Directions questionnaire

LotteB

I have an ongoing disputed parking ticket case with ParkingEye. I submitted my Defence a month ago and today I've received a copy of Directions questionnaire completed by ParkingEye. But I have not received the N180 form myself and now I'm worried I may have missed the deadline for its submission. Should I download the form from gov.uk, complete it and send it to the County Court Business Centre myself?

KeithP

Hello and welcome.

This is one point in the process where you don't have to worry about missing something.

If the CCBC send you a DQ to complete and get no response within the thirty-odd days allowed, they will send you a reminder giving you another seven days to comply.

Having said that, it is reported that the CCBC are at least a couple of months behind with the processing of this stuff.

So in summary, nothing to worry about.

LotteB

Thank you, that's very reassuring, I'll wait for the form patiently. I assumed the CCBC would send out DQs to both parties at the same time and I thought mine must have got lost in the post. 

Coupon-mad

They do send them out at the same time.

LotteB

That's not good, if it was sent out at the same time then I haven't received it. Is there any point in contacting the CCBC or should I wait for the reminder? 

YankeeBrit

Just download your own N180 nd fill it in online. You can get one here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1079639/N180_Final_Form.pdf

However, don't send it until it shows in your MCOL that they have sent one to you. Just keep checking it once a week. The N180 copy you received from the claimant is bog standard procedure, exactly as explained in the 12-point checklist you are following from the template thread, reproduced below for your benefit. You are at step 7:

1. Print your Defence if you are physically signing it.
2. Sign it and date it.
3. Scan the signed document back in and save it as a pdf, OR if you have no access to a scanner/printer then put an electronic signature in.
4. Send your signed & dated pdf as an email attachment to CCBCAQ@Justice.gov.uk but due to the CCBC's dysfunctional systems, only do this during working hours (a weekday) and you MUST get an acknowledgement straight back or it is NOT submitted.
5. Just put the claim number (check it very carefully) and the word Defence in the email title, and in the body of the email something like 'URGENT RE CLAIM XXXXXXXX - Please find my Defence attached.
6. IMPORTANT - MAKE SURE YOU GET AN EMAIL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BACK FROM THE CCBC!   After filing your Defence, there is more to do.
7. Do not be surprised to receive an early copy of the Claimant's Directions Questionnaire and the usual intimidating template letter saying they 'intend to proceed'. Nothing of interest there. Just file it.
8. Wait for your own Directions Questionnaire from the CCBC, or download one from the internet - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-n180-directions-questionnaire-small-claims-track and then complete it as described by bargepole in his 'what happens when' post linked from post #2 of the NEWBIES thread - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/64350585#Comment_64350585
9. The completed DQ should be returned by email to the CCBC to the same address and in the same way as your Defence was filed earlier.  
10. Send a copy of your completed DQ to the Claimant (or their solicitor if they are using one).  Their postal address is on your Claim Form but you can find an email for them by searching this forum, or Google it, because a DQ sent by email is OK and then you know/can prove it's been sent.   
11. DO NOT USE RECORDED (OR SPECIAL) DELIVERY FOR ANYTHING TO A PARKING FIRM OR THEIR SOLICITOR.   DO NOT EXPECT ROGUE FIRMS TO SIGN FOR YOUR LETTERS.  IF THEY DON'T, ALL YOU HAVE IS PROOF OF NON-DELIVERY, WHICH IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU NEED!
12. Will you have to attend a hearing? Yes - unless the claim is struck out or the PPC discontinues (very common with DCB Legal!).   Will that hearing be at Northampton?  NO!  That's just a central starting point for claims.  If you are an individual, you get the choose your local court, and telephone or video hearings are becoming common.  Face to face hearings are better though; it's easier to follow the visual cues from the Judge who allow for Defendants being scared and unused to the situation.  You do NOT want your case 'heard on the papers' (absolutely no).  You want a hearing and you can claim your costs if you win, and you risk nothing (no CCJ, no huge costs) by defending, because if you were among the handful who report a loss here you'd have 30 days to pay and it would be less than on the claim form (£175 - £200 total).

LotteB

I completely forgot that sending an early copy of DQ is a common intimidating practice. I've logged on to MCOL and DQ hasn't been sent out yet. 
Thank you very much for your help.

Coupon-mad

LotteB said:

That's not good, if it was sent out at the same time then I haven't received it. Is there any point in contacting the CCBC or should I wait for the reminder? 

No, you misunderstand.

The court has not sent them out yet.