant box

I have put crosses in the boxes and left the word DEFENDANT

Then I have followed the guidelines however when it gets to:

D	Suitability for determination without a hearing

it doesn't match with the guideline on the newbie thread - 

The thread shows section D1, D2, D3 and D4 but the form I have only has D1 and then moves to 

E	About the hearing

Hearing venue
E1 - I have googled this and there is one down the road - do I just add that address in?

As it doesn't match up, am I looking at the wrong thread? My downloaded form also includes E3 witnesses and E4 hearing and 
E5: 

1. E5  Do you believe you, or a witness who will give evidence on your behalf, are vulnerable in any way which the court needs to consider?

   
   

   Then it ends with

   Signature

   You must sign this form

   
   

   Can my husband type his name in there? Or will the form need to be printed and scanned on. 

Also once filled out  do I save as a PDF and email to the court at the same address I sent the defence to:

CCBCAQ@Justice.gov.uk

and also copy to the claimant:

info@dcblegal.co.uk (this was the email address on their N180)


Many thanks as always.

Coupon-mad

Same question asked and answered an hour ago:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79508410/#Comment_79508410

Also once filled out  do I save as a PDF and email to the court at the same address I sent the defence to:
CCBCAQ@Justice.gov.uk
and also copy to the claimant:
info@dcblegal.co.uk (this was the email address on their N180)

Yes.

Le_Kirk

The N180 form has recently changed to add "suitability for determination without a hearing".  If you find poster @Grizebeck and go to their profile you will find a discussion all about this new additions and the forum's response.  You do NOT want the "without a hearing" as you will lose!  They ask about witnesses so that they can arrange a suitably sized room.  You can (well your husband can) sign it digitally or sign a piece of white paper and take a photo and add that image to the bottom of the N180 OR as you say, you can print it, sign and scan it.  It is fine to use an e-mail for the claimant (or their solicitors) if they have previously used it for communication with you.

helpadviseneeded

I emailed over the form yesterday to the email address: ccbcaq@justice.gov.uk and
for UKPC info@dcblegal.co.uk which was the address on the letter they sent. 

Today I have received the form in the post. 
It is the slightly different form (2014) version but I understand the downloaded 2022 version I sent will suffice.
I received an automatic reply from both.

The letter states I have to file this form by 10th October 2022 so I have done so in plenty of time

I have already put together most of the witness statement so I understand that will be the next step. 

Is it best that I send that over as soon as they request it or do I wait for the claimants WS first?

KeithP

helpadviseneeded said:

I have already put together most of the witness statement so I understand that will be the next step. 

Is it best that I send that over as soon as they request it or do I wait for the claimants WS first?

The wisdom here is to file and serve your Witness Statement and evidence as late as possible but without missing deadlines - for at least two good reasons...

1. you give the Claimant less opportunity to pick holes in your submission and at the same time reduce their ability to remedy any shortcomings in their case that you have highlighted, and
2. By leaving your filing to the last possible moment, you are hoping to be able to do the same - i.e. spot the mistakes in their feeble attempt. 

helpadviseneeded

@KeithP

Thank you Keith for your wise words, after the 10th October which was the deadline for the DQ, I will keep an eye on MCOL which will hopefully update so I know next steps as the letter was dated 23rd Sept and only arrived today (28th)

KeithP

The next step is for the case to be transferred to a hearing court and at that point the CCBC and MCOL play no further part in the game.