UK Car Park Management Gladstones claim

Stableintrovert

Hello, I've had an update from Gladstones, so they've definitely paid the court fee.  The date is 31st July.  Does this mean I don't have to attend either?  Thank you in advance for any advice:

We act for the Claimant in the above matter. 

Please find attached, by way of service, the Claimant's Witness Statement.     

In accordance with CPR 27.9 our Client hereby gives notice that it will not be attending the hearing. 

We confirm the court has been informed and that we have asked the Court to decide the claim in our Client's absence based on the evidence submitted. 

We confirm the statement has been filed at the Court. 

Le_Kirk

It would be foolhardy for you not to attend; the claimant will send a paid-by-the-hour advocate and will, in your absence, walk all over your evidence.  Did you receive a copy of their WS and have you submitted your own on time?

Stableintrovert

Oh okay thank you so it doesn't mean nobody is attending?  I did, and I haven't yet although I have it drafted. I was waiting to see if they paid the court fee yesterday.  

Coupon-mad

Stableintrovert said:

Oh okay thank you so it doesn't mean nobody is attending?  I did, and I haven't yet although I have it drafted. I was waiting to see if they paid the court fee yesterday.  

OK, have a look at the WS by   @Rinches19 who is at the same stage as you with a Gladstones Joshua Reid WS that you can pull apart as usual.

Stableintrovert

Hello I have my court date tomorrow. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thank you so much

Le_Kirk

If it is not too late, search the forum for  tips.

Stableintrovert

I did, thank you and I WON!!!

Stableintrovert

I can't thank you all enough for your help, particularly @Johnersh
@car1980 @Coupon-mad and @Le_Kirkfor making me go!.  Nobody turned up for the Claimant. it was all very formal (obviously) but Judge listened to everything and in her judgment said that on balance of probability taking into account the extensive witness statements provided, the Court is satisfied that my son was the driver of the vehicle.  She touched on the ambiguity of POFA but said my evidence was 'credible and articulate' or something, which was nice. She even awarded me costs for my loss of earnings and travel.

Coupon-mad

Stableintrovert said:

I can't thank you all enough for your help, particularly @Johnersh
@car1980 @Coupon-mad and @Le_Kirkfor making me go!.  Nobody turned up for the Claimant. it was all very formal (obviously) but Judge listened to everything and in her judgment said that on balance of probability taking into account the extensive witness statements provided, the Court is satisfied that my son was the driver of the vehicle.  She touched on the ambiguity of POFA but said my evidence was 'credible and articulate' or something, which was nice. She even awarded me costs for my loss of earnings and travel.

Yay, congrats! Costs as well.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

While your case is quiet, we need you:

It's very important that people like you join us to reply to the new Public Consultation, to tell the Government - whilst you're still fired up about this utter waste if your time - that:

a) you have no faith in POPLA or the IAS and that there must be the SINGLE APPEALS SERVICE that the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 promised the public. As long as it is independent (and only ONE 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).  THAT THE ENRICHMENT OF 'DEBT RECOVERY FEES' MUST BE COMPLETELY BANNED. DISPUTED CASES ARE NOT SOLVED BY A THIRD PARTY DEMANDING MORE MONEY AND OFFERING A 'PAYMENT PLAN' AT EXTRA COST, WHICH SHOULDN'T BE LEGAL FOR DEBT COLLECTORS.

c). Tell them about your experience and that your case progressed to court stage, precisely because (a) and (b) above mean there is no option, no safeguard for consumers EXCEPT court claims. You saw it through and won at a hearing but most people are frightened into paying up. This court race must be stopped.

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

Do it in August pleeease! We will discuss it all in more detail in the coming weeks on that thread so do come back in a fortnight.

Stableintrovert

I'm on it. Least I can do after the help I've received.