Lost at Hearing - Didn't Receive Hearing Date - Can I Appeal?

Jones578

I'm hoping to get some urgent advice regarding a private parking ticket that has gone to the court.

I filed my Defence in mid-February and have been waiting for a hearing date from the court. In early August, I received a witness statement from the PPC's solicitor, Gladstone, on behalf of UK Car Park Management Ltd (UKCPM). I didn't take any action at that time as I was still waiting for the court to send me the hearing details.

However, I have just received a letter from the county court today (Thursday), dated last Saturday, informing me that the hearing took place last Friday. As I didn't attend, the judge has ruled against me. They have ordered me to pay £170 plus £85 in costs within 14 days.

My main question is, can I still appeal or get the decision set aside? I have not received any correspondence from the court regarding the date, time, or location of the hearing. I have checked my post, and there is nothing from the court about this.

I'm concerned that time is running out, and I'd be very grateful for any guidance on what my next steps should be.

Thank you.

Gr1pr

Phone the court tomorrow morning and check if and when they posted your court order,  which should have been a few months ago,  because clearly Gladstones got a copy of the same court order 

When you received their WS bundle,  it should have been a red flag for you to check with the court you nominated in your N180 DQ document 

Jones578

Thanks for the response. I called the court and they confirmed they had sent the court order with the hearing date back on 9th May. Unfortunately, I never received it, so I only found out about the hearing after getting the judgment letter this week.

Is there anything I can still do at this stage? Or is my only realistic option just to pay to avoid a CCJ being registered

Gr1pr

You would have to apply for a set aside due to not receiving the court order 

The convention is that the letter was presumed to be delivered 2 business days later