Court Tuesday making me feel I'll - read until the end!

lissylou

Court date is set for Tuesday 27th July and the closer it gets the more it makes me feel ill.  I know it's too late to notify the court of non attendance but what's the likely scenario if I don't attend? 

I know this groups supports attending and provides so much information and advice but need to prioritise  my mental health

And I know you definitely won't want to hear this but is it too late to pay Gladstones and make this go away?  

Trainerman

You probably could pay them and it would go away, but do you really want to ? It means accepting being bullied and probably paying more than you would if you went and lost. Certainly you should not just avoid going. That would almost certainly be a very expensive failure.

I understand and respect you mental health comment, but if you cross this hurdle, even if you attend and lose, would you not then feel even better for having had a go at these bullies?.

Listen to those that have been there. Everybody is nervous, I expect, but it probably is not as bad as the imagination makes it ! Don't forget that you may well win, particularly with support from here. Is there anyone who could go with you to offer moral support??

This is a very understanding forum, and I think you will be supported whatever you decide. Good Luck

GeorgeFormby

Chin up LissyLou. You got this, stay strong *hug*

If the appearance is in regards to the 9 second "Stop for Sneezing" then your defence looks solid!

Wishing you all the best and hope to see a post on Tuesday claiming the victory AND costs awarded. 

Keep smiling, trust in yourself.

George

Le_Kirk

Is it F2F (in a court) or telephone/video/teams? Have a look at some posts by searching the forum for AOBTD or "Another One Bites The Dust" and read what people have said about the experience; yes there will be those who said it was a poor experience but FAR more who took something from it, wasn't as bad as they expected and the judge was really nice.  Don't throw away all your hard work.  Apart from that is the fact that the claimant will try to show you as being unreasonable and (will try to) throw huge cost claims at you.

Half_way

A real mental health boost is when you get one over on the parking scum.

If you can provide more details, such as where your vehicle received a parking charge notice,  why it did, and in whos car park you may be able to get some more advice on what may happen, and what to do next

Umkomaas

If you don't turn up, you will be hit with unreasonable behaviour costs which will allow Gladstones to pile in with their full costs, no longer restricted to the £50 cap. You could be looking at at least double the amount of their total current claim. 

Have you seen this, which is typically how a small claims court case will proceed - originally posted by forum stalwart @KeithP?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n93eoaxhzpU

Remember, this is a little dispute about whether you owe the PPC anything, it is not a criminal case, you won't get a Judge jumping down your throat, you won't get a third degree grilling, and you will be going home afterwards - no jail sentence!  Many have done it (and successfully) who had pre-hearing butterflies just like you. 

patient_dream

For one who has trashed this teeshirt AND WON, I can tell you it's not scary and a fun experience

Gladstones will send a "rent by the hour" so called legal, and Gladstones have probably had more spankings by judges than most.

It all starts with just three of you, yourself, the claimant and the judge
You call the judge Sir or Madam and do not interupt when they are speaking. 

The Judge will have read your WS and he/she will start with questions to the claimant. >>> listen carefully

It is important that you use a crib sheet to refer to the points you wish to make when it's your turn to speak.   
A crib sheet is a memory jogger for you.

One little wheeze the claimants try on is that you copied your defence from an internet forum ?   But how could you have done that, every case is different and of course you asked for help, this is all new to you.

Let's assume you lose, doubtful with Gladstones in the picture, it will cost you what it says on the claim form and if paid as instructed by the judge, there is no CCJ and that is the end of the matter.

BUT, there is no reason why you would lose and the judge finds in your favour ...... you must remember to ask for your costs ? The Judge can award costs and they normally award £95

Get that crib sheet written to take with you 

Personally for such a trivial matter, I would rather be chatting to a judge than my dentist

Coupon-mad

IMHO Judges are very understanding and most are actually lovely to consumers.  It's a meeting, quite formal like a job interview - but no more than that.

You will feel so very proud of yourself and empowered, for seeing this through, we can promise you.  Make yourself get there but don't rush or leave it late.

My tip (if it's an in person hearing) is get there half an hour early to familiarise yourself with the building, straight away sign in at the Usher's desk, deep breath, sit down and just read through your WS, use the loo in good time, take a bottle of water. 

And if the Claimant's rep introduces themselves and suggests a chat in a side room, then SAY NO THANKYOU.  Honestly the Judge's room is the place to be to resolve this scam.

And by the way, we often hear that the Defendant had to say almost nothing because the Judge takes up a point in the WS and runs with it and you win!

DO NOT FORGET TO ASK FOR COSTS IF YOU WIN, BEFORE THE JUDGE ENDS THE MEETING.

Grizebeck

The county courts are actually very relaxed places indeed, they are nothing like magistrates courts or crown courts and you have nothing to fear
which court is it?

patient_dream

And if the Claimant's rep introduces themselves and suggests a chat in a side room, then SAY NO THANKYOU. 

I had the same ?   As I had never been invited to a private room with another man, I just said "that's a bad idea" ... I could have said more ?

The purpose of this is a sham, they will tell you that you will lose but you can still agree to pay before we see the judge.  It is a childish prank as in my case, the Judge spanked the legal saying .. "this is not going very well for you is it" ... NO SIR the legal replied ?

Case dismissed, costs awarded and after, the legal rep put out his hand and said well done .....  I said well done for what, you are the one representing a scam
I said see you again, he said hope not ?

So, no private room visits, these rental legals are trained to fake it.

I would say that 95% of judges understand the great parking scam but the 5% WHO DON'T should be whisked off to the funny farm for re-training

ellaro9

I went through this last year, let me assure you it's nothing like as bad as you think, I actually enjoyed watching the parking company's rep squirming and struggling to answer questions from the judge.
It was quite hard keeping a poker face and not laughing!
The judge will take charge and help you along, you'll be back on here with the good news and thanking everyone for their help.