UPDATE: 2 PCNs received from QDR - Witness Statement Stage

Coupon-mad

I'd remove 20-25 as the DLUHC doesn't exist under that name and we have a new Government now. At some point this Spring, I'll update the Template Defence.

Also the line at the end of your para 2 should say:

My defence is repeated and I will say as follows:

terri99

Thank you @Coupon-mad, I'll update that. 

Regarding my question of using the claimant's photo, is that allowed? And do I need to reference them?

Coupon-mad

Yes you can use their photo.

terri99

UPDATE: I lost case 

Essentially the judge said that I didn't assert that I was breastfeeding. He acknowledged that the small print on the signs were illegible, but that only cancelled out the additional £70 charges, not the entire PCN.

Had to pay £200 plus all the court fees plus interest. He only removed the £70 per PCN extra charges, but still ended up paying more than if I had just paid them before the court stuff happened.

In any case it was a good learning experience.

Thankyou everyone on here for your help. It was all appreciated nonetheless. Keep up the good work,

Coupon-mad

terri99 said:

Hello to all,

I pray that all is well.

Newbie to this forum, though I have spent several hours trying to read through previous advice. I know my case is probably not unique, but I have a couple of questions. 

I received a court claim served by QDR Solicitors Ltd (on behalf of Euro Car Parks Ltd) for two alleged offences for the same vehicle Priory Retails Car park in Feb and then March of 2022. 

PCN’s were ignored (outdated strategy - big mistake I now realise). Previous paperwork (PCNs,NTKs etc.) are no longer in my possession. Nor is there much recollections of the said offences. Some circumstances that may be relevant:

• The driver had a 2 year old and a breastfeeding 2/3 month old at the time. Baby was born premature and took absolutely ages to feed, well over 30/45mins per time.

• This retail park has over 15 shops, restaurants etc. very easy to lose track of time and overstay, especially with two very young children.

• The driver spent money in at least some of the shops visited.

• There's often loads of traffic getting out of that car park (as there's only one way in/out).

They are claiming approx. £400-£500 for the two alleged contraventions.

Claim Form Issue date:  16th Feb 2024

---------------------------

UPDATE: 16 May 2025

 I lost case  

Essentially the judge said that I didn't assert that I was breastfeeding. He acknowledged that the small print on the signs were illegible, but that only cancelled out the additional £70 charges, not the entire PCN.

Had to pay £200 plus all the court fees plus interest. He only removed the £70 per PCN extra charges, but still ended up paying more than if I had just paid them before the court stuff happened.

In any case it was a good learning experience.

Thankyou everyone on here for your help. It was all appreciated nonetheless. Keep up the good work,

Chin up!  You got unlucky: QDR claims are rare & they don't discontinue, they see it through.

Sorry to hear that outcome. Surprised he awarded the interest in full. At least you ended up ordered to pay less than the claim that you came to us with (£450 odd).

You should now contact the managing agents at Priory Retail Park (Google for them) and show a screenshot of the receipt of what you just had to pay Euro Car Parks / QDR, plus your retail receipts from that time/day.

Complain and alert them - the property agents who run this retail park - to your story. Let's see their response.

Tell them your story and ask what they are doing to prevent this wholly unfair treatment of breastfeeding mothers, elderly or disabled people in future, all of whom may well need longer to shop than 2 hours.

Ask if they are proud to be affiliated with a notorious parking firm which sues their customers, and have they missed the fact the Government and MPs unanimously called out these "scam PCNs" that are sucking the lifeblood from high streets and retail? Give them this link to watch:

https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/8f99a416-40a5-4c75-b9b6-d3234774a25c

Ask them to rethink what they're doing with camera surveillance causing huge cost to innocent customers who are legally entitled to extended free parking time, due to protected characteristics.