Ignored the letters now received Court Claim

AppealAvenger2000

So I have a Mediation Appointment on towards the end of the month, i did seach the pined/sticky threads but theres no mention of what to do on the call, but from other readers it looks like they will offer a settlement fee and start high and end up at 30 quid, im happy for this to go away for that amount so do i just start at 0 and work my way up slowly?

Gr1pr

Correct,  but £0, then £10 , then £20 etc,  same as haggling in Egypt or Turkey 

Coupon-mad

AppealAvenger2000 said:

So I have a Mediation Appointment on towards the end of the month, i did seach the pined/sticky threads but theres no mention of what to do on the call, but from other readers it looks like they will offer a settlement fee and start high and end up at 30 quid, im happy for this to go away for that amount so do i just start at 0 and work my way up slowly?

That's odd.

It is in the Template Defence sticky.

There's no need to make any offer.

Please stick around to do the Public Consultation this month. Closes soon!

Coupon-mad

This is how to change the law.

What parking operators do is is a national disgrace and a drain on Society, in terms of money and anxiety. To be part of the push to change things in future, it's very important that people like you tell the Government that:

a) motorists have no faith in POPLA or the IAS and that there must be a SINGLE APPEALS SERVICE that people trust. The sector is crying out for an independent and impartial appeals service - not two involved in a race to the bottom - that will give a real option to resolve disputed cases out of court. 

b).  THE ENRICHMENT OF 'DEBT RECOVERY FEES' MUST BE COMPLETELY BANNED. CASES ARE NOT SOLVED BY DEMANDING MORE MONEY AND OFFERING A 'PAYMENT PLAN' THAT ONLY THE VULNERABLE PAY. DRAS LIKE DCB LEGAL MAKE NO MONEY IF THEY HANDLE DISPUTES IN THE SPIRIT OF THE APPEALS CHARTER, WHICH IS WHY THEY ALWAYS PLOUGH ON TO COURT CLAIMS AND CCJs, RATHER THAN OFFERING REAL RESOLUTION AT PRE-ACTION STAGE. THEY OFFER NOTHING, NO LEGITIMATE OPTION TO KEEP CASES OUT OF COURT.

Responses are invited to the Consultation now:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617396/parking-code-of-practice-consultation-8-weeks-from-11th-july-2025/p1

We will discuss it further in a few days or at the weekend on that thread if you want more focus.

AppealAvenger2000

I had my Small Claims Mediation Service call today. The claimant opened by demanding the full £265. I started at £10 as a goodwill offer (while making clear I denied liability).

They dropped to £175, then later £140, but I moved very slowly — £20, then £25. I kept repeating that it was a no-liability offer. In the end, they accepted my £25 full and final settlement. I was prepared to go up to £35, so this is a great outcome compared to the inflated claim.

The guidance on this forum was invaluable — especially the defence template and the step-by-step advice on how to complete the Directions Questionnaire. Having those resources made the whole process much easier and gave me the confidence to stand firm on the call.

@Coupon-mad@Gr1pr If I can buy you a coffee, please send me your details! 

Coupon-mad

AppealAvenger2000 said:

I had my Small Claims Mediation Service call today. The claimant opened by demanding the full £265. I started at £10 as a goodwill offer (while making clear I denied liability).

They dropped to £175, then later £140, but I moved very slowly — £20, then £25. I kept repeating that it was a no-liability offer. In the end, they accepted my £25 full and final settlement. I was prepared to go up to £35, so this is a great outcome compared to the inflated claim.

The guidance on this forum was invaluable — especially the defence template and the step-by-step advice on how to complete the Directions Questionnaire. Having those resources made the whole process much easier and gave me the confidence to stand firm on the call.

@Coupon-mad and @Gr1pr If I can buy you a coffee, please send me your details! 

Great stuff - dunno about  @Gr1pr but I am a tea gal, not coffee. 

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

£25 is a win because the claim cost their client £35 (well it seems DCB Legal may - like others in this game - 'front' that fee but recharge it and their DRA fee back against the client, who is probably none the wiser because overall they make stacks of cash every month).

This industry is are rinsing the public for a fortune.

Glad the forum guided you well. Rather than send us a virtual cuppa, all we ask is please please do the government's Public Consultation.

We need every poster to come back & complete this vital Consultation before the deadline next week.

See this thread: -

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617396/parking-code-of-practice-consultation-8-weeks-from-11th-july-2025/p1

We understand that you may need some pointers. It looks laborious, we get that. It doesn't matter; no knowledge is needed except re your own experiences so you can call out a scam industry and you'll protect millions of motorists and help change the law.

I've written some guidance on that thread. I have covered almost every question, providing ideas if you agree with our stance on things like DRFs, which we say must be banned.

Ordinary people like you are falling victim to this scam 15 million times per annum. Motorists need your voice added please.

CLOSES ON FRIDAY.

Gr1pr

I hate coffee  ! ,  I can't even stand the smell never mind the taste lol, so 100% agree with CM regarding tea, with milk of course 

When you prefer to settle at the mediation stage , as you have done,  this stance of yours was a perfect example of the game,  so very well done.  It helps us to know that the free advice is sound on here