G24 £472.36 for 2x PCN's in a free car park

ZekeN7

Hi, I'm in desperate need of some advice regarding 2x PCN's I've received from G24, which have amounted to £472.36 to date.

£100 fine x2
£70 Debt collectors fee x2
£50 court fee
£50 legal representatives cost
interest of 8% annum
Dated December 18th/23rd 2024

In summary, I received an HM Courts and Tribunal Service letter 2 days ago regarding these 2 PCN's for parking in a free Wickes car park (limited to 90 minutes). I overstayed the 90 minute limit without even acknowledging it at the time, since I didn't realise there was a time limit for Wickes. I drove to Wickes in my car with someone who also brought their van (more space) to carry all the large house refurbishments home, such as plasterboard, bags of plaster, paint, etc. We did a run back to the house, only 1 mile away to drop off the items and come back for a 2nd time, which is why my car was left there during the process.

When the PCN's originally come through, I ignored them as I knew my reasoning was not good enough, and it's likely G24 wouldn't listen. I've read on the forums that all they care about is legalities and your money! I've had PCN's from excel parking (I know it's a different company) 10 years ago which was actually at a pay and display car park. I ignored their attempts to make me pay almost £1000 by passing around to various debt collectors and nothing come of it, so I thought for a free car park there is no chance! 20th March 2025 I was sent a letter by DCBL about these 2 PCN's with an additional £70 fee per ticket (£340 total at this point). Upon researching DCBL it all seemed very similar to the Excel parking PCN's so I ignored them. Now fast forward to today almost a year after the DCBL letters and this has escalated to a point I've never been before with PCN's and someone's help would be much appreciated!

I now have 14 days to respond to HM Courts & Tribunal Service. What do you think is my best course of action? I'm assuming I should fill out the AOS form to extend to 28 days rather than 14. I don't expect going to Wickes and speaking to a manager without full proof of receipts from the builder will do much now, as this is with HMCTS?

Surely being charged £470 for 2 parking fines in a free car park seems absurd. It seems my only option right now is to respond to the AOS admitting to only part of the amount claimed on the basis that I have not caused Wickes any loss of business/profits. But I am completely in the dark and do not know how much I'd expect to pay if I go down that route? What other reasons can be brought up to reduce the cost of these PCN's?

Any advice welcome, I do apologise if I have missed any obvious threads on here which could help me in this scenario, but I have spent the best part of 2 hours trying to find any advice online and can't seem to find something specific to this case.

Gr1pr

Post the Issue date from the top right of the claim form below

Post a redacted picture of the POC from the lower left of the claim form below after hiding the VRM details first

If its G24, Post the name of the lawyers ( DCB LEGAL. ? )

Each pcn was £100 , that lone figure never changes

They added £140 in spurious debt collectors fees, not allowed ( so its a £330 claim. )

Definitely defend it, but no paperwork is involved, put it all in a drawer, you dispute the whole claim

Coupon-mad

This is easy. Read post 2 of the NEWBIES thread and use the Template Defence.

Ralph-y

bit late but ,,,, also tell Wicks that you want to return all the stuff as its now to dear …. seriously complain like mad ….. If Wiks are on a retail park look at the big sign at the entrance to see who manages the park …..

Coupon-mad

Yes mention that in your paragraph 3.

ZekeN7

I'm just reading your newbies thread @Coupon-mad

On part of the thread you mention if they are a firm that alleges 'keeper liability' under the POFA 2012 a postal PCN must arrive by day 14 if there was no windscreen ticket.

My PCN's were from 2024 December 18th & 23rd. Both issue dates on the PCN's are dated 6th January 2025. That means the PCN dated 18th was issued 19 days after the 'term breached' and the 23rd on the 14th day. Does that mean the PCN from the 18th is invalid?

patient_dream

THE SIGN …. Where are the terms and conditions ? Where does it say there are DAMAGES as per the DCBL claim ?

DCBL are misleading you with a fake claim plus they are misleading the court trying to extort money

The 8% interest ? Most judges will not allow

Back to the sign, no point in saying "charges apply" when they don't tell you how much

What an extortion claim by DCBL. play the game with DCBL, with such a rubbish claim, they will discontinue before court or a judge will spank them and you can claim costs

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81909894#Comment_81909894

The PCNs are not invalid, but if they haven't complied with POFA then they cannot transfer liability to the keeper. I hope you havent told them who was driving?

Gr1pr

Get the AOS done online on MCOL ( if not done already, by following the instructions in that newbies thread post 2 ) dispute ALL of the claim

Pofa2012 is not mandatory, the pcns are just invoices, nothing makes them invalid, but they may be unenforceable against a keeper

Adapt paragraph 3 but use all of the defence template

Study other G24 DCB LEGAL cases over the last 15 months, see what they wrote in paragraph 3

Le_Kirk

With an issue date of 27/02/26 and providing you complete(d) the AoS after 04/03/26 and before or on 18/03/26 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 01/04/26

Car1980

Never seen a G24 case not be discontinued.

Over £600 they could take a punt, but again not seen this occur with this parking company.