DCB Legal - Letter of Claim - multiple pcn's

nomoredebt

Hi, between 2017-2019 my husband received numerous parking charges for parking over the permitted time in MacDonalds from UK PC, DCBL, DRP.  He just threw them in the bin.  Over time got further letters saying the charge has risen, then the occasional final notice.

He has now just received a letter of claim from DCB Legal for x 10 pcn's for a total of £1,600.

We do not have this sort of money.  Are we able to pay in installments?

If he does pay these do you think they will come after him for the remaining outstanding pcn's (he has about 14 I know about!)  I am so worried.  

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Coupon-mad

You don't PAY these! 

Just read the LBC section of the SECOND post of the NEWBIES thread.  You'll win the case on court next year, or they'll likely discontinue.

Please read the NEWBIES thread first. My signature tells you where it is and how to hop there in 2 clicks,

nomoredebt

Hi Coupon-mad,  thank you for your advice.  I have read the relevant newbie section and will ask my husband to do this.

What happens after they send copies of the fines to us?

He has just had to pay a parking charge that ended up going to court.  I did wonder if this would trigger more attempts at retrieving money from his other previous fines.

Coupon-mad

He has just had to pay a parking charge that ended up going to court. 

He didn't have to pay unless he lost in court.  Is that what you meant, he defended and lost?  You don't pay on receipt of a court claim from scammers.  Only if a Judge tells you to pay.

These will also get a court claim.

nomoredebt

He didn't defend.  The last letter that came to him regarding it I never saw and he made it dissappear.  The next one we got was from the court.  I made him pay it.

Would it be worth adding in the letter about his mental health?  He has suffered for years and the reason he spent so much time in MacDonalds was that he found it a place he could chill out, have a coffee, read a paper etc.  He always lost track of time which is why he went over his parking time so many times.

He actually had a mental breakdown earlier this year.  He was getting better (new medication has helped and a different job role) and now because of this it is starting to affect him again.

nomoredebt

I came here for help and advice no need to be like that @Grizebeck.  It was from the court.  At the end of the day he overstayed his time I couldn't see what defence there would be.  

Grizebeck

nomoredebt said:

I came here for help and advice no need to be like that @Grizebeck.  It was from the court.  At the end of the day he overstayed his time I couldn't see what defence there would be.  

My point stands.
It was foolish to make him pay. UKPC are beaten many times on this forum.
The fact you cant see how a claim can be beaten doesnt meant it cant be beaten.
People on here give very good advice and know the ins and outs
You dont just pay because " you dont see a defence" in such a case

nomoredebt

Well hopefully @Grizebeck this time we will.  The one we paid was for 1 pcn.  This letter of claim he has just got through is for 10 pcns.  

As I said I never saw his last letter received from the solicitor it probably was the letter before claim.  I panicked when the court letter came especially when it said about bailiffs.

Coupon-mad

Don't pay the next one.  It was a mistake.  You do not pay just because a court claim arrives from a parking firm.  You defend.

By paying, he is likely on a 'mugs list' now and this is why they are coming for him again.  In fact, had he defended that single one he'd be in a better legal  position now to respond to this LBC.

Would it be worth adding in the letter about his mental health?

Certainly not if it's worded to admit to overstaying!  Don't do that.  Do not talk about overstaying.

Be more vague but yes he could state and prove his mental health issues and tell DCB Legal to cease and desist with the torture of 'drip, drip' claims.  Tell them he is vulnerable and has already paid one claim out of fear and they must stop.

(They won't.  But it looks better later in his defence if he's responded and they reply unreasonably).

nomoredebt

Hi @Coupon-mad, I am now kicking myself for getting him to pay.  I did wonder if it had kickstarted this next deludge.

patient_dream

Are tickets all for the same area ?