Jump to content


  • Tweets

  • Posts

    • 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.  
    • 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).
  • 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

Southern Rail taking me to court!


style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 5574 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

Hello.

 

Back in October, I was on my way into work as normal. Slightly rushed.

 

Hopped onto the train as normal, and as I was almost at London Bridge, an Revenue Protection person came around. I reached into my back pocket where I always keep my rail pass. Unfortunately, my hand came out with some old tickets from the weekend. Was in such a rush in the morning that I forgot that I swapped trousers. My pass was in the other pair :(

 

Anway, I explained this to the lady and she issued me with a Witness Statement thing and said I had 14 days to send them a copy of Rail pass. She asked if I was avoiding the fair. I said no, I already had a pass, but forgot it, and anyway, to get out at my stop I was intending to use a credit card to purchase a ticket to get again.

 

This is where problem one occurs. I signed the form, I only gave it a cursory glance. Stupidly I was expecting her to write down the correct information. On it, it says I was trying to avoid paying the fair. She also never said I could bring it up with the Independant Fine people (or whatever they are called! :) )

 

By the end of the week, I had sent a copy of my rail pass off to their offices in Croydon, to the address I was given. Second problem, I didn't send it registered.

 

I never heard anything again, so thought all was good. I went on vacation and on my return I moved out of my mums house to a flat elsewhere.

 

A week and a bit ago, I went back home to see her and there was a brown envelope. I was being summoned to court and asked to pay £105. This was news to me. I called them up, and they said that they sent me a letter before the summons. I cant remember what it was supposed to have contained, but suffice to say, it never turned up. I asked if they received my letter and they said they didn't.

 

I am being given the option of pleading guilty and not being there, pleading guilty and appearing, or pleading not guilty. The evidence they have against me is circumstantial, admittedly I was stupid to not read properly, but I assumed that what I was telling the woman was being copied down faithfully.

 

I have been taking that train for over two years now, I have a full time job and have never tried to avoid paying a fair!! It is so irritating.

Sorry for the essay.

 

Any ideas on what I should do? Help please!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi and sorry it's taken so long for you to get a reply.

 

Common sense would dictate that you at least have 'mitigating circumstances' but we all know how far common sense goes in a court room.

 

My reply will bump you up to the top of the forum, so hopefully someone who can really help will be along soon.

RMW

"If you want my parking space, please take my disability" Common car park sign in France.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think you will have to plead not guilty and go to court with your pass that you forgot and explain all the circumstances. they cant fine you avoiding payment if you have already payed for a pass! or send a copy to them again, this time registered or fax email a copy to save time. No point in them continuing if they will not get anything.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd advise going to court and showing them the letter you sent and your pass, they really do take liberties sometimes, I know somebody who refused to sign the form as there was nothing written on it, they were told 'I'll fill it in later' they replied 'I'll sign it later'. The police were called and when they turned up they had located their missing pass, shown it to them and asked for the revenue protection person to be reminded of the CORRECT law in signing blank witness statements. Needless to say this didn't make the papers as it could have caused a stir.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe they have to prove you had the intention of avoiding payment. Which you clearly didnt.

Which byelaw are you being summonsed under?

 

I would strongly advise you to send a letter via recorded delivery, stating you forgot your pass.

You did not try to avoid the fare

As requested you sent your valid pass to the relevant people

You did not recieve the last letter from them.

The inspector did not accurately write the statement, correct it.

Offer to pay the £20 penalty fair.

Why did you sign something you didnt read??

Link to post
Share on other sites

Failing to produce ticket or pay fare on request

STARTING POINT Band A fine

RANGE Conditional discharge to band

B fine

 

you would also recieve a criminal record,i would try and sort it out of court and put it down to experience,

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
I believe they have to prove you had the intention of avoiding payment. Which you clearly didnt.

Which byelaw are you being summonsed under?

 

I would strongly advise you to send a letter via recorded delivery, stating you forgot your pass.

You did not try to avoid the fare

As requested you sent your valid pass to the relevant people

You did not recieve the last letter from them.

The inspector did not accurately write the statement, correct it.

Offer to pay the £20 penalty fair.

Why did you sign something you didnt read??

 

I know that this information is obviously given in good faith by Daniel9878, but the key point is wrong.

 

Depending on what you are being charged with, they do NOT need to prove you had the intention of avoiding the fare.

 

If you have been charged with avoiding the fare, that is exactly what it will say on the summons. That will be an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act and in that case they do have to prove the intention was not to pay.

 

If you have been charged with a byelaw offence that is different. The offence is of failing to carry a ticket under the rules in force. Unfortunately they do not need to prove you intended to avoid the fare. All they have to do is show that you were there and did not show a valid ticket when you were checked in line with the rules.

 

If you still have the actual pass you could plead not guilty and go to the court hoping they would see your viewpoint, but that would not stop the court finding you guilty of the offence. They might impose a conditional discharge and no costs, but I would not bet on it.

 

The good advice that you have been given is to try to sort it out of court.

Edited by Old-CodJA
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...

I do have to say you were extemely foolish to sign what amounts to a written confession without reading it.

To be fair, you're not the first person to have dones this and you won't be the last.

The RPI (or equivalent) who questioned you was trained to ask certain questions, if you allow yourself to be 'guided' along this route then sign the record as a true statement at the time, then it is highly likely you will be considered for prosection and succesfully prosecuted.

You MUST go to court, not waffle and produce as much relevant information as possible otherwise that signature will damn you, its your only chance frankly.

 

You may have had no intention of avoiding payment (and I believe that as you had a valid railcard at home) BUT you signed a document saying it WAS your intention of avoiding payment by not carrying it!

 

However as old-codja (excellent advice as always -an ex-rpi I shouldnt wonder?) has pointed out they do not need to even prove this they are simply prosecuting you under 'not producing a valid ticket', a lesser offence if this has any comfort.

 

Im my experience (ex RPI-M FGW) you are going to have to be frightfully lucky to have all charges dropped but they will almost certainly be lesser if you attend and argue your case effectively, this all depends on how much you are paid normally -ie how much taking the day off work will cost.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...