Parking fine - Small claims letter offering mediation

VanB2021

I received a parking fine on private land in April 2022.   In essence I went to the pub with the parking restriction to meet my dad but when I got in the pub it was closing for a private event so he finished his drink and we left.  I hadn’t noticed the signs saying register car details at the bar. 

I got a fine and appealed on the basis I was a customer and could prove my dads payment at the bar and confirmation from the landlord via messenger that I was a customer.  It was rejected and I ignored all subsequent demands for payment for the last 2 years.

I received a claim from with a further request of payment with Civil National Business Centre or request for defence which I submitted within the 28 days.

I have now received a letter ‘notice of proposed allocation to small claims court’ and stating suitable for allocation to small claims track with a questionnaire and I can opt for mediation. 

I have no idea where I stand now and whether it’s likely I will lose this case.  Any advice appreciated 

DE_612183

Have you read the newbees thread?

Have you asked the manager of the pub to contact the parking company and ask them to get the pcn cancelled?

Can you post a redacted copy of the letter of claim?

Do not go for mediation. 

Gr1pr

Study the newbies sticky thread in announcements, plus the advice in the defence template thread too

If the N180 is from the CNBC in Northampton by post, follow the advice in the newbies sticky thread etc to fill it in and email it to the CNBC in Northampton using the correct email address listed in those threads

If it came from the claimant, file it and wait for the n180 from the CNBC 

VanB2021

This is what I have received.

Unfortunately the landlord has not left the premises. 

Gr1pr

So download a digital copy from the CNBC and fill it in , sending one copy to the CNBC and another copy to the claimant ( or lawyer if they are using one. )

The newbies sticky thread will help you to fill it in 

patient_dream

The trouble with mediation it's not face to face so you will be relying on someone who is clueless about the parking scam industry.

Judges on the other hand see these cases every day and a case by parking companies and the results are very different

The legals for the parking company send a "rent by the hour" advocate who can only rely on what they are told and that is why your WS is very important

Mediation is no different to talking to to a bloke at the pub

CONCLUSION
Do not go for mediation

Nellymoser

Seems mediation will not be optional in the future

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-resolution-for-small-claims-as-mediation-baked-into-courts-process
The change, which comes into effect today (22 May 2024), means parties in money claims up to the value of £10,000 must take part in a free one-hour mediation appointment, provided by HMCTS’ Small Claims Mediation Service. 

Coupon-mad

Gr1pr said:

So download a digital copy from the CNBC and fill it in , sending one copy to the CNBC and another copy to the claimant ( or lawyer if they are using one. )

The newbies sticky thread will help you to fill it in 

No - because the online version is the new one with compulsory Mediation.  The OP should use the paper version the CNBC send out which so far has been the older version where people can say no to mediation.

Coupon-mad

Nellymoser said:

Seems mediation will not be optional in the future

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-resolution-for-small-claims-as-mediation-baked-into-courts-process
The change, which comes into effect today (22 May 2024), means parties in money claims up to the value of £10,000 must take part in a free one-hour mediation appointment, provided by HMCTS’ Small Claims Mediation Service. 

We already know this from @Grizebeck's thread last week.

All the time the CNBC is still sending the old paper version that still lets people tick NO, then that's what we should be advising to use.

Coupon-mad

VanB2021 said:

I have been given a court date In October for a phone hearing which I am unable to attend and need to submit my statement in advance of the hearing.

In brief parked at a non fee paying car park in a pub to meet someone.  As I entered it was dosing for a private event and didn’t get the opportunity to attend the bar to register my vehicle details.  

I am unsure what to get include in my statement 

Above from a duplicate thread that needs merging.

If you don't attend a hearing you will lose your case almost certainly.  Attend it. 

VanB2021

I am out if the county but could attend the call.  Other than what I have already stated yea don’t know how to best defend myself