Smart Parking DCB Legal court claim 2025

Gr1pr

Looks ok to me 

Coupon-mad

Yep that's the one!

The claim is doomed and they will discontinue anyway in early 2026.

But first please do the government's Public Consultation (if not yet done - thanks if so) as that deadline is THIS Friday. Then I strongly suggest this as well, which might start bearing fruit and seeing cases swiftly cancelled:

I encourage EVERY Smart Parking Defendant to report DCB Legal to:

- the SRA (Solicitors Regulatory Authority) for alleged systemic breach of their professional standards;

- the CSA (Credit Services Association) for alleged systemic breach of their standards for fair and not misleading debt recovery letters;

- the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) for alleged systemic breach of the Joint Code and therefore, the DMCC Act 2024;

All three complaints triggered by two things:

1. the 'misleading action' of using boilerplate POFA worded Particulars of Claim which (for ALL claims involving this client) blatantly lie to recipient Defendants about 'keeper liability' under a law that Smart Parking never used until this year. This misleading action has been repeated in tens of thousands of ancient, barrel scraping (2020/21 COVID pandemic / lockdown dated) Smart Parking court claims this year already

and

2. the misleading action of (if they still are...?) sending LBC demands on DCB Legal headed notepaper which carries the blue strap-line "Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!" which is vexatious and wholly unreasonable for this law firm to use  (DCB Legal are not bailiffs). That appalling fly on the wall TV show features DCB Ltd not DCB Legal and only cases at a stage after obtaining judgment and HCEO writ. These Limited companies are two different legal entities and the LBC was sent at PRE action stage when there was no possibility of them - or any firm in DCB 'Group' - removing goods.

IMHO: These two points must be investigated as a possible breach of standards for a solicitor, surely?

Coupon-mad

Please show the claim form or POC for completeness.

bizzyblue13

Thanks all for your help and support. Defence submitted and will keep this thread updated with the outcome. Claim form below for completeness:

Coupon-mad

Great! Just follow the first 8 steps in the Template Defence thread and I meant it about those three complaints. They are all done online and could easily see claims cancelled if any one of those agencies sniffs around. 

bizzyblue13

Update (18/02/26):

Had the mediation phone call and rejected a final offer of £60.

Case referred to the Court and allocated a date - 25 March.

DCB/Smart Parking have until 25 Feb to pay the ~£60 court fee - judging by previous posts, it's at this point that they terminate the claim.

Ignored a few phone calls from DCB. Had an email from a named person at DCB Legal this morning saying they want to make an offer, and have asked me to call them.

Plan is to stand firm - but part of me wants to listen to their offer and potentially settle for under £60.

It's quite a long, stressful process (despite the reassurances from the Forum) that I want concluded ASAP - and I have a small worry that I'm going to be the 1% they decide to proceed with and I have to go to court.

Gr1pr

Unlikely in a Smart Parking case, the fact that they dropped so low and dont want to pay the £27 fee shows they are desperate to win even at such a tiny amount , to avoid a hearing

patient_dream

As above, when DCBL get to the stage of doing deals it is a sign they will discontinue rather than be spanked by a judge and you claiming costs

No need to contact them just to listen to their waffle. Be patient, they already know it will be a duff claim

bizzyblue13

SUCCESS!

DCB Legal contacted me today - on the day they had to pay the court fee - to notify me that they were discontinuing.

A huge relief and a huge amount of gratification - it's a win for us all!

Thanks for all of the advice provided on this forum.

My honest advice to others going through this process - it's long (much longer than I first anticipated) and its stressful, despite all of the great advice and reassurances on here. A small part of you thinks you'll be the one they pick on to go to court.

But in reality, my process played out exactly how it's explained in the sticky, almost to the exact wording and timescales - so trust the process and stay strong!

Gr1pr

DCB LEGAL ( not DCBL ) , but well done ! ( we have had about 5 reports today. )

Please post a redacted picture of the N279 discontinuation document below ( nearly 800 now. )