Bridgewater Retail Park - Altrincham

longtale_Parker

Good morning all,

I received a Claim Form and Response Pack dated 6 May 2026 and understood I had 28 days to respond from an assumed receipt date of 5 days after the Issue Date (therefore, a response is required by 8 June 2026).

Having been away I was planning to respond this week but received a Judgement, dated 29 May 2026 saying I must pay "forthwith" a total of £300.5 (for using a free car park).

There is a statement suggesting I can apply for the judgement to be cancelled if "… did not respond to the original claim from the court".

Does this mean I can still submit my defence?

Particulars and party involved:
Civil Enforcement Ltd.
Event date 5/9/24
Time in 8:44 Time out 11:56

Thanks

longtale_Parker

Having read more into the Newbies thread and recognise I have messed up.

Given that the amount due is very high (for a free car park) it is almost close enough to the fee to apply for a set aside, so is there any value in trying that first?

If there's a reasonable chance of having it set aside I would rather pay the money to the court than the bandits, but what would be considered reasonable grounds? The claim/ response pack did arrive some time around mid-May but I thought I had more time to prepare a defence and respond (but had mis-remembered the AOS part).

If it isn't set aside though, it leaves me over £600 out of pocket… for a free car park, but is it worth the risk?

I'm so angry (with myself mainly) that I feel quite sick today

Gr1pr

It seems to me that you didn't complete the AOS online stage, so the deadline was 19 days after the issue date, not 33 days, but would have been 33 days if you had completed the AOS stage promptly, sorry to say

WWas It a VEL in-house claim. ? Or are DCB LEGAL involved. ?

longtale_Parker

You're right. I missed the AOS deadline after reading down the list of things to complete in the order they appear (and not recognising/ remembering the need for the AOS step. Admit = No; Admit Part = No; Defend = Yes. I was then looking for date/ timeline info on the defence form and half-remembered the 28 day deadline.

I have to admit I was looking through the form only to find the part I felt applied to me, so missed the box that said "Time allowed to reply…" and didn't study it as I should have. I skipped to the highlighted section and read what I thought was true, rather than taking in the detail/ info. (Is the timeline different from a PcC perhaps, that may have been what I was thinking of?). What an expensive (and so bloody annoying) lesson!

Feel so stupid and (still) annoyed, and wondering whether to spend another £315ish to apply for it to be set-aside. I've been waiting for advice on here, but also put details into AI chat which rates chances as low to moderate, but suggests acting promptly would be a benefit.

Claim only mentions CEL but have a feeling DCB have been involved. I feel sure it was a winnable case and was preparing everything but just missed the deadline info.

longtale_Parker

I think the AOS response date was even extended by the bank holiday, but still too late.

Hate to think they got a win because I was as lax as they can usually be relied upon to be

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022947#Comment_82022947

I wouldn't put your chances as low, if you have a decent defence. Judges take that plus acting promptly, as considerations under CPR 13.3. Do you have a decent defence?

There may be another way to avoid a £300+ cost, unique to this forum:

What's the date of CCJ please?

In-house claim by CEL (not solicitors)?

Gr1pr

Post a redacted picture of the top left of the claim form below after hiding your name, address and any qr codes , so top left quarter with CEL etc

As for DCB, we are not asking if they were involved at some point, we are asking if they are listed below CEL on the claim form, meaning is it an in -house claim ? Or a 3rd party involved ? ( which could be DCB LEGAL. )

I suspect that its an in-house claim, NO DCB legal involvement

Coupon-mad

I will send you a pm as there is another way.

longtale_Parker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022990#Comment_82022990

Thank you CM!
The date of the CCJ is 29/05/2026 and I do think DCB were involved, from a chasing point of view

longtale_Parker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82023033#Comment_82023033

Thank you!

longtale_Parker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82023010#Comment_82023010

Sorry Gr1pr - after promising myself I would always read things fully and carefully from now on - I missed your clarification question in your message!!

The claim only refers to CEL (twice) so, on that basis it is an in-house claim

My head is in bits today - sorry