Help with drafting my Defence for Court Claim from MET Parking Services (Southgate Park, Stansted)

SmartTraveler

and then immediately after that, received the N180 form (Directions questionnaire) with this cover letter:




which I am filling now based on the advice found in this forum (specifically, here)

Coupon-mad

Yes but not JUST following that ancient thread by bargepole. It's out of date on mediation and there are extra questions. That's why I cover the new questions in the DQ, in the Newbies thread.

SmartTraveler

For anyone interested, N180 form version is 07.24 and a PDF is attached here.

My answers are:
B. filled in my details
C1. Yes
D1. No, "The Defendant opposes the Claimant’s request for special directions, and requests that the case be listed for an oral hearing at the defendant’s home court, pursuant to CPR 26.2A(3)"
E1. filled in my details
E2. Yes, filled in a few dates
E3. No
E4. No
F1. My local County Court (you can find your nearest one here)
F2. No
F3. 1 (one)
F4. E2. Yes, filled in a few dates
F5. No
F6. No
G1. No
G2 and G3. English

and signed as Defendant.

I am going to send the PDF by email to DQ.CNBC@justice.gov.uk (is this the correct email address?) and cc the claimant (I chose this email address complaints@metparking.com) on Monday 

Coupon-mad

We know the latest version. The NEWBIES thread covers those new questions already.

The Claimant didn't ask for special directions. That's really old!

  

SmartTraveler

Coupon-mad said:

We know the latest version. The NEWBIES thread covers those new questions already.

The Claimant didn't ask for special directions. That's really old!

  

I just put everything (even obvious ones) I do here following the thread, so if anyone is reading my case knows what info details to use.  Thanks for your support!

So, for D1 what do you suggest to put in the text box?

SmartTraveler

OK, I found this one for D1:
"I am not content for the case to be heard 'on the papers' because that seems to disproportionately give an advantage to a legally represented party. I feel strongly after all these years of intimidating demands from this aggressive parking firm and their agents, that I need a voice at an attended hearing. I wish to question the Claimant about their evidence at a hearing in person and to expose omissions and any misleading or incorrect evidence or assertions."

sufficient?

Coupon-mad

Yes. I assume that's the one the NEWBIES thread already advises.  Shorten it to fit.

SmartTraveler

As expected, I have now been scheduled for a telephone mediation appointment, due in about a month. Could you please direct me to the correct page in the forum with info to prepare for the session?

Coupon-mad

Yes: in the first 12 steps you started to follow when you put in your defence.  They are there to stop people asking about the early stages.

SmartTraveler

I had the compulsory telephone mediation today. The mediator was polite and professional, gave me an overview of the process, then described the Claimant's position and offer (basically to pay a discounted portion of the total amount, £210). I provided a short summary of my position and politely rejected the offer. When she asked if I had a proposed solution, I told her I prefer to take this to the court hearing or have the claimant discontinue the case. The outcome was: "Mediation Not Settled" (you will receive this also via an email confirmation). The whole call took just ~6 minutes.