Smart parking / DCB Legal help with defence for insufficient time paid

Likeablecharacter

Please help, I’m new here and so confused as to what I need to do with this.

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I visited family in Cornwall, in a hire car, Fistral Beach Car Park back in 2023 , paid for a 2 hour parking ticket. I have a copy of this ticket.

I had trouble with the meter and had to download the Ringo app, however after a few attempts this didn’t work as my phone was out of signal range. My cousin ended up coming to the rescue and paid on the Ringo App for me. Finally got the ticket and went to the beach. I can’t quite remember the ins and outs as it was so long ago, and I don’t have the original PCN detailing times I was over, but we returned to the car got packed up and administered some first aid to one of my children and had a drink and a snack before setting off. The car park was not busy and I wasn’t even aware of any cameras taking pics of registration plates on entry and exit , otherwise I would have been more vigilant about the time. I just assumed that I was ok to not rush as a ticket was purchased.

I then got a notification from the hire company and had to pay them an admin fee of £35 as they had received the PCN and had to reply to smart parking to give them my details.
Then came the PCN which I responded to on the smart parking portal, which I never received any response. Followed by threatening letters from debt collection companies , I feel this is extortion then finally DCB took it on, I did not respond to any letters. Then I got the HM Courts letter which I have attached.

Please help if possible as to what I need to do, I’m at my wits end as I can’t afford to pay this , it’s keeping me up at night and it’s all I can think about as I don’t want a ccj.
Many thanks in advance.

Gr1pr

Issue date 15th May, insufficient paid time

Login to MCOL via your government gateway account and complete the AOS online stage ASAP

Then use the Smart Parking defence template defence by member meltof posted on 12th April in the group thread by member sluzz

Copy and paste into the MCOL defence box, save it, submit, job done for now

Likeablecharacter

thank you for your prompt response Gr1pr. What is MCOL? Can you tell me how I find the defence template? How do a search this thanks?

I wanted to say it was Tower Road Car park not Fistal beach car park. My error sorry.

Gr1pr

Study your N1SDT claim form pack from the CNBC in Northampton for guidance

Study the 5th post in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad

Look at the first 2 posts in the defence template thread in announcements near the top of the forum

Look for the posts by mse member meltof , especially the post dated 12th April 2026

1505grandad

"Then came the PCN which I responded to on the smart parking portal, ….."

Did you reveal who the driver was in the above comms.?

Likeablecharacter

I really can’t remember as it was so long ago, however I doubt I would have said who the driver was. I would have said that we bought a ticket on the app. Would there be any way in accessing the portal again?

Likeablecharacter

Could I please ask when filling in the acknowledgement of service (I’m doing it now) - should I tick the box that says I intend to contest jurisdiction? Thanks

Gr1pr

No, not if you are in England and Wales, but study post 2 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum by coupon mad, where you will find a guide to completing your AOS online stage on MCOL

Le_Kirk

Use the Smart defence and, with an issue date of 15/05/26 and providing you complete(d) the AoS before or on 03/06/26 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 17/06/26

Likeablecharacter

thank you Le_Kirk I have just logged into my government gateway and am filling in the acknowledgment of service now, I’m not very good with online stuff and all the jargon, so it’s taking me a while to do and I’m completely baffled but also very grateful of all the information on the subject. Thank you.

Le_Kirk

There is a step-by-step guide about how to complete the AoS linked in the NEWBIE sticky Post 2 starting here: -

Here is a guide to MCOL, how to acknowledge service ('AOS'):