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Hi, I'm hoping to get some help with a Claim Form I received on 19th of May. I have acknowledge it via MCOL on the 28th of May but that's all I've done so far and this is a similar case to a thread here, title " MindtheTiger vs Smart Parking".
About a month ago, surely in the month of May, I received a letter from DCB Legal LTD (representative of the claimant - SMART PARKING LIMITED) apparently for a charge of £206 for a parking fine from 30th october 2023 that was "supposedly" sent to me. None of which I recall receiving. I have only moved to Bury in August the same year and I haven't had the said car since late Feb 2024 - in situations where I might have overstayed or in this case, reason stated was - insufficient paid time, I'll usually just reluctantly pay to avoid any issues but as I said I don't remember receiving anything of sort until the first letter but if I did I would've paid but I have no record of this. I had been quite busy sorting other pending important things so I thought I'd deal with it later unfortunately I can't find the initial letter but it didn't include any pictures or concrete information or evidence showing my car at the time etc.
On 19th of May month, I received a claims form from the HM Courts and Tribunals service with claims letter about the payment. I acknowledged the letter that I'll be defending all claims. How do I defend this? please help.
Received a claim? Yes
Issue Date: 19 May 2026
Have you Acknowledged the Claim?: Yes
Total Amount Claimed : ~ £300
Claimant’s Name: SMART PARKING LIMITED
Solicitors Firm: DCB LEGAL LTD
Original Creditor:
Original Debt (eg. Credit card/Loan/Overdraft) : Parking charge
Particulars of Claim:
1. The Defendant (D) is indebted to the Claimant (C) for a parking charge (PC ) issued to vehicle XX1234X at X location in Bury.
2. The date of contravention is XX / 10 / 2023 and the D was issued with a PC by the Claimaint
3. The Defendant is pursued as the driver of the vehicle for breach of the terms on the signs (the contract). Reason: Insufficient Paid Time.
4. In the alternative the Defendant is pursued as the keeper pursuant to POFA 2012, Schedule 4. AND THE CLAIMANT CLAIMS
1. ~£200 being the total of the PC and damages
2. Interest rate at a rate of 8.00% per annum pursuant to s.69 of the County Courts Act 1984 from date of hereof at a daily rate of £0.04 until judgement or sooner payment.
3. Costs and court fees ( Please type out in full excluding names/account numbers/exact amounts ):
Is the debt Statute Barred (have you had any contact with the creditor or claimant over the last 6 years?): No contact that I'm aware of
List any letters you have sent (eg: CCA/ CPR ): None yet but will be sending CPR based of recommendation on First step
Any Other Information or Background Details: I don't have the car anymore - changed it in February, I honestly don't recall this and as I mentioned above, I'll have reluctantly paid to avoid issues if I ever got a parking ticket for staying overtime even if it was only for 5mins. I can't remember I long ago but I do recollect one time where I visited this location which has around 45min free time by the way and then paid time after that. I thought I might have stayed longer and then bought ticket afterwards on my way out with the hope that if I got a ticket I can show the ticket I bought afterwards but I don't remember getting anything and I must've binned the ticket after a long time collecting dust in the car