UKPS/Moorside. Defence Filed. No Response. Now what?

BillyJoeJimBob

One evening January 2023 I unknowingly parked on private land. Not to drag out the details - there were signs but they were so small and the area so dark that I genuinely didn't see them and so I contend that no contract  was made - I wasn't aware of the terms.

I got a parking charge notice a week later from UKPS ltd, which came as a complete surprise. I revisited the site on foot and took video of the site to demonstrate how invisible the signage was... just in case.

Over the weeks and months the inevitable series of scary pressurising letters and invoices arrived from UKPS and Moorside Legal. I ignored all of these completely.

Finally, UKPS filed a county court claim in April 2025. I filed a brief defence essentially saying "your signs weren't visible hence no contract, and I have video evidence that I believe will convince the court of that." The defence was submitted within the correct time period, on May 3rd 2025.

On 9th May 2025 I got a letter  from HM Court and Tribunals Service acknowledging receipt of my defence, and stating that the complainant now had 28 days after receiving my defence to proceed with the case, otherwise it would be stayed.

On 19th May 2025 I received an email from UKPS saying that they had reviewed my defence and - surprise surprise - they had come to the conclusion that I should pay them some money. This was a direct message from UKPS/Moorside and did not involve the court or any mediator. I ignored this message and have heard nothing further from HM Court Service or from the claimant.

So... what now...? It's 1st July 2025 and so it has been way longer than 28 days  since May 3rd. I assume  that the case has been "stayed"? I have no way of checking the case status that I know of, and I'm not keen to deviate from my previous policy and engage with the complainant - to "poke the bear." What happens now? I'm happy  to turn up to court and argue my case if needed, but we seem to be in limbo.

What happens next? Is the case "stayed"? And if so, what does that mean?

Coupon-mad

No it probably hasn't been stayed. The CNBC admin is terrible.

Log into your MCOL 'History' using the password on the claim form and look to see if a DQ has been posted to you yet.

BillyJoeJimBob

First of all, thanks for responding. Much appreciated.

Second, you're quite right. The most recent claim history item in the MCOL website is that a Directions Questionnaire has been submitted by the claimant on May 30th. A copy of the claimant DQ was attached to their email of 19th May, although the MCOL site says "DQ sent to you on 30/05/2025". I assume this refers to the claimant DQ as I have had no forms in the post or by email since May 19th.

I assume it's now a matter of waiting for the DQ from the court. Thanks.

Nellymoser

I would think that means YOU as it is your claim history. When CNBC mean Moorside they refer to them as "the claimant" as in "the claimant submitted DQ". 

Castle

BillyJoeJimBob said:

First of all, thanks for responding. Much appreciated.

Second, you're quite right. The most recent claim history item in the MCOL website is that a Directions Questionnaire has been submitted by the claimant on May 30th. A copy of the claimant DQ was attached to their email of 19th May, although the MCOL site says "DQ sent to you on 30/05/2025". I assume this refers to the claimant DQ as I have had no forms in the post or by email since May 19th.

I assume it's now a matter of waiting for the DQ from the court. Thanks.

No that would be your DQ from the court; therefore you'll need to download a blank form and complete it.

Gr1pr

As above,  download it,  fill it in and email it to the DQ email address ASAP,  plus CC Moorside legal too 

Coupon-mad

BillyJoeJimBob said:

First of all, thanks for responding. Much appreciated.

Second, you're quite right. The most recent claim history item in the MCOL website is that a Directions Questionnaire has been submitted by the claimant on May 30th. A copy of the claimant DQ was attached to their email of 19th May, although the MCOL site says "DQ sent to you on 30/05/2025". I assume this refers to the claimant DQ as I have had no forms in the post or by email since May 19th.

I assume it's now a matter of waiting for the DQ from the court. Thanks.

No it is not. You were sent a N180 over a month ago. Is it lying around at home somewhere?

If not, download it and do it that way,

BillyJoeJimBob

Thanks again for  everybody's assistance. DQ now downloaded, completed, filed, and copied to the claimants representatives.

Hopefully this has deprived them of an easy win by default.