MindtheTiger v SmartParking

[Mindthetiger]

I have received an HM Courts and Tribunals Service claim from Smart Parking Ltd via DCB Legal Ltd for a private parking charge for the amount of £308. ..Issue dated 22 Oct 2025 ... I have have opened a Gov. Gateway account and acknowledged service but as yet not filed a defence. The alleged offence took place on 4th Feb 2022 at the Roy Castle Charity shop Heswall, Wirral with a car I have not owned since 2022 .. I have no recollection of parking at the stated place and did not receive any correspondence regarding this matter until 23rd May 2025 and that was via a letter from DCB Legal. ..That is over 3 years ago ... I had no reason to visit this place and there is no time stated on the court claim form just the date 04/02/2022 and registration number of the car. .. I cannot even recall where I was that day but certainly not there. I have read many cases re this company and so many people say they never received anything from Smart Parking Ltd as I have not. I would have appealed it had I received it. .. I would ask the forum for some helpful guidance on how to proceed with this matter as I need to file a defence asap to comply with the 28 day rule from the court. Thank you.

[des8]

Send a Subject Access letter to Smart Parking, and send a CPR31.14 letter to DCBLegal. Templates here:
https://legalbeagles.org/library/gui...ccess-request/
https://legalbeagles.org/library/gui...-of-documents/

Also please post up a copy of the claim form (first removing your name & address and court reference number and vehicle registration number)

[Mindthetiger]

Thank you Des 8 for that... How will I get all this information by the 28 day rule to file a defence in time or can I file that I am defending the claim and awaiting information from the claimant. Please advise

[des8]

If they reply in a timely manner, you will receive the info.
If they don't the lack of it will be highlighted in your defence.

You have about 3 weeks left in which to file serve your defence, so give us a nudge around 21st Nov if you have heard nothing.
If you do receive the documents, post them up together with the claim form and pictures of the signs at the shop (if feasible).

I note there are two Roy Castle locations near to one another, so be interesting to see if they have the address correct!

[Mindthetiger]

Dear Des 8 .. I have checked and as the 5 day rule applies to the issue date 22nd Oct 2025 making it the 27th then the defence, 28 day rule, will have to be in by 24th Nov 2025. Do I type out the two template forms and post them to the companies with proof of postage or send them by email please advise. Thank you again.

[des8]

Because of the time constraints I would use email with read receipt.
The guides are templates that you might need to amend.

[Mindthetiger]

Thanks DES8 will do

[Mindthetiger]

Hi DES8 ...I sent the info request aover a week ago to Smart Parking and to DCBLegal ...No response from the first one and an automated reply from DCBL giving me their bank details and saying nothing regarding the info requested. I will need to file my defence next week please advise thanks

[des8]

Defence not due in until Monday week, so will get something out after the weekend, as long as you post up a copy of the claim form (and parking signs if possible)

[des8+1]

Sorry for delay, but what with the forum being down for maintenance, and then not being able to access the forum because of some URL snafu, I (des8) have had to open a new account temporarily.
I'll get down to your defence tomorrow

[des8+1]

I've now regained access but can't proceed without sight of the claim form (and parking signs if possible)

[PallasAthena]

... then not being able to access the forum because of some URL snafu, I (des8) have had to open a new account temporarily.

It was the worldwide Cloudflare failure and I couldn't log in either. It seems to be fixed now and this morning I can log in again. Hopefully you can retrieve your original account des8

[des8]

It was the worldwide Cloudflare failure and I couldn't log in either. It seems to be fixed now and this morning I can log in again. Hopefully you can retrieve your original account des8

Ok now thanks .... all I have to do is not confuse myself with Des8 /Des8+1

[echat11]

Ok now thanks .... all I have to do is not confuse myself with Des8 /Des8+1

Simples, one is 'eight', the other one adds up to 'nine'!!

[Celestine]

Posting for MindtheTiger as he's having log in issues.