Euro Car Parks Ltd -v- Me

downandoutagain

I need some advice with Euro Car Parks please. I was in a bit of a state following being attacked by my then partner. i took my car keys and fled, i drove and sat in the busiest car park i could find after driving for 2 hours around and around. Seems i should have paid to park, but was in a state to even realise or be capable of getting out of the car and paying.

So I ignored the 'invoice' while trying to manage my mental health. this was in 2020, and fast forward they have taken me to court to claim the increased invoice, and the court costs related it to. I submitted a defence explaining my situation (defence received 20th Sept), the 28 days have passed since I submitted my defence and MCOL showing no update. This morning I have received a letter from QDR Solicitors saying it is their intention to proceed with the claim.

i am not sure what to do now, I explained what happened in my defence, and it has just been ignored, I have been through so much, domestic violence and everything that goes with that, I cannot take anymore.

Any advice on how to handle this would be appreciated.

Thankyou

downandoutagain

If there is anyone who can help me with some advice, I would be really grateful. 

thankyou 

Coupon-mad

Yes reiterate your mental health situation in writing to QDR and ask them to speak to their clients and cancel the PCN as you are vulnerable.  Use that word and say this:

I have been through so much, domestic violence and everything that goes with that, I cannot take anymore.

There are special 'vulnerable debtor' rules that debt collectors like QDR must follow.

Le_Kirk

Sorry to hear about the domestic violence,  can the police help in that regard,  I have also read that there are agencies that offer help. Regarding the parking issue there is a huge resource called the NEWBIE for you to read.  Your defence will go before a judge and it is very rare that a claimant gives up having received a defence (if they even read it). Once you read the NEWBIE sticky, you should be better aware and know that the next document you receive will be a DQ- N180 and there is advice about how to complete it in the aforementioned sticky. Also pays to read a few other posters to see what's going on with their case.

downandoutagain

Coupon-mad said:

Yes reiterate your mental health situation in writing to QDR and ask them to speak to their clients and cancel the PCN as you are vulnerable.  Use that word and say this:

I have been through so much, domestic violence and everything that goes with that, I cannot take anymore.

There are special 'vulnerable debtor' rules that debt collectors like QDR must follow.

I thought that there were special rules, I take medication for my anxiety and depression, and have been diagnosed with PTSD, OCD, and my counsellor thinks I might also be neurodiverse.  with everything else, the debt he left me with, I cannot think straight. 

Coupon-mad

Pour your heart out.  QDR should act properly.

downandoutagain

Coupon-mad

I will draft something over the weekend, thankyou x

downandoutagain

Le_Kirk said:

Sorry to hear about the domestic violence,  can the police help in that regard,  I have also read that there are agencies that offer help. Regarding the parking issue there is a huge resource called the NEWBIE for you to read.  Your defence will go before a judge and it is very rare that a claimant gives up having received a defence (if they even read it). Once you read the NEWBIE sticky, you should be better aware and know that the next document you receive will be a DQ- N180 and there is advice about how to complete it in the aforementioned sticky. Also pays to read a few other posters to see what's going on with their case.

thankyou, and I will also write to the solicitors, as this is just not fair, I also have a supporting letter from womens Aid, stating the abuse etc 

fisherjim

downandoutagain said:

Le_Kirk said:

Sorry to hear about the domestic violence,  can the police help in that regard,  I have also read that there are agencies that offer help. Regarding the parking issue there is a huge resource called the NEWBIE for you to read.  Your defence will go before a judge and it is very rare that a claimant gives up having received a defence (if they even read it). Once you read the NEWBIE sticky, you should be better aware and know that the next document you receive will be a DQ- N180 and there is advice about how to complete it in the aforementioned sticky. Also pays to read a few other posters to see what's going on with their case.

thankyou, and I will also write to the solicitors, as this is just not fair, I also have a supporting letter from womens Aid, stating the abuse etc 

You are dead right, lets be clear about this; private parking companies run these sites in this way for their own profit only they predominantly get their money from overstays in an ANPR controlled car park and they want people to do this it makes profits. 

They could be compassionate if they so wished instead of all this disgusting greed fuelled bullying they pursue.

The only actual loser in your situation financially was the land owner that lost the fee to park, you could still try plan A here with a letter to the landowner stating exactly what you have said above in tandem with the other advice.

Best of luck!

downandoutagain

thankyou so much 

Umkomaas

It wasn't a Morrisons car park by any chance? ECP has a countrywide contract with Morrisons. Morrisons are exceptionally good at instructing ECP to cancel tickets?