Claim Form received I think I’ve missed date for Defence!

grevtev

Hi all - I am in a similar situation to the above. Unfortunately, I misunderstood the Newbies thread which seemed to say that if you have a Claim Form (the one before a CCJ) that I had 30 days from the date on the form to sort things out. Sadly it seems it was 14 or 28 days and I have since had a CCJ. My MCOL page looks like the image shared above and shows the CCJ was dated 17/12/2025, and the claimant is ECP as well.

My question is - should I ignore the link 'View Instructions' as this is for an Admission Form (and would therefore be an admission that will ruin my credit for 6yrs)? If so, how exactly do I pay?

I have done my best to sift through the forum posts, but I have ADHD and really struggle reading and understanding documents like this, it is very overwhelming. Very thankful for this resource though - it has gotten me out of previous tickets at earlier stages through understanding POFA! 

Gr1pr

To qualify for the 33 days maximum time,  your AOS should have been completed on MCOL between day 5 and day 19 following the issue date on the claim form,  which extends the time from 19 days to 33 days 

5 days, + 14 days, = 19 days from the issue date,  extended to 33 days if your AOS was completed before day 20

So 5 + 14 + 14 days 

The 8 steps in the 1st post in the defence template thread explains,  with help from post 2 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements 

As its ECP,  you email a solicitor or staff member at DCB Legal with an offer to settle the claim, then pay them and they do the paperwork 

Coupon-mad

You can pay on the DCB Legal portal.

Do not try phoning them!

Sadly you read the wrong thing. You read about replying to a Letter BEFORE Claim.

You had a Claim Form, not a LBC.

You are too late to defend and (sadly) you must pay or make a swift low offer.

Do not offer instalments or you cement the credit rating damage.

troublemaker22

Never pay a CCJ that is less than a month old in full without first negotiating for a lower amount.  DCB Legal generally accepts £60 or even less (depending on the facts of the individual case) in full satisfaction.  I've sent you a DM

Coupon-mad

troublemaker22 said:

Never pay a CCJ that is less than a month old in full without first negotiating for a lower amount.  DCB Legal generally accepts £60 or even less (depending on the facts of the individual case) in full satisfaction.  I've sent you a DM

The above poster is quite right. My bad!