DCB Legal & First Parking - 2 x university parking court claims 3 weeks apart

KeithP

With a Claim Issue Date of 29th May, you have until Tuesday 17th June 2025 to file an Acknowledgment of Service('AOS'), but there is nothing to be gained by delaying it. 

To file an AOS, follow the guidance in the Dropbox file linked from the second post in the NEWBIES thread.

Having filed an AOS in a timely manner, you have until 4pm on Tuesday 1st July 2025 to file a Defence.

That's nearly four weeks away. Plenty of time to produce a Defence, but please don't leave it to the last minute.

To create a Defence, and then file a Defence by email, look again at the second post on the NEWBIES thread - immediately following where you found the AOS guidance.

Don't miss the deadline for filing an AOS, nor that for filing a Defence.

Do not try and file a Defence via the MoneyClaimOnline website. Once an AOS has been filed, the MCOL website should be treated as 'read only'.

Pandemonium78

OK thanks, so when I get the second claim (which am sure I will in 3 weeks time) it is relevant.  So if I do a search for Henderson V Henderson when I need to find info on it in the forum, will I find it?  Trying to help myself as much as poss.

Coupon-mad

Unless you have had a LBC in May for it, you won't get a second claim in 3 weeks. They aren't based on PCN issue date.

Pandemonium78

I've had a Letter of Claim for both PCNs

Coupon-mad

And did or didn't respond?

Pandemonium78

I have sent the email advised on the forum to DCB Legal for both PCNs - I sent them on the same day - one for the first PCN, albeit 36 days after the date on the letter of claim because I didn't come across it until then.
I checked the post box later ton the same day and a Letter of Claim had arrived for the second PCN, so I ended up ending separate emails to DCB Legal on the same day for both PCNs.

I have now received the Court claim pack today for the first PCN and have submitted the AoS for that.

Coupon-mad

Ah - OK - so you might want to wait till nearer the end of your deadline to defend then could do the same defence for both and cite Henderson v Henderson.

Pandemonium78

In that case can I ask, because I am still unsure @KeithP is the deadline for submitting my defence for the first PCN definitely 1st July?
(recap: Letter of claim dated 28 Apr 25, Claim pack from HM Courts dated 29 May 25, AoC submitted 05 Jun 25) 
I will wait until second claim pack received from HM Courts to reply if it lies within the deadline.

Coupon-mad

@KeithP is correct.

Pandemonium78

Just posting this on my thread to have handy for reference:

THE FIRST 12 STEPS:

1. Print your Defence if you are physically signing it.
2. Sign it and date it.
3. Scan the signed document back in and save it as a pdf, OR if you have no access to a scanner/printer then put an electronic signature in.
4. Send your signed & dated pdf as an email attachment to ClaimResponses.CNBC@justice.gov.uk (the second one in the image above) but you MUST get an acknowledgement straight back or it is NOT submitted.
5. Just put the claim number (check it very carefully) and the word Defence in the email title, and in the body of the email something like 'URGENT - CLAIM XXXXXXXX - Defence attached.
6. IMPORTANT - MAKE SURE YOU GET AN EMAIL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BACK FROM THE CNBC!   After filing your Defence, there is more to do.
7. *****Do not be surprised to receive an early copy of the Claimant's Directions Questionnaire and the usual intimidating template letter saying they 'intend to proceed'. Nothing of interest there. Just file it.  YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT TWO MONTHS OR SO FOR THE NEXT STEP TO HAPPEN:***
8. Wait for your own Directions Questionnaire from the CNBC and then complete it as described in post #2 of the NEWBIES thread. All the DQ questions are there, except NOTE: IMPORTANT: early telephone Mediation is now compulsory in 2024. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6529913/new-n180-form-mediation-appears-to-be-mandatory/p1?new=1
9. YOU MUST GIVE THE MEDIATOR 5 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TO AVOID ADVERSE COSTS RISK -  see here:  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80935749/#Comment_80935749   And search the forum for Compulsory Mediation waste good day. Another example:   https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81148195/#Comment_81148195
10. Except in cases where you have filed a counterclaim (which are allocated to your local court quicker and the CNBC is no longer involved) the completed DQ should be returned by email to the CCBC to this address:  DQ.CNBC@justice.gov.uk.       Cc a copy of your completed DQ to the Claimant (or their solicitor if they are using one).  Their postal address is on your Claim Form but you can find an email for them by searching this forum. 
11. DO NOT USE RECORDED (OR SPECIAL) DELIVERY FOR ANYTHING TO A PARKING FIRM OR THEIR SOLICITOR.   DO NOT EXPECT ROGUE FIRMS TO SIGN FOR YOUR LETTERS.  IF THEY DON'T, ALL YOU HAVE IS PROOF OF NON-DELIVERY, WHICH IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU NEED!
12. Will you have to attend a hearing? MAYBE yes, but usually, these claims are struck out or the PPC discontinues (very common with DCB Legal!).   Will that hearing be at Northampton?  NO!  That's just a central starting point for claims.  If you are an individual, you get the choose your local court. You do NOT want your case 'heard on the papers' (absolutely no).  You want a hearing. You can claim your costs if you win, the hearing might never happen and you risk nothing (no CCJ, no huge costs) by defending, because if you were among the handful who report a loss here you'd have 30 days to pay and it would be less than on the claim form (£185 - £212 total).