County court business centre claim for private parking fine

[Alice1310]

I've been issued a claim for an outstanding parking fine from a private car park belonging to a set of apartments. The landlord's property and car park are attached to a small supermarket Express store. I guess the landlord got sick of people using the carpark for shopping. I'm not from the area and was unaware of the signs due to other vehicles blocking my view upon entering. They are however present (when I was provided photographic evidence from the claimant) displaying that its a private carpark for residents only. I'd gone into the shop for 4 mins to fetch some milk formula for my baby. Upon returning I noticed the red card on my windscreen. It dawned on me why the young man with a black device in his hand stood near the door of the shop when I was leaving the store was grinning as I walked past him. I felt sick. I drove my car outside the carpark and parked further down the street and observed. Within minutes he'd targeted his next victim. He wasn't waiting longer than 60seconds to pounce and disappeared just as quick once he'd issued a fine. I chose to ignore the fine along with the letters I've been receiving over the past 7 months. I've now received a claim from a county court business centre in Northamptonshire. Is there anyone who can help advise me on what I can do or what my options are? Thank you in advance. Alice.

[ostell]

So your reading should tell you to acknowledge the claim using the details and password on the form. Noting in the defence. This gives you 33 days from the date of issue to get your defence to court.

The ticket on the windscreen: did it say "Not a Parking Charge"? Did you later receive a Notice to Keeper? How much later? Do you still have the paperwork?

[Alice1310]

Hi Ostell. The ticket said 'Parking Charge'. It was a red piece of card with details on the back on how to pay. Unfortunately I've thrown the letters away. One arrived 8 weeks after the ticket was issued and another 3 months later. The county court business centre claim letter arrived yesterday.

[Alice1310]

I don't know whether to just pay the £185. It's causing me so much stress and anxiety. It's hard enough being a new mum. Now I'm being hindered for this money.

[ostell]

Shame you threw everything away as it looks as though they haven't complied with the requirements to hold the keeper liable, and they don't know the driver.

Letter to the solicitor saying that in order to narrow the issues between you then you require them to supply copies of all the documents that they intend to use in court. As these documents must be in their possession you would expect them by return or in any case within 7 days.

[Alice1310]

Ok, thank you so much. I'll write a letter to them asking them for the documents. Meanwhile, I've been trying to log on to the website moneyclaim.gov.uk to acknowledge the claim and the site is not working. A sign has appeared since last night, saying its under maintenance.