Notice of intended legal action from DCBL - should I pay?

NN24

Yesterday, I received a notice of intended legal action from DCBL for an unpaid parking charge with Excel Parking, which now totals £170, with a request to make immediate payment to avoid legal action.

Background: I failed to pay within the time allowed because I forgot. I paid 39 minutes late for a full day’s parking. The first PCN was for £100. I ignored this, as well as the final reminder on the advice of a trainee solicitor and my partner who has ignored a parking charge for 3 years with no legal action. I also ignored the first notice of debt recovery from DCBL. I did however write a cease and desist letter although it was posted it on the 14th day. (Removed by Forum Team). On occasion the app has failed and there is no telephone support. 

My query is should I pay? It’s unnecessary stress and it appears like they will proceed to legal action. I did not pay within the time allowed therefore I don’t think I can win, is that correct?

Any advice would be welcome?

Car1980

Edit your post first. Pretty obvious what you need to delete...

Coupon-mad

No. There's no stress. You WANT legal action because that's when they discontinue.

You won't be paying a penny. Read the DCB Legal discontinuances thread (no link; it's updated daily).

NN24

I’m not sure I edit the post, I don’t see an option.

Are they guaranteed to discontinue if it goes to legal action? I’m thinking of the practicalities of how I would even get to Court, it would require taking annual leave (if I don’t have anything urgent in) and/or potentially having no childcare if it’s on my non-working day. 

Was it wise to send the cease and desist letter? I was advised to sign it. 

NN24

To add, I don’t think I can argue that the signage was poor as advised in some of the WS in the discontinuation thread, as I use the car park weekly and have done for almost 2 years straight. 

Gr1pr

Newbies cannot edit their posts, not until their status changes to Forumite 

There are no guarantees, but the likelihood is high of a discontinuation at some point 

You would be giving the court a list of your unavailable dates in 2025, bearing in mind that any court hearing could be 6 to 12 months time at the earliest 

Coupon-mad

NN24 said:

I’m not sure I edit the post, I don’t see an option.

Are they guaranteed to discontinue if it goes to legal action?

I’m thinking of the practicalities of how I would even get to Court, it would require taking annual leave (if I don’t have anything urgent in) and/or potentially having no childcare if it’s on my non-working day.

Yes I will answer:

I guarantee it. If you get a court claim from DCB Legal then (as long as you follow all our advice and defend the claim using our template defence) they will discontinue next year and you will NOT attend court.

Your cease & desist letter was fine.

You don't need to edit your post nor do anything at all except read the second post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST.

See my signature for how to navigate there.

NN24

What about the potential threat of a CCJ? We’re planning to move home in the near future and will need a mortgage.

KeithP

NN24 said:

What about the potential threat of a CCJ? 

Won't happen.

Gr1pr

NN24 said:

What about the potential threat of a CCJ? We’re planning to move home in the near future and will need a mortgage.

Any potential hearing could be 6 to 12 months away, in 2025

If you follow the advice here then no CCJ will ever be recorded or affect any future mortgage or contract or credit 

As for the parking company and DCB legal, its a game of chicken, a numbers game 

Coupon-mad

NN24 said:

What about the potential threat of a CCJ? We’re planning to move home in the near future and will need a mortgage.

You will NOT get a CCJ as long as you follow our advice and tell them when you move.  This is a very easy process.

You aren't going to pay.

No CCJ is risked here, ever.