*Time sensitive* Just learned of CCJ against me and the payment deadline is tomorrow (12 Sep)

MissionGlass

Hi everyone,

I’ve just found out (yesterday evening) that I received a CCJ ruling for a parking charge from G24 (through DCB Legal) and I’m stressing about what to do next. Sorry I haven’t had time to dig through all the links on the newbie post properly as I’ve only just realised how tight my deadline is. However the post did give me some hope and optimism   Any advice (before tomorrow) on my situation would be massively appreciated!

• Parking date: 18 Jan 2025 (Homebase retail park, just before Homebase went into administration).

• Claim form issued: 22 July 2025.

• Judgment date: 12 Aug 2025.

• CCJ amount: £283.81.

• What happened: On the day of the parking fine I was a genuine Homebase customer. I’d ordered something online which staff couldn’t locate straight away. I offered to browse the store and come back later, which I did - bought some other items and then collected my order. I can't find receipts from the day but have got my collection order email receipt and bank statement showing the in-store purchase. So that’s why I went over the 90-minute free parking limit, which I hadn’t really noticed on the signage as I thought I'd be in and out of the store in 5 minutes.

• How I found out: I was aware there were parking fine notices being sent out but due to other stresses (going through divorce court hearings as LiP) I'd ignored them (has worked for me in the past – lesson learned!). I didn’t get wind of the court paperwork in time - it went to my parents’ house (where my official post goes to), which has two different doors/letterboxes, one of which opens into a recently converted bathroom area for my disabled father. I’ve since found some of my post has slipped down there. I had considered contacting Homebase but back in January they went into administration and it wasn't clear how to contact them so I ended up leaving it. Also the court claim form wasn’t sent recorded delivery so how could I be considered served? I only realised about the CCJ recently, after receiving notification that my credit card limit had been halved and when I finally rang the court helpline they informed me that a CCJ had been judged against me on 12 Aug. DCB Legal have since sent me a letter with links to pay the judgment in full by 12 Sep (tomorrow).

My questions

1. If the CCJ is to be paid within one calendar month, does that mean the last day I'd have to pay is today (11 Sep) or tomorrow (12 Sep) ?

2. I’ve read that if you pay within the deadline, the CCJ doesn’t go on your file/register, but with only 1 day left until 12 Sept, I know I'm cutting it fine about deciding to pay or not...

3. If I try for a set-aside, how realistic is it to get the N244 application filled in and sent off soon, and the chances of winning and recovering costs?

4. Do I have a decent defence here? (genuine customer, online order and statements, delay caused by Homebase staff, signage not obvious)

5. Would it be better just to pay the CCJ now to avoid the effect on my credit file, and put time on applying for a set-aside later? Or would paying it now hurt my chances if I did try to set it aside afterwards?

Coupon-mad

1. I must admit I don't know for sure ... but I wouldn't pay it because it will be set aside.

2. I am not sure if the calendar month ended on 11th and I wouldn't pay anyway.

3. Very realistic (even more these days, thanks to VCS v Carr which is now binding case law).

4. Yes. Mainly about signage.

MissionGlass

Thanks, I ended up paying the CCJ, simply because of personal circumstances - can't afford for my credit file to be affected right now with upcoming financial settlement hearings.

I admit I'm annoyed at the timing of all this as I would have definitely challenged the ruling if I wasn't distracted by my personal life right now If there's a decent chance of applying to put aside later I'll look into that - if anyone knows of any successes I'd be interested. 

There's so much to read and under normal circumstances I'd be right on it... At the very least, I'm glad so many of you out there are holding these charlatans to account!