Dreaded DCBL

tillymintxx

Hi everyone,

First off, thank you all for the brilliant advice shared on this forum, it’s been such a help already.

I recently received a Letter Before Court Claim regarding a EURO PARKS parking fine, which was actually the first bit of correspondence I ever received about it. I was completely caught off guard and had no idea how to respond, but thanks to the guidance on here, I emailed them using one of the suggested templates.

They've now replied, and I’m feeling unsure about what my next step should be. There’s loads of great info on here (which I’m still trying to fully understand), but I’m not quite sure what applies to my situation.

I’ve attached the full email thread below in case it helps anyone more experienced point me in the right direction.

Really appreciate any advice. thank you in advance!

---My email ---

To Whom it May Concern, 

Your Ref. 
Proposed Legal Proceedings
Claimant:Euro Parks Ltd

I refer to your  letter of claim which arrived 19/03/2025.I am the registered keeper of the vehicle. I am not obliged to identify the driver and I decline to do so. As there is no legal presumption that the keeper of a vehicle was its driver on any particular occasion, your client cannot pursue me as driver (see VCS v Edward, 2023).  

Furthermore, this is the very first letter I have received about said 'unpaid parking charge' and I am appalled by this threat of litigation. Were said unpaid parking charges sent via recorded and signed post? If so I would like proof, and if not, why not? 

I confirm that my address for service for the time being - assuming you don't faff about and delay any claim - is as follows, and any older address must be erased from your records:

x

The alleged debt is disputed and any court proceedings will be vigorously defended.

I am sourcing and seeking independent debt advice and as such, I formally request that this matter be put on hold for an additional 30 days, in accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims 2017 ('the PAP').

I note that the amount being claimed has increased by a hugely exaggerated amount which the Government called "extorting money from motorists".

Don't send me your usual blather about that.
I have two questions, and under the PAP I am entitled to specific answers:

1. Am I to understand that the additional £70 represents what you lot dress up as a 'Debt Recovery' fee, and if so, is this nett or inclusive of VAT? If the latter, would you kindly explain why I am being asked to pay the operator’s VAT?

2. With regard to the principal alleged PCN sum: Is this damages, or will it be pleaded as consideration for parking?

Yours faithfully

---They replied ----


Dear X 

We write in response to your correspondence received in our office dated 19/03/2025. 

We now respond to the same as follows. 

When parking on private land, the contractual terms of the site are set out on the signs. You are entering a contract and agreeing to the terms by parking and staying on the site. Parking in breach of the terms as stipulated on the signage means that you are then breaking the terms of the contract. To confirm your Parking Charge were issued due to the following reason ‘The Pay and Display/permit Purchased Did Not Cover The Date And Time Of Parking.’ As stated above, due to the vehicle registration not having the correct payment our Clients position remains unchanged, and the balance remains outstanding. 

In accordance with the British Parking Association (BPA) Code of Practice, where the parking charge becomes overdue and before Court proceedings have commenced, a reasonable sum may be added for the debt recovery fees. The correct recovery fees have been added and will not be removed. It would have been made clear in the terms and conditions set out in the signs that additional enforcement costs may be incurred in the event of non-payment. 

The sum added is a contribution to the actual costs incurred by our Client as a result of your non-payment. Our Client’s employees have spent time and material attempting to recover the debt. This is not our Client’s usual business, and the resources could have been better spent in other areas of the business. Had you of paid as per the Contract, there would have been no need for recovery action so the amount due would not have increased. 

The amount owed is a genuine pre-estimate of the losses incurred in managing the parking location to ensure compliance with the clearly displayed terms and conditions. However, in Parking Eye Ltd v Beavis, it was found, both at County Court and Court of Appeal level, that appealing a Parking Charge Notice on the basis that the amount is not a genuine pre-estimate of loss is, in fact, not a successful legal defence. 

The HMRC ‘VAT Supply and Consideration manual’ (VATSC06140), confirmed that parking charge notices falls out of the scope of VAT.  

You now have 30 days from the date of this email/letter to make payment of £170.00. Failure to make payment will result in a Claim being issued against you without any further reference. 

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our designated client account: - 

• Account Name: DCB Legal Ltd Client Account    

You must quote the correct case reference (X) when making payment. If you do not, we may be unable to correctly allocate the payment. If further action is taken by us as a result of an incorrect reference being quoted, you will be liable for any further fees or costs incurred. 

We would ask that you kindly furnish us with your most up to date telephone number, this can be emailed to us at info@dcblegal.co.uk.  

Alternatively, you can contact DCB Legal Ltd on 0203 838 7038 to make payment over the telephone or online 

Kind Regards, 

 

Gr1pr

Dcb Legal are not DCBL ( DCBL are powerless debt collectors   )

You now await an N1SDT court claim pack from the CNBC in Northampton to arrive in the post in a couple of months time 

Meanwhile you could report DCB Legal   ( its not DCBL  ) to HMRC with possible VAT concerns,  same as all the others 

DE_612183

Have you contacted the landowner and complained?