Received a claim form from DCB Legal LTD for a parking ticket?

Meltof

Hi all, I hope you’re well.

I’ve received a letter from HM Courts & Tribunal Service regarding a parking charge. The claimant is Smart Parking, and DCB Legal are acting on their behalf.

I contacted DCB Legal to understand the details, and they informed me that the incident dates back to summer 2024. According to their records, I entered the car park at 5:49pm. Normally, free parking begins at 6pm. I genuinely do not recall whether I paid at the time, as it was nearly two years ago.

The claim states the reason as “insufficient paid time.”
When I asked DCB Legal for more information—specifically whether I made any payment—they said they only have the entry and exit times, not the payment details.

I have a vague memory of going inside the premises at the time to ask whether I needed to pay for the remaining 10 minutes before free parking started. I believe I was told there was a 10‑minute grace period, which would have taken me into the free parking time anyway. However, because this was in 2024, my recollection is limited.

I use this car park frequently for the gym and always pay when required, so I would have paid if necessary. I simply cannot remember the exact circumstances from that day.

I recorded my call with DCB Legal. The representative said she would obtain details confirming whether I paid or not. When I asked how they would do that, she told me not to worry and that they would contact me.

I would appreciate guidance on how best to proceed given the lack of evidence and the time that has passed.

Gr1pr

Defend The claim , its that simple

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

Meltof

Issue date is 02/04/26

Car1980

Stop communicating with them. They're going to tell you lies, not help you. And they are the ones who need evidence, not you. Not that it will get that far because they will discontinue the claim in the autumn.

Defend the claim and play the game.

Meltof

What do you mean by Not that it will get that far because they will discontinue the claim in the autumn.

Do I need to do anything now I tried to contact court telephone number but couldnt get through?

Thank you

Gr1pr

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81956172#Comment_81956172

Login to MCOL via your government gateway account and complete the AOS online stage ASAP, after reading post 2 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad first

Then use the defence template from the Smart Parking DCB Legal group thread by member sluzz, but using the latest template defence paragraphs in the template defence in the defence template thread in announcements, because a couple of the standard paragraphs were updated recently

Meltof

AOS by Coupon Mad is completed now

trying to find the Smart Parking DCB Legal group thread by member sluzz

Le_Kirk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81956172#Comment_81956172

With an issue date of 02/04/26 and providing you complete(d) the AoS after 07/04/26 and before or on 21/04/26 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 05/05/26

Meltof

Yes, 5/5/26 is the due date.

Just for my own sake, I should follow this thread, correct? Thank you

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6642762/smart-parking-claim-via-dcb-legal-group-info-thread

Gr1pr

Correct, but due to recent changes in the defence template thread at the top of the forum, its an amalgum of the 2 these days, where the new supercedes the old

Meltof

Please can you provide me with the up to date one I can follow? I'm a bit lost. Thank you