CUP Enforcement via DCB Legal, 2025

x2y2

Got a PCN from CUP Enforcement for being in a layby for 14 seconds (Watford, near Sainsbury), with the car being 1/3 in the layby and other 2/3 in the road.
I tried to get to POPLA but CUP deliberately wound down the clock by refusing to answer my email, and subsequently matter passed to DCB Legal. Received a claim form 8 Oct 2025, and having read most of the threads I have filed a AoS (16/10)  and will defend the claim, but need help with wording etc. although have read Coupon-mad defence. I believe I have until 5 Nov to do this 

Fruitcake

I have reported your post because it contains personal information. Your claim number is still readable. You may not be able to edit your own posts yet so you should report your post as well.
If you can edit, then thoroughly redact your information then repost.

Part of your defence should be based upon the persuasive appeal case of Jopson v Homeguard because stopping to attend to a vicissitude of some short duration is not parking.
It is also a case of "de minimis." (Too trivial for the law to consider). 


The case number for Jopson v Homeguard is B9GF0A9E, and the relevant information can be found around paragraphs 19 and 20.

James_Poisson

This has cropped up time and time again on here it's a honeytrap for these scammers.

You cannot be charged a fee for something that is not on offer.

14 seconds is quite ridiculous it would take longer to find and read the signage.

The signage is unclear.

The whole thing is a scam, I doubt they would go anywhere near a court with this but you are in their loop.

Fruitcake

As above, the signs are forbidding. A contract requires three elements; Offer, Consideration, and Acceptance. There is nothing (of value) being offered, therefore there is nothing to consider, and therefore there can be no acceptance, therefore there is no contract, therefore there can be no breach of contract.

Le_Kirk

With an issue date of 08/10/25 and providing you complete(d) the AoS after 13/10/25 and before 27/10/25 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 10/11/25 You say you received a claim form on 08/10/25 but what was the date of issue of the claim form? With an issue date of 03/10/25 and providing you complete(d) the AoS after 08/10/25 and before 22/10/25 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 05/11/25

x2y2

Thank you for clarifying. Issue date 8 Oct, AoS completed 16 Oct. So I have few more days than I thought before filing defence.

x2y2

Are there any specifics in law where the date format needs to be in British format. For example the ANPR picture for my PCN is MM/DD/YYYY but the contravention date is listed as DD/MM/YYYY. If PPC are issuing fines in Britain, then maybe they should be using British format for dates?!

James_Poisson

They are not issuing "fines" it's an invoice for breach of contract (though as stated they offered no contract) and there is no law about the date format the whole sorry industry is unregulated you are clutching at straws with that, follow the advice given there was no contract offered, the event was too short, the signage isn't clear etc etc.

Gr1pr

It should certainly be included in paragraph 3 if the POC is incorrect,  or the WS if the pcn date is incorrect 

Meaning, the POC should be accurate,  we have seen faulty claims using an incorrect date format previously on here

kryten3000

Happy to assist with this, I have helped a few people at this exact site and I had the pleasure of attending Watford court with one Defendant who had paused briefly to fix their child's car seat because the strap had come loose.

This is a trap site - the road is public highway so the enforcement of the double yellow lines should be carried out by a council or police officer, not the Claimant.

The judge's opening remarks to the hired rep that DCB Legal sent were: "This is an extraordinary case to bring."

x2y2

Thank you Kryten3000 for your message, and everyone else for your encouragement .
Just to note the intimidating  nature of these invoices, The writing  of  "Parking Charge notice to Registered Keeper" in red  is 600% larger than the actual date and time printed on ANPR image. Designed to scare innocent  motorists into paying.