County Court Business Centre claim letter by DCB Legal

Shannan1

Hi Everyone, 

I have a bit of an issue, I'm not sure if this is a genuine county court claim form or a letter that looks similar trying to scare me into paying! Either way I cannot risk a CCJ so I need to get to the bottom of it.

I returned home after being away for 3 weeks to discover a COUNTY COURT BUSINESS CENTRE claim form N14SDT sitting on the mat. It was issued on 8th August and I am really concerned I need to do something about it.

Long story short, I pulled out of a petrol station near Stansted after filling up, when I pulled out received a call so pulled to the kerb for a maybe a couple of minutes to finish the call and drove off. 

Later received a fine saying a parked where I shouldn't have and had a fine issued. 

Can someone please help me understand if this is genuine and if so,  help me with a suitable defence. 

Would really appreciate some assistance.


Thanks


[Image removed by moderation team]

KeithP

Hello and welcome.

You've left the Claim Number, MCOL password and your vehicle's registration mark clearly visible.
I wonder what a mischievous person might be able to do with that?

With a Claim Issue Date of 8th August, you had until Tuesday 29th August - yesterday - to file an Acknowledgment of Service. It looks like that hasn't happened. 

Since 4pm on Tuesday 29th August the Claimant has been free to seek a Default Judgment against you.

If they seek and get that Judgment before you have filed a Defence, then they win the race - it's game over - you lose.

Check your MCOL Claim History to see if there is already a Judgment against you. 
If there is, then you can ignore the rest of this post.

On the other hand if you file a Defence before the Claimant actually seeks and gets that Default Judgment, then you win this heat and go through to the next round and I suggest you aim to file a Defence as soon as possible.

To create a Defence, and then file a Defence by email, look at the second post in the NEWBIES thread.

Do not try and file a Defence via the MoneyClaimOnline website. The MCOL website should now be treated as 'read only'.

Shannan1

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your swift response. I did notice I left some information but haven't been able to withdraw the picture to amend it! 

I have checked the MCOL website and there is only details of a claim made on 8/8/23.

With regard to the defence, I am reviewing the post to email a defence to CCBCAQ@Justice.gov.uk.

Am I to use the template in this thread and adapt it suit my situation? 

As I have picked this up late, is there any risk of a CCJ if I email over a defence? Will there be an opportunity to pay to avoid a CCJ being given? I really cannot have a CCJ on my file.

Really appreciate you help on this.

Shannan1

Also the MCOL website still says I can complete an AOS, does that mean I am in time? Is this due to the bank holiday or an error?

KeithP

Shannan1 said:

Also the MCOL website still says I can complete an AOS, does that mean I am in time? Is this due to the bank holiday or an error?

Then do it. Why would you not do that?

Shannan1

Yes of course, is it ok to submit the AOS through the MCOL website?

KeithP

Shannan1 said:

Yes of course, is it ok to submit the AOS through the MCOL website?

Yes. There's a dropbox file linked from the second post of the NEWBIES thread that explains in the greatest detail exactly how to do that.

Le_Kirk

Shannan1 said:

Yes of course, is it ok to submit the AOS through the MCOL website?

Yes, that is the accepted way, then follow it up immediately with your defence based on the template.  It should only take an hour to add/amend your paragraphs 2 & 3.  Provided you have the basics in the defence you can back it up and support it with evidence at Witness Statement stage further down the line.

Coupon-mad

Have you done the AOS?

You MUST, to block a CCJ which can happen with the click of a button.  Especially as you showed lurking PPCs the claim form, earlier.

Shannan1

Hi there, this has been dragging on for some time now. I completed the AOS and the questionnaire. I had a missed call from DCB but have not called them back.

I now have a Notice of Transfer of Proceedings to my local Court in Norwich, shall I just wait to see if DCB withdraw? If they don't I guess I have nothing to loose going to court.

KeithP

Shannan1 said:

Hi there, this has been dragging on for some time now. I completed the AOS and the questionnaire. I had a missed call from DCB but have not called them back.

I now have a Notice of Transfer of Proceedings to my local Court in Norwich, shall I just wait to see if DCB withdraw? If they don't I guess I have nothing to loose going to court.

In due course you will be instructed to file and serve your Witness Statement and evidence.
Don't overlook that step.