UKPC

Fiona1965

KeithP said:

Fiona1965 said:

Does anyone know who will be at the hearing? Will it be the paralegal that wrote the witness statement, because he wasn’t a witness. 

It definitely won't be that paralegal - they want to protect themselves from cross-examination.
Most likely it will be a freelance paralegal hired just for your case. He/she will probably only get the details of your case the day before the hearing.

So how can they be classed as a witness? 

Coupon-mad

Just a hired legal who has read the papers on the train.  They are often floundering.

Be confident.  There is no risk.

You are the 'expert' here, you are the only true witness in court and have lived a d breathed your case for months, but you do also have to argue your case compellingly, and take all the paperwork with you (both sides pleadings & evidence) and bullet points to help you find pages to point out to the Judge.

Re-read your defence.
Re-read your WS and evidence.
Re-read their WS and evidence.

Make some short notes to help you focus when it's your turn to speak.

Take proof that you DID file and serve the WS bundle to the court and Claimant (you did email it as we advised?) and take a second copy in case the Judge hasn't got your bundle.

Also grab proof of having lost a day's earnings or a day's leave by attending (if you have had to forego salary or took a day's leave).  Take a wage slip with you to claim those costs.

Arrive half an hour early to get through security and grab some water, and of course sign in with the Usher.

REFUSE to speak to the legal rep outside except to politely say hello and "no I don't want to offer settlement.  Everything I say I will say before the Judge, thanks".

In the hearing, call the Judge 'Judge'.

KeithP

Fiona1965 said:

KeithP said:

Fiona1965 said:

Does anyone know who will be at the hearing? Will it be the paralegal that wrote the witness statement, because he wasn’t a witness. 

It definitely won't be that paralegal - they want to protect themselves from cross-examination.
Most likely it will be a freelance paralegal hired just for your case. He/she will probably only get the details of your case the day before the hearing.

So how can they be classed as a witness? 

He/she is not a witness, but representing a witness.

Coupon-mad

Which means you can't ask them questions but they CAN cross-examine you.  Crap, innit?!

Fiona1965

Coupon-mad said:

Which means you can't ask them questions but they CAN cross-examine you.  Crap, innit?!

So I only get an opportunity to speak if asked a question?

Coupon-mad

No, that's not what I said. Read my earlier reply.

Fiona1965

Court case has been cancelled for today. Last of judges available 🤦🏼‍♀️. All worked up and taken day off and didn’t need to. 

monkeychompy

Fiona1965 said:

Court case has been cancelled for today. Last of judges available 🤦🏼‍♀️. All worked up and taken day off and didn’t need to. 

Did it get rescheduled?

Fiona1965

Today I had my court date, albeit virtual. 

I did it, I won! UKPC looked pathetic at the hearing. 

The judge threw out their claim
as ridiculous. Their argument was that I was not displaying a permit. The judge looked at the photos and said she was. They said it was the wrong one. So the judge said ‘who says’. The judge said, show me evidence that you have displayed what the parking permit looks like that you expect someone to display. 

He said they were ridiculous for thinking they could win and he has had enough of these parking companies trying to extort money when they don’t even have proper evidence. 

They requested an appeal and the judge refused them. The person they sent as a representative must have been on commission as he would not accept the judges decision and the judge had to remind him who was the judge 🤣

The judge said it also said it went against them because I had offered mediation and they had refused. This case was 2019 and the judge said they had wasted everyone’s time, including the courts for not agreeing to mediation to resolve this years ago. 

I’m so relieved. I knew I was right but I was so tempted to pay on occasion just to make them go away, but I didn’t. 

Fiona1965

It was due to be Chelmsford County a court, but was changed to virtual last week. They said they are trying to get on top of cases and can do this quicker by virtual hearings.