I have received a County Court claim form for a parking offence and would like advice on what course of action is best. Details:
Parked on shopping centre car park (far less than half full) on 2nd October 2019.* I did overstay the free limit of 3 hours and, other than being very distracted by other events in my life, had no excuse. However the Notice to Keeper (sent by ES Parking) did not arrive until the 17th October. I took advice from Citizen's Advice and wrote back to the company stating as they were outside the timescale I did not have to pay. They rejected my appeal. I decided to ignore the fine as I felt they were just trying it on and when I heard nothing else for several months I binned all the paperwork.*
I am now being asked to pay £238.90 or give my defence. I am concerned that if I defend it that, although I think I am in the right, I will lose and have to pay even more. I am also concerned about my credit rating. But, I despise being bullied by this parking company when I do not believe anyone has been disadvantaged by my error.
Please help
*
Parked on shopping centre car park (far less than half full) on 2nd October 2019.* I did overstay the free limit of 3 hours and, other than being very distracted by other events in my life, had no excuse. However the Notice to Keeper (sent by ES Parking) did not arrive until the 17th October. I took advice from Citizen's Advice and wrote back to the company stating as they were outside the timescale I did not have to pay. They rejected my appeal. I decided to ignore the fine as I felt they were just trying it on and when I heard nothing else for several months I binned all the paperwork.*
I am now being asked to pay £238.90 or give my defence. I am concerned that if I defend it that, although I think I am in the right, I will lose and have to pay even more. I am also concerned about my credit rating. But, I despise being bullied by this parking company when I do not believe anyone has been disadvantaged by my error.
Please help
*