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    • 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.  
    • No! What has happened is that your pix were up-to-date: 5 hours' maximum stay and £100 PCN. The lazy solicitors have sent ancient pictures: 4 hours' maximum stay and £60 PCN. Don't let on!  Let them be hoisted by their own lazy petard in the court hearing (if they don't bottle before).
    • Thanks for all the suggestions so far I will amend original WS and send again for review.  While looking at my post at very beginning when I submitted photos of signs around the car park I noticed that it says 5 hours maximum stay while the signage sent by solicitor shows 4 hours maximum stay but mine is related to electric bay abuse not sure if this can be of any use in WS.
    • Not sure what to make of that or what it means for me, I was just about to head to my kip and it's a bit too late for legalise. When is the "expenditure occured"?  When they start spending money to write to me?  Or is this a bad thing (as "harsh" would imply)? When all is said and done, I do not have two beans to rub together, we rent our home and EVERYTHING of value has been purchased by and is in my wife's name and we are not financially linked in any way.  So at least if I can't escape my fate I can at least know that they will get sweet FA from me anyway   edit:  ah.. Sophia Harrison: Time bar decision tough on claimants WWW.SCOTTISHLEGAL.COM Time bar is a very complex area of law in Scotland relating to the period in which a claim for breach of duty can be pursued. The Scottish government...   This explains it like I am 5.  So, a good thing then because creditors clearly know they have suffered a loss the minute I stop paying them, this is why it is "harsh" (for them, not me)? Am I understanding this correctly?  
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Lowell Portfolio (Barclays) have issued a County Court Claim....help!


classylady18
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I think? there are two forms of assignment, one equitable (rights and benefits), and one absolute (with obligations)

 

 

How you find out from them I dont know? but once you put your counterclaim in, I am sure you will soon find out:grin:

 

Lowell will be Equitable - they buy the rights and benefits but the obligations belong with the original creditor who was responsible for the build up of any illegal charges etc

 

Sorry about lateness of reply

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On assignment - this assignment is contractual under the Law of Property Act 1925 rather than in equity.

 

One question - is this for back charges or credit card charges? (they are different in that the former are covered by the test case and the latter not, a case for the former is likely to be stayed) - I'm assuming this is bank charges.

 

Since the two cases (Lowells chasing you and you chasing Barclays) are seperate, what would happen is that Lowells case would go ahead, probably ending with a CCJ for you, and the Barclays case wouldbe stayed pending the test case outcome (2 years?). Eventually, you would get the money but would have been paying Lowells and living with a CCJ in the meantime.

If any one thinks otherwise or can think of a different way forward, please say so - I am thinking aloud a bit here.

 

IMHO you need to get the two cases linked and then stayed. Once the test case is over, the case can go ahead and Barclays debt to you will pay yours to Lowells and leave you with some over, particularly as interest will accrue in the meantime.

 

So I think you do need to add Barclays - details of adding parties are here

 

I don't think you will gey Barclays to willingly agree, so you will have to apply for a court order using a form N244 and pay £75. There may be a fee for the counter claim too, which you would get back.

 

So, you make an application for three things:

 

1. that, since the debt to Lowells is made up entirely of charges (which you assert to be unlawful and which are currently the subject of a test case between the OFT and Abbey National plc and 7 others) added to the account by Barclays, you ask the court for an order joining Barclays to the case pursuant to CPR Part 19.2 (2) (a)&(b)

 

2. that, since the charges are the subject of the above mentioned case and Barclays is a party to that case also, that this case be stayed pending the outcome of the test case.

 

3. that you be given the right to amend your defence and submit a counterclaim once the OFT case is resolved.

 

How does that sound? Anyone?

Edited by steven4064
LPA is 1925 not 1920

 

 

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I am really worried now that i am going to get a CCJ. I wish i hadnt sent my AOS saying i was going to defend, i feel like i have opened a can of worms here. I dont feel experienced enough to fight this.

 

I am seriously considering trying to get an advanc eon my mortgage to pay this off.

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Classylady

 

Please don't panic

 

I think you have a really good chance of heading off a CCJ - after all you do not owe this money. In fact they owe you.

 

Where is the case now? Have you been sent an allocation questionnaire yet?

 

Wait a little while and see what anyone else thinks about my strategy. I have had one comment so far from another team member.

 

Then we'll help you get an application in and see these pond-life off.

 

 

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I think you should write to Barclays as soon as possible asking them to be joined to the case (they will almost certainly refuse, but I think you have to ask)

[your address]

 

Barclays Legal and Compliance

Litigation and Disputes

Level 29

One Churchill Place

London

E14 5HP

 

[date]

 

Dear Sirs

 

Account number: xxxxxxxxxxxx

The above account held by myself was sold to Lowells despite the fact that the balance is made up entirley of bank charges and interest levied thereon.

 

Lowells are currently taking me to court for recovery of this balance (Claim number XXXXXX in the XXXXX County Court).

 

As you are aware, the charges levied on this account by Barclays are currently the subject of a test case (OFT -v- Abbey National plc and 7 others) before Mr Justice Smith and to which Barclays are a party.

 

Since this is material to Lowells case against me, I wish to joint Barclays to that case pursuant to CPR Part 19.2 (2)(a)&(b) so that the matters in dispute can be resolved and to which matters Barclays are obviously connected.

 

Please confirm your agreement to Barclays being joined to case XXXXXX. If I do not hear from you within 7 days from receipt of this letter, I will assume your agreement.

 

Yours failthfully

 

Classylady

Send a copy of the letter to the court and to Lowells. Edited by steven4064
spurious smiley

 

 

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Hi Steven,

 

I have not had an allocation questionnaire sent to me yet. I received the initial Claim Form from Northampton Courts dated 21st July, the 14 days days are up on friday i think. They should have recieved my acknowledgement of service yesterday (i hope).

 

Do they send me an allocation questionnaire out when i they receive my form back?

 

I will send this letter to Barclays today and copy to Lowells and Northampton Court.

 

I'll try not to panic..! ;)

 

your help is really appreciated Steven

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Steven - As the account is no longer open do i need to reword this bit....

 

The above account held by myself was sold to Lowells despite the fact that the balance is made up entirley of bank charges and interest levied thereon.

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You should sign these letter. It's only when there is a disputed CC agreements that you need to be careful.

 

Yes, amend the sentence as you suggest.

 

You will be sent an AQ by the court in due course. If the initial claim form was dated 21 July, you have until 18 August to get in you defence.

 

I think you should also write to Lowells asking for a copy of the Notice of Assignment that you should have been sent to comply with s136 of the Law of Property Act 1925 when they aquired the alleged debt. Let's put pressure on these guys. Again copy the letter to the court.

 

 

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If your really worried about this and this is just a thought why dont you approach Lowell, in writing if thats your preference and ask if they would consider an out of court settlement whereby you pay by instalments, worst case scenario they may want you to sign a consent order saying they can go for CCJ if you fall behind with the instalments so set the level realistic

 

Other than that if you want to fight it follow the above good advice

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I have a letter from lowell informing me that the debt had been sold on 30/01/2008 and been appointed as collection agents. Is this the notice of assignment??
I think that is the notice of assignment. I hadn't realised it ws so recent - often you can catch these people out because their admin is appalling.

 

I don't think you need to choose between the two approaches. It is still early days. You could try and get it stayed as I have suggested and, if that fails, come to an arrangement with Lowells before any court date. You probably have several months before any reasonable court date. However, I think you have a strong case to bring in Barclays and get the whole thing stayed. Even better, there is a good chance that Lowells will send the whole thing back to Barclays.

 

 

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Just a quick question....

 

I have never asked Lowells for any CCA for my debt, is this something i should try and obtain from them? I have a feeling that they wont have anything to produce - as far as i can remember i increased my overdraft over the phone so woulnt have signed anything...

 

Any ideas??

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Hi,

 

Can somebody help me draft a letter to Lowells offering a repayment of £30 a month if they can withdraw the court claim against me. I'm thinking of going down this route after having a good think about my options.

 

I am really struggling to raise the court fee to defend their claim so i feel i have no other option.

 

I hope someone can help...

 

Thanks CL

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