DCB Legal Claim - Horizon Parking - Epping Forest Centre Road - Advice Needed

Abuyaqub

Hi everyone,

I have recently received a County Court Claim from DCB Legal acting for Horizon Parking and would be grateful for some advice on whether I have a realistic defence.

Claim details:

Claimant: Horizon Parking Ltd

Solicitors: DCB Legal

Issue Date: 17 July 2026

Amount claimed: £265.40 (£170 PCN and damages, £10.40 interest, £35 court fee, £50 legal costs)

Alleged contravention: Failure to pay for full duration of stay (ANPR)

Location: Epping Forest Centre Road Car Park

Date of parking: 1 October 2025

I appealed to Horizon and then to POPLA. My POPLA appeal was rejected.

The background is that I received two very similar PCNs on different dates. I paid one of them but mistakenly believed I had also paid this one. I have since checked and realised I only paid one PCN.

My POPLA appeal was mainly based on inadequate signage and lack of proof of non-payment, but POPLA accepted Horizon's evidence, including their signage photographs and payment log.

I contacted DCB Legal to ask if they would waive the legal costs (and, if possible, the court fee) because I was in the process of moving house at the time and mistakenly believed the PCN had been paid. They have refused to reduce the amount.

I have not yet filed my Acknowledgment of Service but intend to do so within the deadline.

Given these facts:

Is there any realistic defence available?

Is the additional £70 added to the original £100 PCN still challengeable?

Would you recommend defending, or is settlement the more sensible option?

Many thanks in advance for any guidance.

yarpsnehpets

Can we assume that the driver has therefore been identified in the appeals / communications?

Abuyaqub

I paid a different PCN relating to a separate visit on another day. As far as I'm aware, I did not identify the driver in my appeal for this PCN. I deliberately referred to "the driver" and "the appellant" throughout, rather than stating that I was the driver. If I've missed something in my correspondence, please let me know.

Le_Kirk

With an issue date of 17/07/26 and providing you complete(d) the AoS before or on 05/08/26 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 19/08/26

Le_Kirk

The defence is in the Defence Template thread but, you will be asked by forum members

WHY did you pay?

Coupon-mad

"The background is that I received two very similar PCNs on different dates. I paid one of them but mistakenly believed I had also paid this one."

Wow… why on earth are you paying these things? They aren't fines. You must never pay these all the time that the industry remains rogue. You've been had.

Anyway, you live and learn!

Everyone wins v DCB Legal because (apart from two or three clients, not Horizon) they always discontinue before hearings. It is risk free and costs nothing. Just use the template defence.

Show us the Particulars of Claim.

Abuyaqub

Hi all

I just got back from holiday two days ago. Unfortunately I I have misplaced the letter so I have no way of filing the defence. I put it too safe (.

I contacted DCB Legal and they said the deadline has passed and they are waiting on judgement. The gave me option of paying £240 to settle. I refused.

What does that mean?

I have to contact the court for the letter or update.

Is there anything I can do?

Le_Kirk

Did you submit the AoS via MCOL? If so, you should be able to access your MCOL account and continue to file the defence, just use the standard defence template. If you don't file something by tomorrow, they will be able to press the "default judgment" button.

Coupon-mad

Find that missing claim form. You need it. You cannot get it from the CNBC because they'll need the claim number!

Do not pay. There is a cheaper way but you need that claim form. Look for it now.

Abuyaqub

Hi

Thankfully, I've managed to locate the form. I filed Acknowledgement of Service on 27 July, so I still have till tomorrow to file a defence.

Can someone kindly guide me on how to file the defence?

I've attached the front page of the claim form.

Le_Kirk

First of all that claim form needs redacting; you've shown the claim number and password. Anybody without your best interests at heart could file a poor defence!