UK PARKING CONTROL FINE GONE INTO MEDIATION .. WHAT CAN I DO NOW?

ale8966

Hi, I followed all your steps to fight a UK Parking Control fine up until the stage I received the notice of allocation to the small claims track, which i sent on the 19th of September.
This morning I received a text from GOV UK with a reminder for the Mediation service, stating the date and time, which is on the 12th November. `They tell me to refer to the details stated in the email/letter, but i have not received anything???
I went to look back at the screenshots I had taken of the form, and unfortunately it is the new version, where you have no way to opt out for the mediation. Here is what it says on the mediation paragraph:

 Settlement/Mediation

Under the Civil Procedure Rules parties should make every effort to settle their case. At this stage you should still think about whether you and the other partyies) can settle your dispute without going to a hearing.

You may seek to settle the claim either by direct discussion with the other party or by private or court mediation. If settlement is reached, parties may enter into a binding agreement which can be enforced if the terms of the agreement were to be breached.

Mediation is a way of resolving disputes without a court hearing, where the parties are assisted in resolving their dispute with the help of an impartial mediator. Mediation is usually carried out by telephone in one hour time limited appointments.

As part of your case, HMCTS will provide a free, confidential Small Claims Mediation Service. For all money claims for £10,000 or less, parties are required to attend a mediation appointment organised by the Small Claims Mediation Service.

If you do not attend mediation, you may be subject to penalties.

These could include the Judge ordering you to pay costs, or the Judge automatically ruling in favour of the other party(ies).

If the claim is settled at this stage the parties can avoid further court fees, costs and time involved in preparing and attending a hearing. If you are unable to reach agreement with the other party at mediation, the claim will proceed to a small claims hearing.

You can get more information about mediation from www.gov.uk.

I have read on the thread that it would be better not to go to mediation, but it looks like I cannot refuse it.. what can I do at this stage? Is my battle lost now?

Many thanks for all your help!

Gr1pr

No, not lost, but joining a telephone call mediation hearing is compulsory now , on cases since may 2024

Take the call, offer nothing, tell the mediator that you cannot compromise so want the case to go to a hearing, politely end the call

Then carry on as usual 

Ps, you should have had a letter about the mediation hearing , there are numerous threads on here over the last few months regarding the mediation hearing 

PPS

If this is the same case that you posted about over a year ago, you should have posted on that thread, not started a new thread 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6463928/can-anyone-please-have-a-look-at-my-defence-letter-draft#latest

Mediation wasn't compulsory for cases started in 2023, so can be refused, plus its not a fine 

Coupon-mad

You have received a Mediation email.

Why aren't you following the first 12 steps? Mediation is covered.

ale8966

Thank you both, and apologies, yes, that thread is mine, I wasn’t sure if I had to start an new thread or continue on the old one.
I haven’t received a mediation letter or email, the only thing I received after I filled in the form is the text I mentioned in my post, but i will look for the mediation posts in here, and I will follow your advice and tell the mediator I cannot compromise and I want the case to go to hearing.
I am getting a little nervous as I thought they’d drop it by now, but it looks like I will have really to go to court…

ale8966

Can somebody point me to the 12 steps again please? I had saved the link but i cannot find it anymore.
many thanks

Coupon-mad

Please post on your thread, where you already have the link to the NEWBIES thread there.

DUPLICATE THREAD

NO REPLIES HERE PLEASE

KeithP

ale8966 said:

Can somebody point me to the 12 steps again please? I had saved the link but i cannot find it anymore.
many thanks

Refresh your memory by having another read of your earlier thread about this parking incident.