DCB Legal ‘mediation’ question [time sensitive]

fluffysocks66

Hello 👋 been following your advice on cancelling/ writing off an extortionate £170 parking ticket I got from Elite parking in Cambridge. It’s at this stage: I got an email from DCB legal to say that I should call them about mediation. Then in the email attachment was something else about mediation as well. 

I would like to know if I should call them at the number on the email to mediate. And is this the point where they ask you how much you’re willing to contribute and you say zero, or something else? 

Please advice! I would need to call them very soon if so. 

kryten3000

You don't call DCB Legal - ever.

They are referring to the court's mediation service which is now mandatory for all claims.  The job of the mediator is to act as a go-between, speaking to each party in turn.  The mediation appointment is arranged after the exchange of the Directions Questionnaire, N180 form.  You will be contacted by the court with a copy of this form to complete and return.

The form asks a few simple questions to confirm your contact details, to check you want the case to go to the Small Claims Track (always yes), how to contact you for mediation and which court you would prefer any hearing to be held at.  As the Defendant you get the choice of location, usually your nearest County Court.

You can find a blank form here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-n180-directions-questionnaire-small-claims-track

You can fill the form in on the website then download the completed version as a PDF to email to the court dq.cnbc@justice.gov.uk

As for the mediation appointment, the advice here is to offer £0 and bid the mediator a good day.  There's no need to go into details because only the result of mediation is relayed to the court, the conversations are confidential.  The mediator will likely be pleased to get a break .