UKPC / DCB Legal Defence - Feedback please!

Coupon-mad

You don't need to call the court.  There is nothing to clarify.

It's a costs hearing just like the ones I showed you and the post by ParkingMad in one of the links shows you what to do.

Please read the links.

AbbatheHorse

Coupon-mad said:

You don't need to call the court.  There is nothing to clarify.

It's a costs hearing just like the ones I showed you and the post by ParkingMad in one of the links shows you what to do.

Please read the links.

Thank you.  I have read all of the links and they are helpful.  But I am still not clear if I need to submit anything in advance to either the court or DCB Legal.  In one of the links, there was a witness statement from the Parking Company specifically regarding the costs hearing, so I just wanted clarity of whether I need to prepare something similar, like in the original case, or whether the skeleton argument that you suggest is for my own personal use on the day?

Coupon-mad

Yes you do have to if you want money.

File & serve the skelly in advance.

AbbatheHorse

Hi all

So, I spoke to the court and they have advised me that there is no expectation to file and serve any information for the costs hearing (although I can if I want to).

But the interesting news is that DCB Legal have today contacted me to ask if I would consider discussing a settlement outside of court. 

I am now torn!  On one hand, I thought I had a very small chance of being awarded costs, as I would have to convince the judge they have acted unreasonably, and there is nothing particularly unique about my case.  On the other hand, if they are wanting to settle outside of court, does this suggest they are worried and maybe my case is stronger than I thought?

Anyone any advice or opinions on this?

Coupon-mad

I know there's no expectation of requiring either party to file & serve anything for a costs hearing.  But I have advised you very clearly what to do if you don't want this hearing to be a 'he said, she said' utter waste of time.  You are likely to get nothing if you just rock up.

I said more than once:

Yes you do have to if you want money.
File & serve the skelly in advance.

THEN see if DCB Legal make you an offer.

AbbatheHorse

I want to say a huge thank you to the members on this forum who have provided me with much help and guidance.  A particular shout out to @Coupon-mad who has patiently spelled things out to me when I was not getting something.

I have agreed to accept an out of court settlement towards my costs from DCB Legal of £150.00, which has been paid to me today.  As far as I am concerned, this marks the end of the road for me now.

I was asking for just over £300 in costs, so this is just under 50% of what I was asking for.  While it would have been interesting to see what happened in court, for various reasons, I wasn't confident that I would convince the judge of unreasonable behaviour and that the amount I was claiming was reasonable.  Therefore, this seems like a win to me, both morally and financially.

If nothing else, I hope this demonstrates to others that it is worth trying to claim back your costs in these scenarios.  And if enough people do so, these charlatan companies may reconsider their approaches.

Thanks again - I could never have done it without this forum.

Coupon-mad

Woohoo!  This is what it's about. 

WELL DONE!!

I have agreed to accept an out of court settlement towards my costs from DCB Legal of £150.00, which has been paid to me today.