Jump to content


  • Tweets

  • Posts

    • A full-scale strike at the firm could have an impact on the global supply chains of electronics.View the full article
    • He was one of four former top executives from Sam Bankman-Fried's firms to plead guilty to charges.View the full article
    • The private submersible industry was shaken after the implosion of the OceanGate Titan sub last year.View the full article
    • further polished WS using above suggestions and also included couple of more modifications highlighted in orange are those ok to include?   Background   1.1  The Defendant received the Parking Charge Notice (PCN) on the 06th of January 2020 following the vehicle being parked at Arla Old Dairy, South Ruislip on the 05th of December 2019.   Unfair PCN   2.1  On 19th December 2023 the Defendant sent the Claimant's solicitors a CPR request.  As shown in Exhibit 1 (pages 7-13) sent by the solicitors the signage displayed in their evidence clearly shows a £60.00 parking charge notice (which will be reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days of issue).  2.2  Yet the PCN sent by the Claimant is for a £100.00 parking charge notice (reduced to £60 if paid within 30 days of issue).   2.3        The Claimant relies on signage to create a contract.  It is unlawful for the Claimant to write that the charge is £60 on their signs and then send demands for £100.    2.4        The unlawful £100 charge is also the basis for the Claimant's Particulars of Claim.  No Locus Standi  3.1  I do not believe a contract with the landowner, that is provided following the defendant’s CPR request, gives MET Parking Services a right to bring claims in their own name. Definition of “Relevant contract” from the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4,  2 [1] means a contract Including a contract arising only when the vehicle was parked on the relevant land between the driver and a person who is-   (a) the owner or occupier of the land; or   (b) Authorised, under or by virtue of arrangements made by the owner or occupier of the land, to enter into a contract with the driver requiring the payment of parking charges in respect of the parking of the vehicle on the land. According to https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/44   For a contract to be valid, it requires a director from each company to sign and then two independent witnesses must confirm those signatures.   3.2  The Defendant requested to see such a contract in the CPR request.  The fact that no contract has been produced with the witness signatures present means the contract has not been validly executed. Therefore, there can be no contract established between MET Parking Services and the motorist. Even if “Parking in Electric Bay” could form a contract (which it cannot), it is immaterial. There is no valid contract.  Illegal Conduct – No Contract Formed   4.1 At the time of writing, the Claimant has failed to provide the following, in response to the CPR request from myself.   4.2        The legal contract between the Claimant and the landowner (which in this case is Standard Life Investments UK) to provide evidence that there is an agreement in place with landowner with the necessary authority to issue parking charge notices and to pursue payment by means of litigation.   4.3 Proof of planning permission granted for signage etc under the Town and country Planning Act 1990. Lack of planning permission is a criminal offence under this Act and no contract can be formed where criminality is involved.   4.4        I also do not believe the claimant possesses these documents.   No Keeper Liability   5.1        The defendant was not the driver at the time and date mentioned in the PCN and the claimant has not established keeper liability under schedule 4 of the PoFA 2012. In this matter, the defendant puts it to the claimant to produce strict proof as to who was driving at the time.   5.2 The claimant in their Notice To Keeper also failed to comply with PoFA 2012 Schedule 4 section 9[2][f] while mentioning “the right to recover from the keeper so much of that parking charge as remains unpaid” where they did not include statement “(if all the applicable conditions under this Schedule are met)”.     5.3         The claimant did not mention parking period, times on the photographs are separate from the PCN and in any case are that arrival and departure times not the parking period since their times include driving to and from the parking space as a minimum and can include extra time to allow pedestrians and other vehicles to pass in front.    Protection of Freedoms Act 2012   The notice must -   (a) specify the vehicle, the relevant land on which it was parked and the period of parking to which the notice relates;  22. In the persuasive judgement K4GF167G - Premier Park Ltd v Mr Mathur - Horsham County Court – 5 January 2024 it was on this very point that the judge dismissed this claim.  5.4  A the PCN does not comply with the Act the Defendant as keeper is not liable.  No Breach of Contract   6.1       No breach of contract occurred because the PCN and contract provided as part of the defendant’s CPR request shows different post code, PCN shows HA4 0EY while contract shows HA4 0FY. According to PCN defendant parked on HA4 0EY which does not appear to be subject to the postcode covered by the contract.  6.2         The entrance sign does not mention anything about there being other terms inside the car park so does not offer a contract which makes it only an offer to treat,  Interest  7.1  It is unreasonable for the Claimant to delay litigation for  Double Recovery   7.2  The claim is littered with made-up charges.  7.3  As noted above, the Claimant's signs state a £60 charge yet their PCN is for £100.  7.4  As well as the £100 parking charge, the Claimant seeks recovery of an additional £70.  This is simply a poor attempt to circumvent the legal costs cap at small claims.  7.5 Since 2019, many County Courts have considered claims in excess of £100 to be an abuse of process leading to them being struck out ab initio. An example, in the Caernarfon Court in VCS v Davies, case No. FTQZ4W28 on 4th September 2019, District Judge Jones-Evans stated “Upon it being recorded that District Judge Jones- Evans has over a very significant period of time warned advocates (...) in many cases of this nature before this court that their claim for £60 is unenforceable in law and is an abuse of process and is nothing more than a poor attempt to go behind the decision of the Supreme Court v Beavis which inter alia decided that a figure of £160 as a global sum claimed in this case would be a penalty and not a genuine pre-estimate of loss and therefore unenforceable in law and if the practice continued, he would treat all cases as a claim for £160 and therefore a penalty and unenforceable in law it is hereby declared (…) the claim is struck out and declared to be wholly without merit and an abuse of process.”  7.6 In Claim Nos. F0DP806M and F0DP201T, District Judge Taylor echoed earlier General Judgment or Orders of District Judge Grand, stating ''It is ordered that the claim is struck out as an abuse of process. The claim contains a substantial charge additional to the parking charge which it is alleged the Defendant contracted to pay. This additional charge is not recoverabl15e under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4 nor with reference to the judgment in Parking Eye v Beavis. It is an abuse of process from the Claimant to issue a knowingly inflated claim for an additional sum which it is not entitled to recover. This order has been made by the court of its own initiative without a hearing pursuant to CPR Rule 3.3(4)) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998...''  7.7 In the persuasive case of G4QZ465V - Excel Parking Services Ltd v Wilkinson – Bradford County Court -2 July 2020 (Exhibit 4) the judge had decided that Excel had won. However, due to Excel adding on the £60 the Judge dismissed the case.  7.8        The addition of costs not previously specified on signage are also in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, Schedule 2, specifically paras 6, 10 and 14.   7.9        It is the Defendant’s position that the Claimant in this case has knowingly submitted inflated costs and thus the entire claim should be similarly struck out in accordance with Civil Procedure Rule 3.3(4).   In Conclusion   8.1        I invite the court to dismiss the claim.  Statement of Truth  I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.   
    • Well the difference is that in all our other cases It was Kev who was trying to entrap the motorist so sticking two fingers up to him and daring him to try court was from a position of strength. In your case, sorry, you made a mistake so you're not in the position of strength.  I've looked on Google Maps and the signs are few & far between as per Kev's MO, but there is an entrance sign saying "Pay & Display" (and you've admitted in writing that you knew you had to pay) and the signs by the payment machines do say "Sea View Car Park" (and you've admitted in writing you paid the wrong car park ... and maybe outed yourself as the driver). Something I missed in my previous post is that the LoC is only for one ticket, not two. Sorry, but it's impossible to definitively advise what to so. Personally I'd probably gamble on Kev being a serial bottler of court and reply with a snotty letter ridiculing the signage (given you mentioned the signage in your appeal) - but it is a gamble.  
  • Recommended Topics

  • Our picks

    • If you are buying a used car – you need to read this survival guide.
      • 1 reply
    • Hello,

      On 15/1/24 booked appointment with Big Motoring World (BMW) to view a mini on 17/1/24 at 8pm at their Enfield dealership.  

      Car was dirty and test drive was two circuits of roundabout on entry to the showroom.  Was p/x my car and rushed by sales exec and a manager into buying the mini and a 3yr warranty that night, sale all wrapped up by 10pm.  They strongly advised me taking warranty out on car that age (2017) and confirmed it was honoured at over 500 UK registered garages.

      The next day, 18/1/24 noticed amber engine warning light on dashboard , immediately phoned BMW aftercare team to ask for it to be investigated asap at nearest garage to me. After 15 mins on hold was told only their 5 service centres across the UK can deal with car issues with earliest date for inspection in March ! Said I’m not happy with that given what sales team advised or driving car. Told an amber warning light only advisory so to drive with caution and call back when light goes red.

      I’m not happy to do this, drive the car or with the after care experience (a sign of further stresses to come) so want a refund and to return the car asap.

      Please can you advise what I need to do today to get this done. 
       

      Many thanks 
      • 81 replies
    • Housing Association property flooding. https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/438641-housing-association-property-flooding/&do=findComment&comment=5124299
      • 161 replies
    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

      We will be getting that transcript very soon. We will look at it and we will understand how the judge made such catastrophic mistakes. It was a very poor judgement.
      We will be recommending that people do include this adverse judgement in their bundle so that when they go to county court the judge will see both sides and see the arguments against this adverse judgement.
      Also, we will be to demonstrate to the judge that we are fair-minded and that we don't mind bringing everything to the attention of the judge even if it is against our own interests.
      This is good ethical practice.

      It would be very nice if the parcel delivery companies – including EVRi – practised this kind of thing as well.

       

      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
        • Like
  • Recommended Topics

Thames Credit Limited


style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 5689 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Recommended Posts

I have today received the third letter in a month.

 

The first was in June, with Letter Ref XINTR/003 (I guess that these references show them how far through the process they are!):

 

"Dear Sir,

 

Re: Agreement number blah-blah

 

We refer to the above outstanding debit.

 

This company is part of the Aktiv Kapital Group as you can see from the notepaper, and we are now managing your account on behalf of the group.

 

Our records show that the total balance outstanding, inclusive of all accrued interest, amounts to £x.

 

All future payments should be sent to this company at the address shown.

 

We would like to discuss repayment of this account. To assist, we have set up a dedicated team to take your call. The telephone number is 0800 xxx xxxx.

 

It is imperative that we agree a new repayment plan as soon as possible and, we can offer the following options:

 

We will consider a repayment plan that suits your current financial position, and we will allow you to pay by monthly instalments up to a maximum of 36 months.

 

Alternatively we are prepared to offer you a discount on the outstanding balance, provided you are able to settle and agreed sum over 3 months or if necessary over 6 months.

 

It is important taht you make contact with us in the next 10 days to prevent your account being escalated to our Central Collections Division.

 

Please call us.

 

Yf, etc"

 

The second was about 3 weeks ago, with Letter Ref XLT1A/003 :

 

"Dear Sir,

 

Re: Agreement Number: blah-blah

Outstanding Balance £x

 

Your account was legally assigned to this Group of Companies some time ago and since the date of that assignment, we have been endeavouring to contact you.

 

By processing your account through Public databases it has been confirmed that xxxxxxxxx is living at the address shown on this letter.

 

It is therefore imperative that you contact us immediately to discuss your account. Our telephone number is clearly shown at the top of this letter, as our working hours. Please ask to speak to one of our Negotiators, quoting your reference number.

 

If you believe that you are not out customer, and have no connection with the above referenced account, please contact us as soon as possible on 0800 xxx xxxx, so that we can amend our records.

 

Yf, etc"

 

The latest was dated last week, sent by first class mail postmarked 4 days later, with Letter Ref XLT2A/003:

 

"Dear Sir,

 

Re: Agreement Number: blah-blah

 

We refer to our previous letter and are disappointed that we have not received any response, verbally or in writing.

 

We are sure that you are not simply choosing to ignore our letters.

 

The current outstanding balance on your account is £x, inclsuive of any accrued interest.

 

Take notice that if we do not hear from you within 14 days from the date of this letter - by telephone - putting forward proposals to discharge the due balance, we will take action as follows:

 

1. We will refer the matter to our Solicitors for their consideration, and County Court proceedings may be issued against you for the recovery of this debt, or

 

2. We will refer the matter to our Field Agents, who will call at your address to discuss repayment of the debt with you in person.

 

In order to avoid either of the above actions, please telephone our above number immediately. Our opening times are clearly shown. Please ask to speak to a Negotiator, quoting your reference number.

 

If you believe that you are not our customer, and have no connection with the above referenced account, please contact us as soon as possible on 0800 xxx xxxx, so that we can amend our records.

 

Yf, etc."

 

Payment on any debt which I may owe would have been last made over six years ago. I think that I may stop ignoring their letters (why are they so sure that I'm not?), and send the letter M in the templates.

 

Is this a wise move, or should I carry collecting their letters?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Sounds a clearer English version of Aktiv's letters.

 

If you send the statute barred letter it will go back to Aktiv, however you will first receive a moral pleading letter with a kind of legal threat. Their words always say things like 'may' rather than 'will'.

 

Should you let them carry on, you will get a whole load more letters, including 14 more days to consider, final warning before it gets passed on, how badly damaged your credit file is, interest is suspended but they will add more, may apply for CCJ-letter will go more into what can be done if CCJ actually approved, 'solicitor' letters (printed by themselves), discount offers.

 

Field Agents rarely call. If they do, you are entitled to tell them to go away and they must.

 

When Thames have had enough it will possibly go to Debt Managers.

 

Aktiv are not the worst DCA from what I have seen on here. It does seem though that once Aktiv group give up another DCA will then take over.

 

The only one to watch out for is Bryan Carter. This one puts in court applications hoping there will be no defence, runs pretty quick when defended.

  • Haha 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Letters were sent by Recorded Delivery for each of the debts, and I've checked that they were received the following day. I guess that now I just sit back and wait to see if I receive any acknowledgement or further correspondence?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, that was quick! I received a single letter from them today covering all the debts (up to now, they've been sending a letter for each one!). They saved on the postage, too - second class. The letter ref for this one is CRQ1.

 

"Dear Sir,

 

Further to your recent correspondence in connection with the above referenced matters.

 

In order to assist us in investigating and resolving the issues you have raised. we would ask that you contact our customer relations team on the above freephone number.

 

The purpose of the conversation would be to ascertain certain important facts in relation to this matter, which will assist us in complying withyour request and/or resolving your query.

 

We look forward to receiving your response in connection with this matter by telephoning 0800 xxx xxxx.

 

Yf, etc"

 

Clearly one of the important facts they want to ascertain is a telephone number for me (I haven't used a personal landline for serveral years), in order to hassle me verbally!

 

Should I respond in any way (obviously not by telephone), or just sit back and wait while the "statute barred" fact sinks into their consciousness?

 

 

PS As a precaution, I prefaced each letter I sent with the phrase "I do not acknowledge any debt with your Company".

Link to post
Share on other sites

There are several things you do when you call them -

- buy a very cheap mobile and use that to call them. Then turn it off.

- change your phone settings to withhold you number when you call.

- use a public phone box and only insert 20p. When that runs out wait and see if they call you back. In any case you won't be there on any other occasion and it's not nice to imagine the phone ringing and some unsuspecting member of the public answering and getting a blast.

 

 

[As for using a very cheap phone you might be able to find a discarded one from a friend or colleague. You can then get a free sim from most of the phone vendors by checking out their adverts on msn, itv, and the telegraph and probably lots of other websites.]

I really do appreciate all those 'thank you' emails - I'm glad I've been able to help. Apologies if I haven't acknowledged all of them.

You can also ding my gong if you prefer. :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

They are trying to get you to phone them so that they can frighten you into paying and they WILL lie....you have sent them the statute barred letter and made it quite clear....if they continue to to request payment, then the OFT say this...

 

2.14 (b) -

continuing to press for payment after a debtor has stated that they

will not be paying a debt because it is statute barred could amount to

harassment contrary to section 40 (1) of the Administration of

Justice Act 1970.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't actually want to 'phone them. But, I did think about sending another letter stating that I wish to keep any contact in writing, and asking them to list the "certain important facts" that they wish to ascertain.

 

However, maybe I should point out that their reply in no way meets my request for written confirmation one way or the other, and that they are the ones who should have any documentation as they are alleging the debts against me.

 

Or should I just sit and wait?

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Well, I didn't respond at all to them, and I've now received their follow-up - but we're back to one letter per alleged debt. Letters dated one day, posted "Advanced Mail Second Class" the following day, and received two days later. Once again, there's a Letter Ref: CRQ2 this time, so it's clear they receive others like this! Something else I've noticed is that the margins are rather wider than previous - maybe to give more prominence to the wording?

 

"Dear Sir,

 

Re: Agreement Number blah-blah

 

Outstanding Balance: £ x.xx

 

Further to our recent correspondence in connection with the above referenced matter, we note that we have not received a response.

 

We are endeavouring to resolve the issue that you have raised, but require further information from you in order to so.

 

Without your assistance, we will not be able to resolve this matter as efficiently as either of us would wish.

 

We would therefore request that you contact our specialist team on the freephone number, who will be able to assist you in resolving this matter.

 

We look forward to receiving your response as soon as possible, so please telephone us on 0800 xxx xxxx.

 

Yf, etc"

 

Interesting phraseology - first they won't be able to resolve the matter without my assistance, then (if I 'phone them), they will assist so that I can resolve the matter!

 

I don't intend speaking to them, but should I write back to them at all?

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Hello folks I am new on here !!

 

Well sounds like we are all having fun with the old Thames Credit bunch, I did try and phone once but this kid about 12 was asking me questions off a list probably 2 feet from his face and I gave up in the end, yeah thats right I will send you my passport so you can fit me up for another muppets unpaid bill.

 

Thought I had heard the last from them but the old Bromley Kent letter was waiting for me when I got in to-night. If I had unpaid bills do you think I would list myself on the electoral roll... not in this lifetime??? :rolleyes:

Link to post
Share on other sites

Since my post in August, I haven't had any communication from Thames Credit. From what I've read in the forums, I shouldn't be at all surprised - but I guess that I may get a communication some time in the future trying all over again!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...