DCB Legal - Letter of Claim

Thehutch

Can anyone advise as to the next steps please after recieving this letter after numerous bullying debt collection letters.
The sum demanded is grossly unfair considering that on the day there was no means to pay due to machines being out of service and no signage to state how to pay. Adding to this, I never recieved a PCN although after contacting the parking managment company they disagree.

1505grandad

"Adding to this, I never recieved a PCN although after contacting the parking managment company they disagree."

Did you state when contacting the ppc who the driver was?

Coupon-mad

Next step at LBC stage is in the second post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST. 

Thehutch

1505grandad said:

"Adding to this, I never recieved a PCN although after contacting the parking managment company they disagree."

Did you state when contacting the ppc who the driver was?

I did not state who the driver was.

Thehutch

I have had a response, what would be the best action now?..............

We write in response to your correspondence received in our office dated 09/05/2025.

 

We now respond to the same as follows.

 

The parking charge has been issued due to parking without making payment. The signs on site would have clearly outlined the terms and conditions of the site.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. In order to identify the Registered Keeper of the vehicle, our client submitted a request for details to the DVLA. Your details were provided and thereafter notices were sent to you by our Client at your serviceable address. Those notices asked you to either make payment or, if you were not driving, nominate a driver by providing their name and full address. You did neither and as such you are now pursued on the basis that you were driving. On the balance of probabilities, if you were not the driver, you would have nominated. 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 on the basis that the amount is not a genuine pre-estimate of loss is, in fact, not a successful legal defence. 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.  For the avoidance of doubt, the outstanding balance consists of £100.00 for the breach in contract as per the signage displayed on site, and £70.00 debt recovery fee.  The HMRC ‘VAT Supply and Consideration manual’ (VATSC06140), confirmed that parking charge falls out of the scope of VAT. If there are any documents or information that you have requested, but that are not enclosed within this email, it is because we have deemed the request to be disproportionate and/or not relevant to the substantive issues in dispute. We respectfully draw your attention to paragraph 2.1(c) of the Protocol and remind you that both parties are expected to act reasonably and proportionately.  

 

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   
• Sort Code: 20-24-09   
• Account Number: 60964441

You must quote the correct case reference (117100.3264D) 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 and email address, 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,   [removed by Forum Team]Administration Associate  DCB Legal Ltd   Tel: 0203 434 0433 | DX 23457 Runcorn  

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81436667/#Comment_81436667

Car1980

Does my hon. Friend agree that private parking firms are running a racket in this country by adding debt recovery fees on top of already expensive parking fines? Will he join me in urging the Minister to bring forward the new regulatory code as soon as possible and ensure that it includes the ability to prevent the addition of "bailiffs’ charges" on top of already expensive fines? 

I agree completely. The £70 uplift that the recovery firms are charging is indefensible.

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-05-06/debates/DE2A42ED-5A2B-49E3-835E-CFD8ADB3806B/ParkingRegulation