Fighting parking fine, at stage, after the defence submitted

Car1980

However, if I understood the law correctly, the court has set the date for witness statement to be submitted in order to have - simultaneous exchange and just in rare cases they can approve a suplemental WS if any crucial new evidence has been brought to light.

As long as you meet that deadline the parties have complied. Anybody can send anything to the judge, if they copy the other side in, but it risks irritating them.
If they wanted a go back and forth they should have applied to have it heard on the papers. It does suggest they aren't keen on appearing in person if they want to have the argument before the hearing via the postman.
You can immediately object to the extra WS if you wish at the hearing and ask for it to be dismissed as they a) haven't appeared to explain or b) have appeared but are intent on arguing before the hearing has even commenced.

maxim024

No, they have stated within the WS that they won't attend the hearing.

Gr1pr

The parking company won't be attending the hearing 

Gladstones won't be attending the hearing 

But that doesn't mean that an advocate won't be there,  they usually do attend on behalf of the claimant 

So by saying "they" conveys nothing 

Coupon-mad

maxim024 said:

No, they have stated within the WS that they won't attend the hearing.

Yeah we know, they always say that. They send a rep.