Parallel Parking vs Gladstones Court Claim

crazyvish

Morning all,

I would really appreciate some guidance on how to proceed with a court claim I have now received from Parallel Parking Ltd, following a short visit to a GDK (German Doner Kebab) store.

Background:

• On Monday 23rd June 2025, I visited GDK on a friend’s recommendation.
• I parked behind the store for approximately 13 minutes while collecting a takeaway.
• I later received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) for £60, which increased to £100.

Attempted Resolution with GDK:

• I went back to the store. A Customer Service Assistant named XYZ recognised me, took a photo of my PCN and said he would forward it to the manager to request cancellation.
• I later received a reminder letter demanding £100.
• I went back again and spoke with the manager, who said the car park is not for public use and he could not cancel the PCN.

I then emailed GDK Guest Services. Their reply stated:

“We are sorry to hear about this parking penalty charge. Please note that we do not control or maintain this parking area, as it is managed by a private company. If you purchased anything from GDK during your stay, you can request a receipt from our restaurant and contest the charge by providing this proof of purchase.”

Unfortunately, I paid in cash and do not have a receipt. I did not reply to this email in time.

Current Situation:

I have now received a County Court Claim Form from Parallel Parking Ltd. Please find attached below.

From my past experience and previous reccommedations from the helpful forum members I have submitted AOS last night and opted to defend in full.

• What defence points would be strongest in this scenario?
• Should I still attempt to escalate with GDK or the landowner? (I've requested GDK for the landowner details but they have ignored my request. I was not able to find them on google search either)

Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Gr1pr

Never heard of GDK ( but probably a tenant. )

Yes you could still pursue a complaint about it with the actual landowner

The actual breach is not pleaded, typical in a Gladstones claim

Use the Gladstones version of the template defence in announcements

crazyvish

Thanks Gr1pr. I will look for that template.

GDK = German Doner Kebab

Le_Kirk

With an issue date of 10/02/26 and providing you complete(d) the AoS after 15/02/26 and before or on 01/03/26 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 16/03/26

Use the template defence for Gladstones to be found in the first post of the template defence sticky.

Coupon-mad

You aren't adding any defence points.

patient_dream

I see that Gladstones have added the FAKE £70 and they call it contractual costs pursuant to the contract ?

The contract is the SIGN and any such wording will be in the small unreadable terms and conditions

Whatever is said in the PCN means nothing as it's a charge notice / invoice no doubt after the event

Gladstones go against the ruling of the Supreme Court which stated the parking charge was set at an amount to operate the scheme …. IE NO FAKE CHARGES

Gladstones are using the famous OSNER SCAM approved by the BPA and IAS and it's just a money scam

crazyvish

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81884365#Comment_81884365

Claim History

A claim was issued against you on 10/02/2026

Your acknowledgment of service was submitted on 13/02/2026 at 17:57:46

Your acknowledgment of service was received on 16/02/2026 at 01:05:35

Coupon-mad

OK so now you put in the special (Chan and Akande) template defence for Gladstones cases which is linked at least twice in the Template Defence thread.

crazyvish

So, I will use the defence template as is and update paragraph 3 to:

3.  With regards to the POC in question, two recent persuasive appeal judgments in Civil Enforcement Limited v Chan (Ref. E7GM9W44) and Car Park Management Service Ltd v Akande (Ref. K0DP5J30) would indicate the POC fails to comply with Civil Procedure Rule 16.4(1)(e) and Practice Direction Part 16.7.5. On the 15th August 2023, in the Chan case, HHJ Murch held: 'the particulars of the claim as filed and served did not set out the conduct which amounted to the breach in reliance upon which the claimant would be able to bring a claim for breach of contract'. The same is true in this case and the Defendant trusts that the Court should strike out the extant claim, using its powers pursuant to CPR 3.4. The second recent persuasive appeal judgment also held that typical private parking case POC (like this) fail to comply with Part 16. On the 10 May 2024, in CPMS v Akande, HHJ Evans held: 'Particulars of Claim have to set out the basic facts upon which a party relies in order to prove his or her claim'.

Thanks.

crazyvish

Following submission of my defence, I’ve received an email from Gladstones confirming their intention to proceed and enclosing their completed Directions Questionnaire, along with what they describe as an evidence pack.

I understand this is standard procedure. I am now awaiting receipt of my own N180 from the court and will complete and submit it in due course.

Thanks.