Court judgement issued against me - I never knew!

Greguk123

So I would appreciate your advice please:

in March 2023 I and my partner parked with a Blue Badge in a disabled space in Hartlepool Marina and bought some lunch, thinking nothing of it.  I later get "parking charge notices" from Northwest Parking Management Ltd followed by DCBL and after taking advice ignored them as not Penalty Charge Notices.

Fast forward and in September 2025 I get a court summons from Northwest Parking Management Ltd with the threat of a CCJ. I followed advice here and filed my acknowledgment of service well in time.  It then said something about both parties were going to be required to partake in mediation, so I started to read up about what defence if I ended up in court and waited for further instructions.  I went on holiday for a couple of weeks, heard nothing, no emails, no letters.  I logged into the MCOL site to see if I could make any sense of what was happening and to my SHOCK it says this!!!!:

Your acknowledgment of service was submitted on 22/09/2025 at 00:24:31

Your acknowledgment of service was received on 22/09/2025 at 08:05:48

A judgment was issued against you on 16/10/2025 at 19:07:47

So 3 days ago totally without me knowing or ability to make a defense I got a CCJ?  And they don't notify me of anything?

What did I do wrong and what should I do now?  Obviously I don't want this on my record.

Advice appreciated, G

Coupon-mad

It's because you didn't defend. The claim form gave you a deadline. You don't get further instructions. You don't acknowledge a claim then sit and wait.

You will have a CCJ for 6 years if you fail to pay it in full. You could apply to set it aside but that costs a £313 fee and is based on the judge's discretion because the claim was correctly served, so you'd need a 'good reason' to set the CCJ aside and allow you to defend.

Is this claim signed by Sarah Ensall?

Greguk123

Thanks.  The claim isn't signed for anyone as far as I can see just a printed form titled 'claim form' in the 'civil national business centre'.

I'm applying to set aside, I'm disable with kidney failure and was in Spain with only a mobile for the best part of the time and I have a defense.

Umkomaas

Greguk123 said:

Thanks.  The claim isn't signed for anyone as far as I can see just a printed form titled 'claim form' in the 'civil national business centre'.

I'm applying to set aside, I'm disable with kidney failure and was in Spain with only a mobile for the best part of the time and I have a defense.

It should be on the reverse side of the form, near the top.

Greguk123

Umkomaas said:

Greguk123 said:

Thanks.  The claim isn't signed for anyone as far as I can see just a printed form titled 'claim form' in the 'civil national business centre'.

I'm applying to set aside, I'm disable with kidney failure and was in Spain with only a mobile for the best part of the time and I have a defense.

It should be on the reverse side of the form, near the top.

How did you know, yes it's Sarah Ensall typed where it says 'signature'  I guess they don't need to sign it?

What's the significance of Sarah Ensall please?

Duke1999

Read up on the Mazur judgement, there's a thread on MSE and loads of information online. It's all about unauthorised staff carrying out litigation unlawfully 

Greguk123

Duke1999 said:

Read up on the Mazur judgement, there's a thread on MSE and loads of information online. It's all about unauthorised staff carrying out litigation unlawfully 

That's interesting.  How would I know if Sarah Ensall is authorised though?

Gr1pr

The Mazur thread explains it   ( not listed as a qualified SRA solicitor etc  )

Hint, she isn't, hence why David Croot is now signing the Money claims

Duke1999

Gr1pr said:

The Mazur thread explains it   ( not listed as a qualified SRA solicitor etc  )

Hint, she isn't, hence why David Croot is now signing the Money claims

And many more than he could ever possibly be dealing with.

ThorOdinson

Even if the judge agrees to the set aside, it seems unlikely that the other party is going to be paying the fees, since it's basically the OP's mistake.

How much is the CCJ? Might have been cheaper to just pay it.