Claim form from vehicle control services

[Merch]

Hi there, i am hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction.

My father had a parking fine from the company stated above, i told him to ignore it as most private company's don't bother taking you to court (stupid i know)

We have received a letter issued on the 12th of June which seems to be a claim form issued through the company via the County court business center NN1 2LH.

The form has 4 pages printed front and back and includes an admission form, a defence and counterclaim form and a response pack as well as the page with information about amount claimed and my password for www.moneyclaim.gov.uk.

Ideally we would like to pay nothing, but we would be happy just paying the original amount. From what i have read about this company they dont seem like the kind of business i would be happy forking £160 over too.

What is my best course of action?
Should i admit to the debt and pay it? if so how would i go about this?
Should i ask to pay the original amount of the debt?
Is there anything i can do to make it too much work for the company so they stop pursuing me?

Also the letter does not seem legit, the stamp just says county court and the coat of arms says nothing, there are no signatures on the document, is there anything i have to do regarding this form? what will happen if i just ignore it?

Thank you so much for your time.

[ostell]

Yep, that sounds like the not very impressive claim form from Northampton.

First thing to do is to acknowledge the claim using the details and password on the form. Do not put anything in the defence. This gives you 33 days from the date of issue to get the defence into the court.

You could make an offer for the original sum but doubt if they would accept. If you do make an offer then head the letter "Without Prejudice "

So what do the Particulars of Claim say, suitably redacted?

have you got the original PCN?

What does the £160 consist of, have they sneaked in another £60 for other costs?