Defence Advice

rustlings

Hi all,

I would really appreciate some guidance on my current situation please, as I’ve now reached the defence stage and want to make sure I’m on the right track. Starting to get a bit concerned about the whole thing…

Parking charge issued by Minster Baywatch at Kingston Centre, Milton Keynes and claim has been escalated by Gladstones

My car was allegedly slightly outside a marked bay (literally inches, not obstructing anything)
and I was a genuine customer at McDonald’s on site (have evidence)

Claim issued: 11/03/2026
AOS submitted: 19/03/2026

I've contacted the McDonald’s twice by email
, visited in person and spoken to deputy manager (confirmed email received)
but no response and don't think I'll get one now.

Would really appreciate any feedback on these:

Genuine customer
I was using the site as intended (McDonald’s customer)
No overstay, no misuse of the car park

De minimis / trivial breach
Car was only marginally over the bay line (inches)
No obstruction, no impact on other users
No commercial justification for penalising a paying customer for a trivial positioning issue

Signage issues
“Within bay” term is buried in small text
£100 charge not prominent
No clear definition of what constitutes a breach (e.g. tolerance)

Ambiguous wording
“Park fully within a marked bay and must not cause an obstruction”
Doesn’t clearly define whether minor encroachment is a breach

Landowner / authority
Minster Baywatch are not the landowner
Signage does not clearly state who the contract is with

Added costs
Claim inflated to £243
Additional costs not on signage and appear to be double recovery

Does this look broadly correct for a Minster Baywatch / Gladstones claim?

Are the signage and “unclear contracting party” arguments worth emphasising further?

Is the “slightly over the line” / de minimis argument ever effective?

Anything obvious missing or that I should remove?

I would really appreciate any feedback before submitting.

Thanks in advance.

Coupon-mad

Does this look broadly correct for a Minster Baywatch / Gladstones claim?

Yes - except:

• MB signs often say that the place is managed by Bransby Wilson, which is a hugely important defence point, if so.
• Gladstones claims usually fail to specify the term or breach, so you are better using the Chan and Akande paragraph 3 already written & linked specially for Gladstones claims in the Template Defence announcement thread.
  

Are the signage and “unclear contracting party” arguments worth emphasising further?

Yes, especially if Bransby Wilson, OR the landowner/property agent's name appears on any of the signs.

Is the “slightly over the line” / de minimis argument ever effective?

But that's not pleaded in the claim! Do not respond to allegations not pleaded.

All is covered in the Template Defence linked in the 2nd post of the NEWBIES READ THESE FAQS FIRST thread.

Read all of that thread, as it covers Witness Statement & Evidence stage too. It's not just about defence … unless you get lucky and the Court strikes out the claim without a hearing, due to Chan and Akande!

Top of the forum. No links given! You have links in this page: see my signature.

Show us the Claim Form, redacted of data, claim number and password.

Le_Kirk

Claim issued: 11/03/2026, AOS submitted: 19/03/2026

With an issue date of 11/03/26 and having completed the AoS in a timely manner your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 13/04/26

rustlings

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81952249#Comment_81952249

Thanks, really appreciate your help. I've sent you a message with the claim form

rustlings

Bit of time left then, thanks for your message 😀

Coupon-mad

Put the claim form here.

rustlings

claim form redacted.jpeg

Here it is…..

Thanks

rustlings

car park sign.jpeg

Car Park sign if useful too

Le_Kirk

With an issue date of 11/03/26 and providing you complete(d) the AoS after 16/03/26 and before or on 30/03/26 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 13/04/26

Jame4ters

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81954240#Comment_81954240

You’ve left your VRM on the letter

Gr1pr

Minster Baywatch sign and claimant, via Gladstones Solicitors, issue date 11th March

NO breach pleaded, use the Chan and Akande defence template