Is it ever too late to appeal?

LindaSuizou205

Hello First, apologies if this isn't the correct place to post this or I've not included enough information. Please let me know if so & I'll do what I can to help.

Due to my mistake when moving address, I only became aware of a parking ticket received when it had already been escalated to £170 and I don't have the original letters they would've sent. Additionally, following bad advice from others I ignored further letters until I found this site.

I've now received the first letter from DCBL Ltd. I've tried plan A and been told the landowner can't/won't do anything about it now (though they have helped provide me receipts which show I used the business on the alleged date).

I then tried appealing with CEL (Civil Enforcement Limited) as they are the ones who I've been sent letters from before DCBL, but they responded saying it was too late to appeal & to contact DCBL.

I assumed this might've counted as a rejection of my appeal but they didn't provide a POPLA code.

I'm unsure whether I try to appeal with DCBL, contact CEL again, or is it really too late to appeal through POPLA & I just wait for the letter before claim?

I'm quite lost with what to do so any help / reassurance at all would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Fruitcake

First of all, have you updated your address with the DVLA for your driving licence, and your V5C. This must be done separately.

Have you sent a rectification notice to the DPO of CEL and DCBL Ltd? If not, you must do so to prevent a court claim deliberately being sent to your old address. You need to instruct them to erase your old data and replace it with your current address for service.
Make sure to use the word I have highlighted as it has a specific meaning where data processing is concerned.

What exactly have you received from DCBL Ltd, as opposed to DCB Ltd, who are powerless debt collectors. DCB Ltd can be ignored, DCBL Ltd cannot.

LindaSuizou205

Thanks for your quick reply. 

Yes, I updated my V5C as soon as I realised that mistake.

I haven't sent a rectification notice yet but will do asap. What's the best way to do this with CEL (as I can't seem to find an email address for them, phone?).

I've received a letter with 'dcbl' in the top left, with Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd directly under. There's the parking ticket information with a DCBL reference number.

Theres a big 'notice of debt recovery' with the amount. Additionally, the bellow are also in the letter:

"At this point, you are no longer able to appeal the parking charge. Your next opportunity to dispute the charge would be if the matter was taken to court."

"This case is not subject to High court or bailiff action, however, should you fail to contact us, we will recommend to our client the commencement of legal action against you"

No mention of Debt Collection Bailiffs Legal from what I can see.

KeithP

LindaSuizou205 said:

I've received a letter with 'dcbl' in the top left, with Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd directly under. There's the parking ticket information with a DCBL reference number.

Theres a big 'notice of debt recovery' with the amount. Additionally, the bellow are also in the letter:

"At this point, you are no longer able to appeal the parking charge. Your next opportunity to dispute the charge would be if the matter was taken to court."

"This case is not subject to High court or bailiff action, however, should you fail to contact us, we will recommend to our client the commencement of legal action against you"

No mention of Debt Collection Bailiffs Legal from what I can see.

A debt collector's letter.

The fourth post of the NEWBIES thread explains exactly how to deal with debt collector's letters, but to summarise that post - ignore them.

Gr1pr

The DPO details are on the CEL privacy page, email that DPO with the correct address for the service of papers and they must erase the old address 

Ignore the debt collectors letters 

Come back to this thread if you receive a Letter of Claim or a court claim within the next 6 years following the incident date 

Coupon-mad

Yes it is far too late to appeal but in the rogue self-serving PPC industry, the appeals services are not independent. You have missed nothing important.

An even better form of dispute resolution is next (court claim. Exactly what you want). Read the second post of the NEWBIES thread. DCB Legal will discontinue in 2025 and you'll win.

Nellymoser

And if you move house within those 6yrs inform CEL DPO of your new address.

LindaSuizou205

Thanks all for the quick responses, I'll sort the rectification notice now.

LindaSuizou205

Hello all! Hope you're doing good. 

I've finally received a small claims form from CEL.

Key dates:
I submitted the AOS after 4pm on 05/09/25. The issue date for the claim is 21/08/25.
I have holiday planned for the 10-17th September.

Questions:
1. What is the timescale & requirements for the 8 steps (after submitting my defense I'm I alloted more time to fill in subsequent forms ect)?
2. I've just moved address again annoyingly. I think I've updated my address everywhere needed but will MCOL/the courts use any other than what I provided when using MCOL?
3. For paragraph 3, I've taken verbatim what was given in this post as suggested (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81571257/#Comment_81571257)
4. Should I add any other info such as my previous denied appeal, receipt from using the gym the alleged date of offence, ect? Or modify any other sections?
5. Can you confirm I'm following the latest template? (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6108153/suggested-template-defence-to-adapt-for-all-parking-charge-cases-where-they-add-false-admin-costs/p1)

Thank you so much for your help in advance & let me know if I've made any mistakes / missed anything.

Car1980

I would state your change of address in your defence, and send it by email (add your statement of truth at the end and sign - don't forget) and state it again in the body of the email. And email DCB Legal.

But I'm sure you have mail forwarding.

1505grandad

Can you post a copy of the claim form redacting personal data including VRM, password etc. but leave all dates showing.