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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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    • 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.

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      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.

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Using a ticket by 'mistake' amounts to a defence against the charge of 'intending that the fare be avoided'. (Section 5,3,a Regulation of Railways Act 1889)

 

The problem is whether the evidence 'proves' that it was not a mistake.

 

All 'early guilty pleas' result in a reduction in the sentence, normally a third off.

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I assume that if they issue a court summons they are satisfied the evidence shows it was intentional.

 

What I mean is, if the offender pleads guilty at the hearing, will the judge ask why they claimed it was a mistake earlier?

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Rail fare evasion are 'summary only' offences, and therefore are heard in a Magistrates Court in front of Magistrates, or sometimes a District Judge. (You may hear Court staff talking about a 'DJ', who most certainly will not have twin decks and scratch crucial sounds)

 

Letters to the 'prosecutor' are not normally read to the Court in the event of a guilty plea. Letters to 'the Court' might be. (Note the words 'normally' and 'might')

 

As such, I expect that if you plead guilty to the Court, they will not get to see any of the correspondence that went between you and the railway. Unless you mention it in your letter to the Court. Many times, I have heard 'defendants' say all sorts of interesting stuff about 'I wrote to them, but they took no notice'. Magistrates may well, then, ask the prosecutor about the correspondence.

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Thanks for the advice. Is it worth getting a solicitor to try and settle? Two said they can do it easily and have done in the past, but one said it will only get them 'excited' and make the matter worse (all local btw)!

There seem to be conflicting views on this forum about admitting guilt to the prosecution. Is it one of the requirements for a settlement or does it make it easier for them to prosecute?

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The one certainty is that a solicitor will cost you money.

 

I sugges that you rootle around and find Old Codja's draft letter. I do not advocate admitting guilt, but certainly show that you will be careful in future, offer to pay 'reasonable costs'.

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As a generalisation I would say YES

 

The fact that you have turned out allows for a number of considerations

 

1. You may (if you wish) try a last ditch, face to face request of the prosecutor to accept an alternative disposal. (Out of Court settlement or discontinuation.)

 

2. The Magistrates will be in no doubt that you have taken things seriously, that you have recognised the authority of the Court and whether pleading guilty or not, will take note of that

 

3. If you are pleading guilty with mitigation, you can be questioned by the Bench and MAY benefit by being able to put your explanation yourself rather than relying on someone else reading your words without expression.

 

.

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Don't get confused with 'cautions'. There is the 'caution' that an officer/inspector/investigator is required to give to warn a potential defendant that the questions and answers that are about to happen are going to form part of 'evidence', and then there is the 'Caution' administerd by 'police' to close a case without it going to Court. Such cautions are normally done by officers of Inspector rank, at a Police station, long after the event, and after a decision has been made regarding suitable disposal of the case.

 

Folk are correct to point out that there is no need for prosecution to prove 'mens rea' (guilty mind, or guilty intent depending what school you went to) in a byelaw offence. However, drunkenness as a defence or a mitigation is often 'iffy', it can make the Court see the offence as 'worse', it might not, hence my suggestion for taking advice from a 'local' man.

 

CPS have processes to go through before deciding whether a case is 'in the public interest'. However, there will always be parts of a case which will only seem clear to the prosecutor that made the decision. It may even be that the 'location' has particular problems, and there was pressure for the matter to go to court. We can all speculate, truth is, 'we' don't know.

 

 

Appreicate your advice Wriggler

 

have not been on here as have been trying to relax about it all was getting very uptight

 

My letter is sent in which I have advised that I have had a drink and been dieing for a wee on the tube, then in a moment of madness I have done the deed. I have apolgised to all involved and mentioned how embarassed I am and that I am of previous good character. I have asked that 'due to work commitments' could this pls be dealt with in my absence.

 

I have spoken to the British transport Police and they advise that these issues are normally dealt with in my absence but I am not sure how much I can trust that advice , after all they are the prosecution she seemsed a genuine woman though.

 

I ahve been generally advised that these things can depend a lot on the 'mood' of the magistrate at the time.

 

If I go it may cause issues at work in that they may need to know why I am going and in that I am covering for others at the moment so will not go down well (what I am saying is my reasosn for not going are legitimate)

 

I have not spoken to a local man as cant find a decent affordable one to be honest. One option iof I go is to consult the suty solicator although not sure what advice he can give me on the day ?

 

Am I going abut this the right way guys I sure hope so

 

also so the mag does want to see me what will happen I will be summons ata later date ? and is it likely this will end up costing me more?

 

very confused and just want this over with

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it was actually wall in ladies toilet so admittedly not nice at all

 

see my reply to wriggler sorry for reposting..

 

Appreicate your advice Wriggler

 

have not been on here as have been trying to relax about it all was getting very uptight

 

My letter is sent in which I have advised that I have had a drink and been dieing for a wee on the tube, then in a moment of madness I have done the deed. I have apolgised to all involved and mentioned how embarassed I am and that I am of previous good character. I have asked that 'due to work commitments' could this pls be dealt with in my absence.

 

I have spoken to the British transport Police and they advise that these issues are normally dealt with in my absence but I am not sure how much I can trust that advice , after all they are the prosecution she seemsed a genuine woman though.

 

I ahve been generally advised that these things can depend a lot on the 'mood' of the magistrate at the time.

 

If I go it may cause issues at work in that they may need to know why I am going and in that I am covering for others at the moment so will not go down well (what I am saying is my reasosn for not going are legitimate)

 

I have not spoken to a local man as cant find a decent affordable one to be honest. One option iof I go is to consult the suty solicator although not sure what advice he can give me on the day ?

 

Am I going abut this the right way guys I sure hope so

 

also so the mag does want to see me what will happen I will be summons ata later date ? and is it likely this will end up costing me more?

 

very confused and just want this over with

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As a generalisation I would say YES

 

The fact that you have turned out allows for a number of considerations

 

1. You may (if you wish) try a last ditch, face to face request of the prosecutor to accept an alternative disposal. (Out of Court settlement or discontinuation.)

 

2. The Magistrates will be in no doubt that you have taken things seriously, that you have recognised the authority of the Court and whether pleading guilty or not, will take note of that

 

3. If you are pleading guilty with mitigation, you can be questioned by the Bench and MAY benefit by being able to put your explanation yourself rather than relying on someone else reading your words without expression.

 

.

 

 

Old Codja I have already sent my letter re my breach of byelaw, but am now thinking of somehow showing up anyway , if I can get the time off.

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The majority of cases like this are dealt with in the absence of the defendant.

 

Duty solicitor is likely to refuse to advise you, the 'scheme' does not cover 'minor' matters.

 

The 'mood' of the Magistrates does make a difference, but they have sentencing guidelines, and their 'mood' is much less influential than it was 30 years ago.

 

From your general tone, I think if you go along, the Court will see your contrition and embarrassment. It is possible that they might award a discharge, conditional or absolute, but nothing is ever certain until the Bench announce verdict and sentence.

 

Trust me, it will not be the worst case before them on the day. Nobody died, there is no huge financial implication. It is commendable that you are embarrassed, but please keep some perspective!

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'It is possible that they might award a discharge, conditional or absolute, but nothing is ever certain until the Bench announce verdict and sentence'

 

Even though I plead guilty I may not be found so? Please explain how and why a conditional/absoulte discharge may be awarded and the implications of such a thing.

 

Also am I obliged to speak before sentencing? and is there anything I can plead I may not be aware if.

 

A part of me is relaxed but another part of me is thinking ' what a silly bu**er' to get yourself into such a situaution

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If you attend the hearing you can ask the bench to consider giving you a conditional discharge instead of a fine due to your previous good charactor , contrition & embarrassment.

If you do not attend they can only impose a fine.

You will be guided by the legal advisor on the order things happen, they will be sympathetic to you if you are unrepresented.

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If you attend the hearing you can ask the bench to consider giving you a conditional discharge instead of a fine due to your previous good charactor , contrition & embarrassment.

If you do not attend they can only impose a fine.

You will be guided by the legal advisor on the order things happen, they will be sympathetic to you if you are unrepresented.

 

Can you please advise what a conditional discharge actually constitutes, what form would it take.

 

What in effect it means

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It means that the Court file would show that you pleaded guilty / were convicted of the offence, but were not punished at the time other than being required not to offend again within the next 12 months or time specified.

 

If you were to offend again during the time specified by the Court and were convicted of an offence, you could then be punished both for the new offence and the original one.

 

If given a conditional discharge you might still be ordered to pay something toward the prosecution costs, but that would be wholly at the discretion of the Court.

 

My feelings were summed up by this quote from Wriggler7:

 

"From your general tone, I think if you go along, the Court will see your contrition and embarrassment. It is possible that they might award a discharge, conditional or absolute, but nothing is ever certain until the Bench announce verdict and sentence."

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ah so a discharge is still a conviction, so the only real benefit is in my wallet

 

Yes it is, however any potential employer will look more favourably at a ConDis than a fine as its considered to be a lesser punishment.

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Yes it is, however any potential employer will look more favourably at a ConDis than a fine as its considered to be a lesser punishment.

 

I am reliably advised by more than one source that this breach of bye law is non recordable, fingers crossed whatever happens my job and future job prospects are not effected

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I am reliably advised by more than one source that this breach of bye law is non recordable, fingers crossed whatever happens my job and future job prospects are not effected

 

Byelaws are non-recordable, however if you are asked if you have any convictions you must declare them or face dismissal for gross misconduct or even prosecution. (Check the Rehabilitation Of Offenders Act for qualifying time scale).

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1. You may (if you wish) try a last ditch, face to face request of the prosecutor to accept an alternative disposal. (Out of Court settlement or discontinuation.)

 

.

 

How can you do that? Do you get to see the prosecutor before the hearing? Also do you present the mitigation before or after pleading?

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How can you do that? Do you get to see the prosecutor before the hearing? Also do you present the mitigation before or after pleading?

 

Yes, in the Magistrates Court if you ask to speak to the prosecutor before your case is called on you will get a chance to do so

 

He or she may not be able to agree an alternative disposal, but sometimes, according to individual circumstances, may be able to.

 

.

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Yes, in the Magistrates Court if you ask to speak to the prosecutor before your case is called on you will get a chance to do so

 

He or she may not be able to agree an alternative disposal, but sometimes, according to individual circumstances, may be able to.

 

.

 

 

would my circumstances allow such a request Old-Cadja from what I have revealed? i have been wondering what would have happened if I had contacted the BTP straight after the incident in that would it have gone as far as court.

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would my circumstances allow such a request Old-Cadja from what I have revealed? i have been wondering what would have happened if I had contacted the BTP straight after the incident in that would it have gone as far as court.

 

Any defendant in any case of a summary offence of this type listed for hearing at a Magistrates Court can ask the prosecutor that question.

 

The worst he or she can say is 'No' and you are exactly where you were when you walked in the door.

 

.

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Any defendant in any case of a summary offence of this type listed for hearing at a Magistrates Court can ask the prosecutor that question.

 

The worst he or she can say is 'No' and you are exactly where you were when you walked in the door.

 

.

 

 

interesting

 

and this would not show on any court record I take it?

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