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

patient_dream

ellaro9 said:

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.

Yes,  the problem is that these parking companies and dodgy legals are just fair ground workers in shiny suits ..... and as you say ... parking company's rep squirming and struggling to answer questions

The amounts are so small they simply cannot afford REAL representation ... SAD

Humdinger1

@lissylou the regulars on this board are utterly fantastic and they are not exaggerating.   You will feel wonderful when you've done this; as someone with a lot of performing (musical and in business) experience, can I say that without performance nerves, no one ever gives it their best shot.  I am sending you good vibes; without being too Mystic Meg, I find it useful at times like this to imagine a white light around me that nothing can get through.   Everyone has their own way but I - together with the whole of this board- have every confidence in you.   Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

95Rollers

Nerves are normal. They mean that you are taking it seriously and care. Use this energy to your advantage. I was nervous with mine, I probably obsessed and "over" prepared, but it paid off. 

It's not like criminal court or the big central court like we see on the news. It's small claims track and nothing like Kavanagh QC - there's no shouting, interrogation etc. Even though the legal companies use such language and threats to make you fear this, its not the case.

I would advise you to try relax, stay focused, use this energy and make a crib sheet/ plan of action with key points highlighted. Dress to impress, take notes/ make notes and don't give up. You'll be fine and good luck 👍

Snakes_Belly

You will be fine. Most judges are fair with litigants in person but give the Claimant's representative a hard time. 

As another poster has said dress to impress and make a crib sheet or highlight the main points in your defence with a highlighter pen.

If there are any weak area's make sure that you can overcome them. I knew that there was a weak area in my defence and if the Claimant's rep picked up on it I would have a hard job getting over that. It never came up.

I did not win, it was more of a drop hands and I did feel as if I could have tried a bit harder. 

It was all going very well and the judge was about to dismiss the claim and then the  Claimant's rep kicked off so bear in mind that these hearings can turn. So don't get over confident and stay focused until the judge actually gives the judgment or "it's not over until the fat lady sings". 

When the judge gave his judgment I just thought "I will take that" and did not argue. I certainly was not the biggest loser.

Would I do it again, definitely. 

Good luck for tomorrow.

    

Router66

I was in court this morning...I have reported my experience on my own thread and hope it helps settle your nerves.
Good luck... 

Le_Kirk

@lissylou read this; it should make you feel better about tomorrow - good luck.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79355978#Comment_79355978

plasterboard

lissylou said:

Court date is set for Tuesday 27th July and the closer it gets the more it makes me feel ill....

Just like to point out that Tuesday is the 26th! Maybe you have an extra day to prepare...

I've got mine on the 28th. By the time I'm doing mine yours will all be over and you can relax! Whatever happens be kind to yourself

patient_dream

Snakes_Belly said:

I did not win, it was more of a drop hands and I did feel as if I could have tried a bit harder. 

But the jokers who took you to court were the losers, all they got from the judge was pocket money to buy a cup of coffee

I bet they are sick of so many cups of coffee

Snakes_Belly

patient_dream said:

Snakes_Belly said:

I did not win, it was more of a drop hands and I did feel as if I could have tried a bit harder. 

But the jokers who took you to court were the losers, all they got from the judge was pocket money to buy a cup of coffee

I bet they are sick of so many cups of coffee

Well it looks like they have taken a big hit today (multiple PCN case KC14). Can't wait to read the report.  

Mars28

Good luck tomorrow! Remember getting nervous is entirely normal and everybody feels it, no matter how confident they look. Some people are just better at hiding it than others! Reading through your thread, I think you're as well prepared as any one else, and certainly 100% more than the rep they're going to send, who won't have done half as much planning and research as you!

Good luck!