A little advice RE: DCB Legal please

Paradigm

My brother in law has received a letter of claim (dated26/08/25) for a PCN in Sept 2020 asking for £170.

With it being 5 years ago he doesn't have any original paperwork, all he has are 2 letters from DCBL & the letter of claim.

Reason for contravention: Insufficient time paid. He doesn't remember the incident so can't give me any details.

The problem is he's a non techy person, doesn't even have an email address! Will they accept contact from me on his behalf?

Gr1pr

Probably a Smart Parking case,  via DCB Legal,  they have 6 years to issue a money claim 

You can certainly do the donkey work, BUT everything must be done in his name,  not yours 

So for now use his email address to email the LoC response template from post 2 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad,  in order to respond as if its from him

Paradigm

Gotcha, I'll see if I can "find" an address! Thanks

Gr1pr

Paradigm said:

Gotcha, I'll see if I can "find" an address! Thanks

Use the public info@ address 

Paradigm

Is it worth requesting the original paperwork? Would it help?

Gr1pr

Paradigm said:

Is it worth requesting the original paperwork? Would it help?

Better to let it lie for now,  sometimes ignorance is better for the defence,  plausible deniability 

1505grandad

"Reason for contravention: Insufficient time paid."

Just checking  -  the "letter of claim (dated26/08/25)" is not the actual claim form received from the CNBC?  -  clarifying because another poster recently referred to the claim form as letter of claim.

Paradigm

1505grandad said:

"Reason for contravention: Insufficient time paid."

Just checking  -  the "letter of claim (dated26/08/25)" is not the actual claim form received from the CNBC?  -  clarifying because another poster recently referred to the claim form as letter of claim.

No, it's a Letter of Claim, nothing from CNBC.

Coupon-mad

That's good. You can even use your own email address of course. Might be easier to manage. Just sign off as him (NOT YOU ON BEHALF OF HIM).

Oh, and if it was me helping a vulnerable relative, I'd also give my postal address as his new address for service of court papers. That way YOU handle all post and emails and he isn't spooked by the letters.

Now get angry about this greedy 'scam' industry. Make a difference while his case is quiet

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

CLOSES ON FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER

Paradigm

Hi, it's been a while.

I emailed them the template response as suggested above on 11th Sept & have only just got a response.

It seems a pretty much generic reply so I won't post it all here, just a couple of snippets....

"The LOC provides adequate information for you to identify the debt that our Client is seeking to recover" not really, it was 5 years ago!

"we would advise that the fee is not inclusive of any VAT, as it does not pertain to a supply of goods/services between you and our Client." Don't know if that's how it works or not?

So now I'm waiting for the actual claim.