NPC / DCBL Notice of Debt Recovery. Advice Needed before Midnight Please.

NPCBullies

[If possible- please can somebody offer advice today]

Hi,

To clarify, before summarising the situation, I have read tons of old posts and and all of the beginner guide (which is incredibly useful).

I received a parking fine from NPC at Myrtle Parade, Liverpool, L77AA around 4 months ago after parking there for 15 minutes assuming that a street adjacent to basic grocery shops (Tesco express, international market, KFC, etc...) would at least have a 30m period at minimum- similar to how I don't check the sign when entering a Sainsbury's car park for example. I was obviously wrong, lesson learned, and NPC came hunting me soon after for £60 I believe it was (later increased to £100).

I submitted an appeal given that I truly felt unfairly treated that a 15-minute grocery shopping trip whilst waiting in the Tesco express queue was not justifying of a £60 fine with no loss of landowner earnings (the car park had lots of other free spots). I followed the full MSE template on the appeal with the main reasons being (1) extortionate charge for time in car park, (2) signs weren't clear at night, and (3) there should be an initial grace period as the loss to community that will massively impact local shop earnings- there's even a local petition to abolish the charges that has 739 signatures (can't paste link but google it)

The appeal was rejected by NPC (obviously) and I escalated to IAS who also rejected sadly on the basis that signage is clear enough (in fairness- the signage is extremely clear in the day, partly clear at night), having no grace period is just part of the contract as stated on signs, and loss to owner is proportionate to fine. This was all within an email that said to contact NPC to pay within the next 28 days (that I most likely would have tbh) but my dad has been in and out of hospital and work has been extremely busy so I forgot.

I checked my letterbox this morning to find a DCBL notice of debt recovery £170 (same as pics on beginner guide) with date of letter 12th March meaning 14-day deadline is today. I have not contacted any of the businesses on the street as I don't really understand this- i.e. would I just email tesco express directly- surely I won't receive a reply? I phoned two of the chinese shops who said it's not in their control at all to cancel etc...

From the beginner's guide the next step is to just ignore the DCBL letter given they have no authority- DCBL spam called me this morning which I told them I'm not paying the £170 fine as the £70 has come from nowhere (they said it was just extra charges) and ignored all their calls since reading the beginner's guide. The concerns/questions however I have are:

1. The cases here that are taken to DCL legal and then they end up winning the case. I see lots of comments how 99% they dismiss before taking to court but- my question is where are the examples of the 1% that are taken and defendants lose? Where are the 1% posts where DCL don't dismiss prior to the court hearing? That's what I'm most worried about as I do honestly think they have grounds to fine me as the signage is clear on review.
2. Related to the above- then what are the extra fees? Will the next letter be £270 for example? What will be the legal fees that DCBL threatened over the phone (as expected)
3. Will this be put on any credit score or on record? I have a job that can't have this sort of thing on any record and planning on buying a house very soon.

Thank you so much in advance- message me today I can provide anything else needed as want to decide before midnight whether to pay or not.

Coupon-mad

But there's no deadline today. You know to ignore that letter because you say you read the fourth post of the NEWBIES thread already.

YOU DO NOT HAVE A DILEMMA!

THERE IS NO DEADLINE.

YOU WILL NEVER PAY A PENNY.

Re answers to your questions:

1. The cases here that are taken to DCL legal and then they end up winning the case. I see lots of comments how 99% they dismiss before taking to court but- my question is where are the examples of the 1% that are taken and defendants lose? Where are the 1% posts where DCL don't dismiss prior to the court hearing? That's what I'm most worried about as I do honestly think they have grounds to fine me as the signage is clear on review.

The 1% doesn't relate only to DCB Legal. 1% is the number of cases we see lost in the end. We've been monitoring case outcomes since 2016 which is before DCB Legal were even thought of (they started up in 2017/18). DCB Legal hearings are so rare I can't even think of one (and not for single PCNs). We have 503 discontinuances proven since 2022 though. That's what DCB do.

2. Related to the above- then what are the extra fees? Will the next letter be £270 for example? What will be the legal fees that DCBL threatened over the phone (as expected).

But the second post of the NEWBIES thread already tells you this. People who lose (at hearings, which DCB Legal don't do for single PCN cases) see the added £70 disallowed if the D argues it properly. They pay less than the claim. Usually £212 all told (including PCN).

Or you can settle at Mediation phone call early stage for as little as a tenner or £20. Have you missed reading about that court stage that ISN'T OPEN TO YOU UNTIL YOU DEFEND A CLAIM FORM? Of course you want that stage not this daft threatogram rubbish stage!

3. Will this be put on any credit score or on record? I have a job that can't have this sort of thing on any record and planning on buying a house very soon.

Of course not. Please re-read the SECOND POST of the Newbies thread. Relax!

NPCBullies

Coupon-mad said:

But there's no deadline today. You know to ignore that letter because you say you read the fourth post of the NEWBIES thread already.

YOU DO NOT HAVE A DILEMMA!

THERE IS NO DEADLINE.

YOU WILL NEVER PAY A PENNY.

Re answers to your questions:

1. The cases here that are taken to DCL legal and then they end up winning the case. I see lots of comments how 99% they dismiss before taking to court but- my question is where are the examples of the 1% that are taken and defendants lose? Where are the 1% posts where DCL don't dismiss prior to the court hearing? That's what I'm most worried about as I do honestly think they have grounds to fine me as the signage is clear on review.

The 1% doesn't relate only to DCB Legal. 1% is the number of cases we see lost in the end. We've been monitoring case outcomes since 2016 which is before DCB Legal were even thought of (they started up in 2017/18). DCB Legal hearings are so rare I can't even think of one (and not for single PCNs). We have 503 discontinuances proven since 2022 though. That's what DCB do.

2. Related to the above- then what are the extra fees? Will the next letter be £270 for example? What will be the legal fees that DCBL threatened over the phone (as expected).

But the second post of the NEWBIES thread already tells you this. People who lose (at hearings, which DCB Legal don't do for single PCN cases) see the added £70 disallowed if the D argues it properly. They pay less than the claim. Usually £212 all told (including PCN).

Or you can settle at Mediation phone call early stage for as little as a tenner or £20. Have you missed reading about that court stage that ISN'T OPEN TO YOU UNTIL YOU DEFEND A CLAIM FORM? Of course you want that stage not this daft threatogram rubbish stage!

3. Will this be put on any credit score or on record? I have a job that can't have this sort of thing on any record and planning on buying a house very soon.

Of course not. Please re-read the SECOND POST of the Newbies thread. Relax!

Thank you- I was hoping it was you who was going to reply based on previous posts.

Maybe I posted this as just needing second confirmation in my head as the scare tactics do genuinely work a tiny bit sometimes- especially when legal action comes into it. In your second answer I assume that if it does go to hearing (maybe it's not DCB that carries forward the action... idk) and I end up paying £212 (purely thinking worst case scenario) then that wouldn't affect my credit score/go on record either right?

Clear on all your comments- I will ignore then update when the following letter comes through/if DCB legal get in contact with me.

Sorry for pestering the same things in the newbies post- I'd like to extend a HUGE thank you on behalf of I assume everybody in this entire thread on all the time you spend replying to others that need help. You're a godsend to the community.

Coupon-mad

I end up paying £212 (purely thinking worst case scenario) then that wouldn't affect my credit score/go on record either right?

Right. We don't risk anyone's credit rating.

If people lose a small claim at a hearing they just pay and no CCJ appears at all.

NPCBullies

Coupon-mad said:

I end up paying £212 (purely thinking worst case scenario) then that wouldn't affect my credit score/go on record either right?

Right. We don't risk anyone's credit rating.

If people lose a small claim at a hearing they just pay and no CCJ appears at all.

Thank you again- I will keep you updated on any follow-ups and fingers crossed the final discontinuation

NPCBullies

Hey! A long 3 months later update and just received the letter of claim from DCBLegal (see letter attached with personal info hidden).

Followed the newbie guide- sent an email requesting them to extend by 30 days and the 2x template questions. Also requested a SAR from NPC.

Assuming that the “you should either make payment using one of the methods detailed overleaf or complete the Reply Form and financial statement” can be completely ignored (?)

Will send an update once the actual court claim comes and follow the defence steps afterwards.

Coupon-mad

Please don't show us their reply yet again though...spare us!