DCBL/Euro car parks question from a new member

HideoutShake27

Hello.

I've received letters from DCBL in Feb, March, April, and May 2025 relating to an unpaid parking charge of £170 on behalf of Euro car parks for "parking longer that the max allowed period" in a coop car park back in Dec 2022. I have also received a letter from DCB Legal in June.

And most recently a letter from HMC&TS in July which states the amount claimed is £206 + £35 court fee + £50 legal representatives cost = £291

I have read lots on this forum and there are many examples here of pretty much the same experiences and lots of great advice on how to challenge the charge.

If I think back I actually did park longer than perhaps the signage said I could. I left the car there overnight, but looking at some google images of the car park the signs say 90 mins max. At the time it was dark and I don't think I paid much attention to any signage.

So my question is: I'm pretty sure I'm in the wrong so should I just pay up? It's going to a genuine struggle as I have been made redundant from work and am existing off of UC while desperately searching for employment.

ChirpyChicken

you absolutely do not pay, why would you, why would we recommend paying when there is so much information on how to win?
Follow the newbies
log the defence
follow the advice and process
await the discontinuation

Car1980

DCB Legal / Euro always discontinue single ticket claims.

Use the template defence and say you did not see any signage in the dark and that the onus is on the Claimant to make any restrictions clear. This would include installation of reflective signage at the very least, which they have not done.

HideoutShake27

Thanks ChirpyChicken, I understand your opinion.

I was sense-checking the ethics of proceeding really.

HideoutShake27

Thanks Car1980 - helpful advice.

ChirpyChicken

HideoutShake27 said:

Thanks ChirpyChicken, I understand your opinion.

I was sense-checking the ethics of proceeding really.

Ethics?, Ethics really dont come into this matter 

Gr1pr

Defend the court claim from ECP via DCB Legal via MCOL,  don't overthink this,  you have a live court claim 

HideoutShake27

Thanks Gr1pr. So I get a Gov ID gateway ID log into MCOL and then I'll find their claim using the Claim number on the paperwork?

Gr1pr

Correct,  using the claim reference number and the claim form password,  starting with completing the AOS online on MCOL first,  if more than 5 days have elapsed since the Issue date from the top right of the claim form   ?

HideoutShake27

Thanks. It will be over five days, yes.

HideoutShake27

I did as directed above - acknowledged the claim and filed a defence using MCOL. Now I've just received a "notice of proposed allocation to the small claims track" letter with and "N180 Directions Questionnaire" which has been ticked in the defendant box on page 1.

Do I fill this out as best I can? The first question (c.1) is "Do you agree that the small claims track is the appropriate track for this case?"... Do I agree this or not? Or is it 'Suitable for determination without a hearing" as in question 2 (d.1)?