Quick question on court costs

advice101

Hi all

I have, what I hope is, a fairly simple question -  If Excel/DCBL take me to court, and, using the guidance on this forum from now I still do not win, what might the total cost to me be then please versus settling now (£170)? I have read various threads which seem to indicate I would be very unlikely to not win but just want to out line the circumstances in case anyone thinks I should not proceed to court.  

Summary:

I missed signage that the parking regime had changed to “pay in advance” from the “pay at end” it had always been.  I paid when I left but got a PCN from Excel.  Argued it was after the February change in guidance (new single code of practice SCOP) banning the 10 minute window to pay but was told as I had not paid in full, I did not qualify.  I had paid £2.50 per the machine cost based on my registration, as unbeknownst to me they’d introduced an evening tariff which was 50p less than the day tariff and so the machine had charged me that rate as it was past 6pm when I paid.  It had always been a flat day rate at weekends previously.  Signs looked no different at first glance.  Nothing clear to alert driver to a change in the payment regime.  Excel offer £20 charge (down from £60) if it’s a genuine mistake but they said mine was not a genuine error.  The mind boggles as to what is a genuine error but having found this resource now, I realise the appeals were nothing of the sort and it was always stacked against me.

Unfortunately, didn’t find this resource before making some errors.  I confirmed driver details and appealed to both Excel Parking and IAS.  All appeals refused.  Appreciate I should not have done any of that.

I now have a debt collection letter from DCBL which I understand I must ignore.  I am willing to follow the guidance here including going to court, if it gets that far, but the one question above remains my prime concern.  If it goes to court and having followed the guidance here, I do not win, what might the total cost to me be then?  I do feel the whole process is as far from fair as it is possible to get, but clearly I don’t want to be hundreds of pounds out of pocket if it turns out I am one of the 1% that does not win.   I need to understand the risk so can anyone advise please?

ChirpyChicken

There is no risk. 

Coupon-mad

The NEWBIES thread already tells you this.

If a case goes as far as a hearing (which it may do with Excel) a losing defendant is typically ordered to pay £212. Altogether.

Not much different from the £170 rip-off they are after now! So there's no risk. Please just follow the process from now on. We know what we're doing.

advice101

Hi Coupon-mad

Read the Newbie thread and others, but must have missed that point.  Apologies.  Thanks for the support. We will wait and see then.