DCBL notice of debt recovery re penalty notice from Eurocarparks of June 2022

PuffStew

Hello there,

Got the above notice from DCB regarding a parking charge notice of June 2022, which at the time I was informed was part of a scam so I ignored it.

I'm quoting the letter: 
"A Supreme Court ruling of November 2015 reinforced that is lawful for parking operator to pursue payment of a correctly issued unpaid parking charge through the County Court. The case was an important test case for companies like our client (meaning Eurocarparks).
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."

The letter also has a graphic reading "Can't pay? We'll take it away - as exclusively featured on the popular TV show"

Has anyone else received this, is this lawful, and what's the best course of action?
 
Thanks in advance.

Gr1pr

Study the newbies sticky thread in announcements, especially post 4

They probably post tens of thousands of those letters annually, nothing to see there, move along 

Ignore the debt collectors letters like from DCBL 

Come back to this thread if you receive a Letter of Claim from companies like DCB Legal, plus any court claim pack from the CNBC in Northampton using MCOL, when they eventually sue you 

PS , it's definitely not a Penalty notice, ECP don't issue Penalty notices, its an unpaid Parking Charge Notice 

PuffStew

Impressive, that's what I call a quick response!

Thanks for the instructions and advice 👍

PuffStew

Hello Gr1pr,

A quick update: things have escalated since my previous post I've had three more letters from DCBL – the threatening tone increasing with each one – last one received on March 10th.

I've been away for a few weeks and on my return found a letter from HM Courts & Tribunals Service, issued on April 8th in the Civil National Business Centre Northampton, saying:

"We are contacting you because of someone claims you one them money, and a money claim has been made against you" (with the claim attached) 
and:
"You must respond to the claim before the response date on the form and if you do not respond to this claim, the claimant could request a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you."

There are several options as to how to respond within 14 days of the date of service, including doing it online, and since it's a bit late notice I think that's what I will do.
The option I have in mind is Defence and Counterclaim (Form N9B) and I'm hoping that you will confirm this.

I was pretty reassured by your previous message. What would your advice/instructions be this time?

Thanks in advance.

Coupon-mad

You just have a Claim Form like everyone else on every second thread! This needs action.

I'm concerned you seem unprepared. Looks like you didn't read the Announcement threads yet.

Read some threads exactly like yours - come off this little thread and read some next to yours on page one right now. We do dozens of court claim defences here every day! Have you not read any DCB Legal claim threads?

My signature tells every poster how to navigate to page one in a nanosecond. Hop there and read other claim threads to see how easy this is.

Obviously you don't do a counterclaim nor fill in any forms. But you MUST acknowledge the Claim Form then - separately, by email to the CNBC - defend (dead easy).

This is already fully explained in the SECOND POST of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST.

Template Defence is right there for you.

Gr1pr

As above 

Login to MCOL and complete the AOS online as explained in the 2nd post in the newbies sticky thread in announcements,  today if possible,  because you are close to the deadline for filing it

Then start drafting your defence,  based on the template defence thread advice 

PuffStew

Thanks Coupon-mad and Gr1pr, 

Had read the suggested pages when I first came to the forum but it looks like I didn't read enough, so yes, a bit unprepared.

Checked again the dates and I have enough time to prepare defence and send all necessary docs.
I'm on it, will keep you informed.

On a side note, I'm amazed that this is such a common occurrence and feel sorry for those who fell for it and paid the 'fines'.

PuffStew

AOS online completed earlier today, it was acknowledged and I got the following note:

"Your Defence is due for submission 33 days from the issue date on the claim form –Calendar days –Weekends & Bank Holidays included –Note it in your diary."

Looking now at templates and other notes on NEWBIES in order to prepare defence.

Thanks again Coupon-mad and Gr1pr 👍👍

PuffStew

Hello there,

Got a letter from HMC &TC yesterday asking me to respond to a claim dated 12 June 2025 (see enclosed).
It doesn't make sense that they ask me to respond to the claim 'before the response date on the enclosed form'.

Called them today and they tell me they didn't receive my defence sent on 11 May.
I checked my 'sent folder' and in effect the email was sent but I didn't get an automated response. Asked the person to double check on this and they will contact me if they have an issue with their mail inbox.

I intend to appeal now and wonder if you have any advice.

Thanks. 

Gr1pr

Email claim.responses with the defence,  with the headline  , URGENT,  UNPROCESSED DOCUMENTS  followed by the claim reference number,  stating the date that the original email was sent too

You should have checked that you received that auto email response from the CNBC,  plus you should have been checking your MCOL claim history too

Hopefully they will sort it out 

At this stage it's a complaint,  not an appeal