Subject: Advice Needed – CCJ from DCB Legal Over Parking Ticket While Living Abroad

Zedrick28

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, and I’d really appreciate some advice.

I've recently discovered that DCB Legal has obtained a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against me in relation to a parking ticket dated 31/12/2019.

Key points of my situation:

• I no longer live in the UK and haven’t since late 2019 or early 2020.

• Despite this, DCB Legal started sending correspondence to my old UK address from the beginning of 2025, which I never received.

• I only found out about the CCJ in July 2025 when I returned to the UK briefly for a wedding.

• I've since applied to set aside the CCJ (costing me £315) and have provided DCB Legal with evidence that I live abroad and never received any prior communication regarding this matter.

• DCB Legal has now offered, “without prejudice save as to costs,” a consent order to remove the CCJ if I pay £100. However, they insist that I am still liable for the original parking charge.

My questions:

1. Should I accept the consent order and pay the £100 just to remove the CCJ, even though I still dispute the parking charge and the total amount now claimed?

2. I’ve requested more information from DCB Legal about the original parking fine and also asked for a full and final settlement, including the parking charge – but I haven’t received a response.

3. Should I proceed with the court hearing under the set-aside application and ask the judge to consider:

   • That I was never served properly since I was living abroad,

   • That the charges have been unfairly inflated to £310+, and

   • That I never had the opportunity to defend the original claim?

Any advice from people who have been through similar situations or have legal experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Castle

When was the claim issued?

DE_612183

The answer to number 1 is only really something you can decide.

I doubt you'll get more info out of DCBL until they are told - do you know the parking company concerned - you should be able to get the court pack of the original which will tell you more.

3. yes that's the way to do it

Ralph-y

if you permanently live abroad then why bother ? 

Zedrick28

Castle said:

When was the claim issued?

16 April 2025 (from civil national business centre) 

Zedrick28

DE_612183 said:

The answer to number 1 is only really something you can decide.

I doubt you'll get more info out of DCBL until they are told - do you know the parking company concerned - you should be able to get the court pack of the original which will tell you more.

3. yes that's the way to do it

The claim form says it's G24 Ltd. I'm thinking that if this goes to court, I might be able to ask the judge to consider mediating on the parking fee, especially since they're now asking for five times the original amount. I also wonder if it's possible to ask the judge to consider ordering G24 to pay the set aside fee, or at least contribute towards it

Zedrick28

Ralph-y said:

if you permanently live abroad then why bother ? 

True, it doesn’t affect me too much at the moment since I’m permanently abroad, but I might want to return to the UK at some point. I also believe this needs to be challenged on principle.

Ralph-y

after 6 years it is wiped .... you should get a mandatory set aside due to non service. ... is it worth all the work?

1505grandad

FWIW  -  reminder:-

"I've since applied to set aside the CCJ (costing me £315) and have provided DCB Legal with evidence that I live abroad and never received any prior communication regarding this matter."

Coupon-mad

I also wonder if it's possible to ask the judge to consider ordering G24 to pay the set aside fee, or at least contribute towards it 

Of course.

Didn't you already demand that in your Draft Order and covering WS? As per all recent CCJ set aside threads relying on VCS v Carr? 

Do this BUT DO NOT ASK THE JUDGE TO MEDIATE ON THE PARKING CHARGE BECAUSE ...SURELY YOU ARE ASKING FOR THE CLAIM TO BE STRUCK OUT AS IT HAS EXPIRED (again, see VCS v Carr)?:

1. Should I proceed with the court hearing under the set-aside application and ask the judge to consider:

   • That I was never served properlysince I was living abroad,

   • That the charges have been unfairly inflated to £310+, and

   • That I never had the opportunity to defend the original claim?

Castle

Coupon-mad said:

I also wonder if it's possible to ask the judge to consider ordering G24 to pay the set aside fee, or at least contribute towards it 

Of course.

Didn't you already demand that in your Draft Order and covering WS? As per all recent CCJ set aside threads relying on VCS v Carr? 

Do this BUT DO NOT ASK THE JUDGE TO MEDIATE ON THE PARKING CHARGE BECAUSE ...SURELY YOU ARE ASKING FOR THE CLAIM TO BE STRUCK OUT AS IT HAS EXPIRED (again, see VCS v Carr)?:

1. Should I proceed with the court hearing under the set-aside application and ask the judge to consider:

   • That I was never served properlysince I was living abroad,

   • That the charges have been unfairly inflated to £310+, and

   • That I never had the opportunity to defend the original claim?

Claim was issued on 16th April 2025 as per OP.