DCB LEGAL LoC info

Gone_4_A_Drive

Good afternoon all,

Having done days of reading through the forums, it has left me considerably overwhelmed and stressed.

I have been debating making yet another post about the same thing everyone else is going through, but please tell me if I am wrong, this what I have understood so far....

I have ignored all the previous letters, and there is A LOT of debt collection letters, since my original PCN in Feb of 2022 from the good old Smart Parking...

I have received the LoC from DCB Legal dated 22nd August 2025 (second letter of claim received, first Letter Before Claim I received was from CST Law dated 6th October 2022)
Am I to reply to them with the generic letter "Dear sirs," from post 2 of the newbies thread? Or am I to wait for the court letter and come back to the forums at that point? If so, where to do email this to, is it the email address on the front of the letter?

Also just wanted to seek advise on my situation....

I had originally attempted to pay the PCN, when it was £60. It was my own fault, parked in the front car park of a business tower within town centre, somewhere I avoid like the plague from going to, 8PM February was cold and dark, I just simply should have known better.
However, after trying to call the automatic line and it just disconnected, tried paying it online through their online payment and it came up with error taking payment, all of which I have proof of, I reached out to their "customer service" help desk, which only came back with useless template responses of "these are your payment options", 3rd option of paying was through check in the post, which I do not have access to, hence I decided to not pay.
I have also got proof of the ridiculous sign postage (or little of), one at the main entrance at GROUND LEVEL, how was I ever going to see that I don't know, walked around the very dark unlit car park with no other signs in sight.

If this was to go to a hearing (hopefully not), do I argue the fact of the signage or do I mention about not being able to pay? Or am I simply jumping to far ahead of myself?

Thanks in advanced.

Umkomaas

If this was to go to a hearing (hopefully not), do I argue the fact of the signage or do I mention about not being able to pay? Or am I simply jumping to far ahead of myself?

Most definitely yes. Smart have only recently started concerted litigation, probably coinciding with them jumping ship from the BPA and joining the more-litigant-natured IPC. The pattern followed is the same as your experience - PCN ignored, debt collector letters ignored, CST trying 'legal-looking' frighteners, DCBL and DCB Legal LOC. 

You haven't yet reached the point of a court claim, which if defended will follow the standard DCB Legal pattern of discontinuance!

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

First off though, respond to that LOC using the template in the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement, second post. Then await the claim form and respond with the forum's template defence from the cunningly named Template Defence Announcement. All the defence points you will need are covered there, ready for you. 

As at the time your PCN was issued, Smart did not attempt to invoke the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, so there can be no keeper liability - in law! - so no mentioning anywhere about who was driving on the day (even if it's possible to remember who that was on an unremarkable day some three and a half years ago - clue there for you!)

1505grandad

".............I reached out to their "customer service" help desk, which only came back with useless template responses ............"

Just checking  -  was the driver outed when you contacted them at any time?

Gone_4_A_Drive

1505grandad said:

".............I reached out to their "customer service" help desk, which only came back with useless template responses ............"

Just checking  -  was the driver outed when you contacted them at any time?

None of the emails confirmed anyone as the driver, just simply states that I could not make any payments via phone or online.

Umkomaas said:

If this was to go to a hearing (hopefully not), do I argue the fact of the signage or do I mention about not being able to pay? Or am I simply jumping to far ahead of myself?

Most definitely yes. Smart have only recently started concerted litigation, probably coinciding with them jumping ship from the BPA and joining the more-litigant-natured IPC. The pattern followed is the same as your experience - PCN ignored, debt collector letters ignored, CST trying 'legal-looking' frighteners, DCBL and DCB Legal LOC. 

You haven't yet reached the point of a court claim, which if defended will follow the standard DCB Legal pattern of discontinuance!

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

First off though, respond to that LOC using the template in the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement, second post. Then await the claim form and respond with the forum's template defence from the cunningly named Template Defence Announcement. All the defence points you will need are covered there, ready for you. 

As at the time your PCN was issued, Smart did not attempt to invoke the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, so there can be no keeper liability - in law! - so no mentioning anywhere about who was driving on the day (even if it's possible to remember who that was on an unremarkable day some three and a half years ago - clue there for you!)

Sounds like I am on the right path, I think? Is there a specific email for DCB legal I should email this to? The email address on the letter is info@dcblegal.co.uk, would this suffice? 

Umkomaas

Gone_4_A_Drive said:

1505grandad said:

".............I reached out to their "customer service" help desk, which only came back with useless template responses ............"

Just checking  -  was the driver outed when you contacted them at any time?

None of the emails confirmed anyone as the driver, just simply states that I could not make any payments via phone or online.

Umkomaas said:

If this was to go to a hearing (hopefully not), do I argue the fact of the signage or do I mention about not being able to pay? Or am I simply jumping to far ahead of myself?

Most definitely yes. Smart have only recently started concerted litigation, probably coinciding with them jumping ship from the BPA and joining the more-litigant-natured IPC. The pattern followed is the same as your experience - PCN ignored, debt collector letters ignored, CST trying 'legal-looking' frighteners, DCBL and DCB Legal LOC. 

You haven't yet reached the point of a court claim, which if defended will follow the standard DCB Legal pattern of discontinuance!

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

First off though, respond to that LOC using the template in the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement, second post. Then await the claim form and respond with the forum's template defence from the cunningly named Template Defence Announcement. All the defence points you will need are covered there, ready for you. 

As at the time your PCN was issued, Smart did not attempt to invoke the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, so there can be no keeper liability - in law! - so no mentioning anywhere about who was driving on the day (even if it's possible to remember who that was on an unremarkable day some three and a half years ago - clue there for you!)

Sounds like I am on the right path, I think? Is there a specific email for DCB legal I should email this to? The email address on the letter is info@dcblegal.co.uk, would this suffice? 

That should do. 

Coupon-mad

Gone_4_A_Drive said:

Sounds like I am on the right path, I think?

Yes. No stress! These are the easiest cases to defend and it will be discontinued in 2026.

Now, while your case is at the boring stage:

FIGHTBACK ALERT:

Please do the government's Public Consultation. We need every poster to complete this vital survey before the deadline.

See this thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617396/parking-code-of-practice-consultation-now-extended-closes-friday-26th-september/p1

We understand that you may need some pointers. It looks laborious, we get that. It doesn't matter; no knowledge is needed except re your own experiences so you can call out a scam industry and you'll protect millions of motorists and help change the law. 

I've written some guidance to help focus new posters on the issues. I've covered almost every question, providing ideas if you agree with our stance on things like DRFs, which we say must be banned.

Ordinary people like you are falling victim to this scam 15 million times per annum. Motorists need your voice added please.

CLOSES ON FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER.