No more 'solicitors agents' [aka 'rent-a-gob'] to be allowed? Massive potential win for us

Computersaysno

Not been around for ages, so apologies if this has already been covered.

CC case where the judge refused to allow a 'solicitors agent' to have a right to audience in court. 

Basically this ruling has the potential to stop VCS [and the others who use this strategy] dead in their tracks...

Here's a link to the bailii case transcript...hearing dated 17th Dec 2025, judgement handed down 7th Jan 2026...

Case is called [hopefully it wll be come as familiar as Beavis]

Vehicle Control Services [VCS] vs Stephen Langley

the 'agent' in question was Mr Boaden.

https://www.bailii.org//ew/cases/Misc/2026/1.html 

And here's a great barrister talking it thru on Youtube...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLsKDvT4zYI

Will summarise it below...

 Here's the info to put in any defences or to use if the scumco sends an agent along...

Claim No: M2KF975M

IN THE COUNTY COURT AT HAVERFORDWEST

		Penffynnon, Hawthorn Rise, Haverfordwest, SA61 2AX
		7th January 2025

B e f o r e :

DISTRICT JUDGE PRATT
____________________

Between:

	VEHICLE CONTROL SERVICES LIMITED	Claimant
	- and -
	STEPHEN LANGLEY	Defendant

____________________

Mr Boaten for the Claimant
The Defendant appeared in person

Hearing date: 17th December 2025
____________________

Computersaysno

In essence the judge said the solicitor didn't have right of audience as they failed under the 2 of the 3 three conditions that grant 'exempt status'.

The 'exempt status' excetion is typically what the scumscos use when challenged as regards right of audience. s

1. First Condition; assisting in the conduct of litigation : failed. 

2. Second Condition; under the instructions and supervision - failed

3. Third Condition; it's in chambers - marginally passed.

He also failed in that he was not allowed to act as a 'lay representative' as the claimiant [VCS] was not present...

I can't see how VCS etc can get around these hurdles...unless they send along an actual VCS representaive/employee which might allw the rnet a gob to actt as a lay representative...

ChirpyChicken

sorry this is not the case
County Court ruling nothing else
tomorrow a different ruling in x court

Computersaysno

ChirpyChicken said:

sorry this is not the case
County Court ruling nothing else
tomorrow a different ruling in x court

I'm not sure it's as worthless as you see to be implying...

I fully appreciate it's not binding or a full case per se or a high court case, but these types of rulings are sooften presuasive in future cases...

Anyone who has a 'rent a gob' turn up at court, can use these very arguments and if successful the case will at worst be adjourned and at best heard with the claimants rent unable to attend. 

ChirpyChicken

Computersaysno said:

ChirpyChicken said:

sorry this is not the case
County Court ruling nothing else
tomorrow a different ruling in x court

I'm not sure it's as worthless as you see to be implying...

I fully appreciate it's not binding or a full case per se or a high court case, but these types of rulings are sooften presuasive in future cases...

Anyone who has a 'rent a gob' turn up at court, can use these very arguments and if successful the case will at worst be adjourned and at best heard with the claimants rent unable to attend. 

However there was a different ruling which stated the opposite few a number of years.  I think it was black horse.
However there issue around rights of audience etc . So either open court and what was formally in chambers (ie applications to set aside etc)
Acting-as-a-Solicitors-Agent-August-2022.pdf https://share.google/M0GAyh11z7fSo3KTO

Computersaysno

I would also point out that the practising barrister doing the video says that 'this ruling 'is absolutely causing chaos for the parking companies' that have this business model [ie those scumcos that rely on breach of contract to make theri money, and use rent a gobs]

Car1980

Well it's too early for that because they'll simply ignore it and nobody has included it within their witness statement evidence.

Like any other county court decision it's persuasive but not binding. But still worth putting in and bringing it up from the get-go.

Coupon-mad

But we already have two threads on this.