Smart Parking - Hengrove Leisure Centre - Court claim

Paparika

Seems Smart are now taking people to court.

Gr1pr

Correct, but read the top left header again, its definitely not a CCJ. !

Smart Parking via DCB Legal have been issuing claims for over 2 years

Get the AOS online stage done ASAP if not before

Then Use the 11 paragraph defence template by member meltof posted on 12th April 2026, no changes

Paparika

I have already applied for the extra time,

Note that I have MS and parked in a disabled bay showing my disabled badge. looking to go Excel v Greenwood approach.

Gr1pr

You should edit your thread title to something more suitable by changing CCJ to Court Claim

Paparika

Done,

Your thoughts on Excel v Greenwood

Gr1pr

No idea

But the allegation in the POC is parked without authorisation

So how does a visitor obtain authorisation at that leisure centre. ? Keypad or Ipad inside ?

Was the vehicle registered inside the building in order to obtain authorisation. ?

Lastly, I suggested that you use the 11 paragraph defence template by meltof, I stand by my recommendation, with no changes and no additions, unless the NTK PCN letter complied with POFA 2012. ?

Gr1pr

Google search says the following

Hengrove Park Leisure Centre in Bristol offers a 320-space split-level car park located directly across from the centre. Parking is managed by an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system.

Key parking details:

• Cost: The first 3 hours are free for leisure centre customers.
• Validation: You must register your vehicle at the consoles inside the reception upon every visit to avoid a fine.
• Blue Badge: Accessible parking is available, but Blue Badge holders must register their vehicles at reception.
• Overstay Tariffs: If you park for longer than 3 hours, charges apply. You can pay via the payment machines on-site, the RingGo app (Location 21681), or at reception

Paparika

I was in the bb parking bay. my badge was on display and i did attempt to register my car, but the machine wasn't playing ball, I did tell the reception but he was pretty busy and just shrugged his shoulders, i had a hospital appointment and left to go to that which right next to the leisure centre. there is parking at the hospital but the spaces were all full.

Car1980

Doesn't really matter. It'll be discontinued anyway.

Just say you registered at the reception and were therefore authorised to park in the bay.

Coupon-mad

I recall Excel v Greenwood and I exchanged messages with Mr Greenwood on pepipoo at the time. But it's just an unimportant and old county court level case where the facts differed from your case & you don't need it.

There is a current tsunami of Smart Parking claims. So much so, that I now have copy & paste advice ready:

Just click on the username @Meltof

Copy their version of a Smart Parking final defence posted on April 12th. Obviously, as they didn't use the POFA until 2025, theres no 'keeper liability' possible with Smart's claims for old PCNs.


These claims are all the same (none go to hearings) and the sheer numbers of Smart Parking claim threads - about half a dozen new ones EVERY DAY here - have driven us regulars a bit mad in April/May with this batch!

Literally read any Smart thread…

Follow the 8 steps in the Template Defence thread which also covers Mediation.

It'll be discontinued just before the hearing fee falls due in the Autumn/Winter.

Read @Umkomaas'thread of over 875 examples . And counting! 

Le_Kirk

With an issue date of 09/06/26 and having completed the AoS in a timely manner your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 13/07/26