Private Parking fine - Recieved County Claim form

velkyrie

Hello everyone,

I hope someone can guide me in the right direction.

I recently received a private parking fine of £60 from Beckton Gallions Reach (UK Parking Control). The parking limit was 4 hours, but I overstayed by 20 minutes, bringing my total parking time to 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Timeline of Events:

• I initially appealed the fine, explaining that I was with three children, babysitting and shopping, and that the parking condition signs were small and difficult to notice. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the conditions at the time.
  
  
• They responded by asking me to provide shopping receipts, which I promptly sent. 

• However, they later doubled the fine, claiming I hadn’t responded to their letter. I informed them that I had sent the receipts by 1st class post and was still awaiting their decision.

• They then replied that the appeal period had pass, and they referred the matter to the debt collector, DCB

• I contacted DCB, explaining that I was still awaiting a final response from UK Parking Control and had already provided proof of my shopping activity. Despite this, DCB ignored my concerns and continuously demanded payment, repeatedly requesting phone conversations.

• I have now received a County Court claim, and I have disputed the full amount, intending to defend the claim.

• The case has been transferred to the court for a hearing. Today, I received a letter from UK Parking Control, offering to consider a settlement if I contact them within 7 days. They also included a completed form for mediation services, which they plan to submit to the court. I am considering refusing the mediation service.

I need advice on the following options:

Option 1:
Should I call them to discuss a settlement? The total amount they are now claiming is nearly £300, while the original fine was £60. If I call them, will this be considered an admission of debt, and could it affect my credit file?

Option 2:
If I proceed with the hearing and lose the case, but pay the ordered amount afterward, will this go to my credit file?

Any guidance on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help.

DE_612183

1. Do Not Pay.
2. Read the newbees thread.
3. Do Not Pay.
4. Complain to the Landowner, your MP etc.
5. Do Not Pay.
6. If it does go to a hearing ( Unlikely DCBL have 400 odd case of discontinuation ) then you only get a mark on your credit file IF you lose AND you DON'T pay within 28 days.


Do you get the gist?

Gr1pr

Definitely not a fine, just a parking charge notice, PCN, an invoice, so you should refrain from using that word 

Are DCB Legal involved. ?  Or just UKPC. ?

They are very likely to discontinue, so I dont think that you should use mediation UNLESS forced into it, even then refuse to negotiate and offer £ zero , no higher 

The original PCN was £100 , not £60, so as part of the total claimed, a third is for the PCN itself 

Definitely do not call them, no admissions whatsoever, even a loss in court won't affect your credit file, PROVIDING that you pay them the judgment total IN FULL within the 30 days grace period allowed by the justice system to fully settle the matter 

The Discontinuations thread by Umkomaas has nearly 400 in it, most are UKPC 

I would suggest that you hold out and fight to the end , but then its not my case or my money 

velkyrie

Understood, it's an invoice. Got it.

Yes, DCB is involved and they are currently handling the case, and did not listen to my concerns and kept demanded the payment,  I have now received a County Court claim.

The original amount was £100, but if paid earlier, it would have been reduced to £60. I will review the letters for the exact details.

I was just a bit concerned—if I lose the case and pay after the judgement within 30 days, will the CCJ still be recorded on my credit file.I feel a bit relieved now

Thank you for the suggestion.

Coupon-mad

No of course there is no CCJ risk by defending a claim, not even if you lose.

We do these every day. We don't put anyone's credit rating at risk.

Show us the POC like you see on every court claim thread. Read a few first.

And did you use our template defence?

You can't refuse Mediation.  This is all over the forum. Search for

Compulsory Mediation

Gr1pr

No it won't, the CCJ will be expunged 

I would suggest that the latest offer could be the catalyst before the discontinuation , be it DCB Legal or UKPC 

I just thought it was unusual for UKPC to offer an early settlement, instead of DCB Legal offering it, like in all the other cases, so my money is on them both throwing in the towel before having to pay the hearing fee of £27

velkyrie

ok Great.. 

Yes, its the DCB legal , gave me an option, saying their client UKPC may be prepared to settle this case if i make settlement. 

but yes, i have decided to defend this till the end.

Thank you everyone. 

velkyrie

I hope you're all doing well.

I need some quick guidance regarding the county court claim mentioned above. I have now received a DIRECTIONS QUESTIONNAIRE (Form N180), which I need to complete and return to the court by the specified deadline.

My question is regarding Section A – SETTLEMENT/MEDIATION. Do I need to complete this section if I do not wish to accept the mediation service, or is it mandatory to fill out this part?

Coupon-mad

You ave no choice.

See the two links about Compulsory Mediation which are given in the 'first 12 steps' provided in the Template Defence thread.