Parking Control Management / TRACE / Gladstones

BritishBulldog4

Hello,

I've read the Newbie post and I understood (I hope!) the stages and what to do.

I have come into something a little unusual, and I'm not sure if it's because of COVID or some sort of error in the process but let me keep it simple.

A bit of a backstory - I parked my car within the small court but on grass (I had my permit clearly visible on dashboard). The signage post didn't say this was against the rules, in fact it said that all cars must park within white lines - there's absolutely no lines whatsoever within the court.

So I decided to take this matter to court, and the ticket fine was £100. As expected, it went to a debt recovery company called TRACE demanding me to pay £160 - the extra £60 added on is unknown but have seen that people have added in their statement saying they don't believe the claimant has incurred an additional £60 in damages or costs etc.

The case is now currently with Gladstones, and they are demanding me to pay £170 or they will advise their client to take this matter to court. I don't suppose if anyone here has seen Gladstones adding an extra £10 on top? 

Coupon-mad

Yes all the time.

Normal for these 'extortionate scam' (MPs words) PCN cases.

It's because in Summer 2021 the IPC changed their 'cap' from £60 to £70 just in time for the last Government Public Consultation, to match the BPA CoP and no doubt dress it up as 'industry standard'.

..and it VERY NEARLY worked.

Govt policymakers were utterly taken in at that point.

In a public webinar, Liam McNulty (MHCLG at the time) used the words 'industry standard' about what is really known to be fake £70 'extortion' (Minister Neil O'Brien's word) and then the Public Consultation actually said the Govt intended to mirror the £70 'cap' in the new Code.

Appalling mistake only U turned at the last gasp.

But of course. the IPC and BPA Codes are the only current ones at the moment so +£70 reins.

And if you've done any level of reading about Gladstones you'll know there is/was a very close connection with the IPC Trade Body.

BritishBulldog4

Understood - thanks.

Just got to wait for SAR and for the matter to reach the court.

BritishBulldog4

Hi there,

Just a very quick and hopefully simple question:

I have sent the following message to Gladstones:

Your email tells the solicitor:
(a) I am seeking debt advice but I deny any debt and the case must be put 'on hold' for not less than 30 days under the PAP for debt claims 2017.
(b) I have sent your client a SAR

I've received SAR via post, and I've received confirmation that the case has been put on hold from Gladstones. 

Though their response is pretty dickish,

"Good morning,

Thank you for your correspondence.

We have noted your email date 27/08/2022 and have put your file on hold for 30 days. We look forward to hearing your repayment proposals when this date has elapsed on the 27th September 2022."

They're waiting for me to go back to them with repayment proposals - do I respond to say "No thanks, I want to go to hearing"?

KeithP

Why do you feel the need to respond at all?

Perhaps you should use those thirty days thinking about a Defence as surely the next thing to happen will be a County Court Claim Form dropping through your letterbox.