Claim from DCB LEGAL/PARKMAVEN for vehicle breakdown

Woods52

Claim Form issued Aug 5th  2025 (received today) from Northampton County Court/DCB LEGAL/Parkmaven

This is for a “parking charge” incurred when my car broke down on a main road next to this retail park. To be safe, I pulled into the car park to await recovery. Car was undriveable.

Car park had no parking machines or signage requesting payment. I have parked there regularly. 

Recovery to garage could only take place the following day (when garage was open) so car had to be left. I am a lone female and could not stay with car overnight!

Ticket arrived by post. I appealed to POPLA with photo evidence of car being recovered eg mitigating circumstances. Appeal lost. Now received a court claim from DCB Legal.

I will adapt the defence set out by Johny86 as instructed. Do I need to do anything else now?

Which Court have you received the claim from ?

COUNTY COURT BUSINESS CENTRE, NORTHAMPTON, NN1 2LH

Name of the Claimant :    Parkmaven 

Claimants Solicitors: DCB LEGAL

Date of issue – Aug 5 2025

Date for AOS - 

Date to submit Defence - 

What is the claim for – 

1. THE DEFENDANT (D) IS INDEBTED TO THE CLAIMANT (C) FOR A PARKING CHARGE (S) ISSUED TO VEHICLE XXXX AT OCEAN PLAZA Marine Drive Southport PR8 1RY

2. Dates of contravention are 20/1/2025 and the D was issued with PC by the Claimant 

3. The defendant is pursued as the driver of the vehicle for breach of the terms on the signs (the contract) Reason: no valid parking reservation 

4. In the alternative the Defendant is pursued as the keeper pursuant to POFA 2012 Schedule 4

And the Claimant claims 

1. £170 BEING THE TOTAL OF THE PC AND DAMAGES

2. INTEREST AT A RATE OF 8% PER ANNUM PURSUANT TO S.69 OF THE COUNTY COURTS ACT 1984 FROM THE DATE HEREOF AT A DAILY RATE OF £0.02 UNTIL JUDGEMENT OR SOONER PAYMENT. 3 COSTS AND COURT FEES

What is the value of the claim?

Amount Claimed £176.62

court fees £35.00

legal rep fees £50.00

Total Amount £261.72

Have you moved since the issuance of the PCN? (No)

Did you receive a letter of Claim With A reply Pack wanting I&E etc about 1mth before the claimform? NO AND NO 

Gr1pr

Do the AOS online on MCOL next week,  on Monday ideally,  your deadline for the defence template submission will then be 4pm on 8th September 

Adapt the template defence by coupon mad,  to be submitted on MCOL in due course 

Coupon-mad

Don't use an old defence by johny86.

Car1980

Mitigating circumstances are not a valid legal argument. Change it to "frustration of contract"instead and you're sorted (Google it).

Claim will be discontinued anyway.

Woods52

@Car1980 great advice - thank you very much!!

Umkomaas

Looks like DCB Legal have taken the next PPC in line to submit their spreadsheet of unpaid PCNs. Some Parkmaven discontinuances have started trickling through.  Have a look at the first few posts of the following thread (recognise where you are in the process - familiar?), then shoot towards the end of the thread to pick up a small number (which will increase, yours included if you follow forum advice) of Parkmaven discontinuances. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6377263/dcb-legal-record-of-private-parking-court-claim-discontinuations/p1