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

council tax arrears now LO / housing benefit help please


stuggling
style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 3397 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

in July my housing benefit was stopped as i received child care element of tax credits, due to being a carer for my son.

 

The council said i was not entitled to this child care element and to pay my full rent,

 

 

i got my local MP involved and

 

 

he did a great job

 

 

just this week my housing benefit has been reinstated and payment made to landlord, but

 

 

i fell in arrears on council tax as i had to use the money i used to pay council tax to pay rent,

 

 

i explained this to the council and explained when the housing benefit was reinstated i would be able to catch up in my council tax.

 

They did not like this and are now taking me to court for full amount even though I'm only 2 months behind

(well now 1 month as i have paid the other and the oner will be paid before court date) but they dont care they said they still taking it court as no matter i should have not fell into arrears on it, I explained the situation and she said well you shouldn't have paid for childcare!

I'm outraged as it was essential for my son to be in there to maintain his routine ready to start school,

but she said that doesn't matter and that it still going to court and

 

 

now i owe an extra £49.50 for court fees and another £15 for the order!

Link to post
Share on other sites

No not till October 31st and I can't attend to defend as I'm away on holiday (booked by family last year as a Christmas present) they sent out a payment plan normally monthly payments but with the added costs

Link to post
Share on other sites

ok, you have a date.

as has been seen in c'tax threads, there is not much opportunity to 'defend' even if attending. is just a 'rubberstamp' exercise.

 

maybe put in a formal complaint (higher up) to the council, get them to put things on hold/postpone the LO 'formality' whilst investigating.

 

get yr MP involved again

 

bump for further input.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Pity you could not attend court and question the validity of "court costs" as has been happening elsewhere in the country recently. Have a look at the last few posts on this thread: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?413648-Reverend-Paul-Nicolson-has-local-authorities-really-worried-as-he-is-quot-willfully-refusing-quot-to-pay-his-council-tax-!!!/page11

 

Hopefully your MP can influence the council and get them to withdraw the LO application - If you can clear the arrears before the end of the month, one could speculate that issuing a summons is nothing more than a money making exercise on the part of the council.

PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP THIS SITE RUNNING

EVERY POUND DONATED WILL HELP US TO KEEP HELPING OTHERS

 

 

No... you can't eat my brain just yet. I need it a little while longer.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I know, it would mean leaving 3 days early, I'm fuming it already took me a battle with them for housing benefit.

 

I paid arrears today and will even have next months installment paid before court date, can I write to the court telling them the situation what was 121 PCM is now 176 PCM a huge increase! I've asked for a breakdown and the say it court cost and fees

Link to post
Share on other sites

.....question the validity of "court costs" as has been happening elsewhere in the country recently. Have a look at the last few posts on this thread: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?413648-Reverend-Paul-Nicolson-has-local-authorities-really-worried-as-he-is-quot-willfully-refusing-quot-to-pay-his-council-tax-!!!/page11

 

....

 

 

cheers, hadnt seen that.

there is also dudes thread where says #80 got costs off post hearing http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?423547-My-council-tax-summons../page4

Link to post
Share on other sites

had the visit and a letter was sent to council with regards to the bill, shocking today I had a call from council saying it was still going to court as i had been in arrears for 2 months so they have every right to demand the full years payment, as paying monthly is at there discretion. They said if i pay full amount by monday they wouldnt take to court, I told them no i can not afford to pay it, and that i had clear the arrears and was now a month in advance, but she still said nope.

 

I have contacted MP and told him, but he said they have had a few cases like this recently and unfortunately unable to pursue further, he said he will write to them again and ask for assistance. as it has been proven they owe me 2 months worth of housing benefit and council tax benefit amounting to £280, this was done with one of there advisors who told me this and wrote it down, but she said it would be up to a manager to get this sorted as it will be at there discretion to sort the back payment.

 

Ive decided to write a letter to the courts, stating that i have now clear the arrears and I'm now a month in advance and that i will be able to maintain the rest of the monthly payments, and i ve stated the reasons why i have missed the last 2 months and providing evidence

Link to post
Share on other sites

not sure what writing to the court as such wld do? if council lists it for LO then it seems is, unfortunately, just 'rubberstamped', costs issue aside. partic if you wont be there. see the c'tax threads.

have you made a formal complaint to the council as well as mp writing. that shld escalate it and get it ftao someone higher up than the 'clerk/advisor.'

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

well they got the liability order, and now I'm having to pay £176 a month not impressed as now it puts us in more finical hardship! they still haven't sorted the housing benefit out so even then we may be entitled to a reduction in council tax but nope they not interested.

 

Im waiting for a response from the formal complaint i put in

Link to post
Share on other sites

even the civil courts have 'recognised' that LO's at the mags are just a rubber stamp exercise.

the council has the power/authority to change things thereafter, so keep at it.

Link to post
Share on other sites

i wanna cry over it! I'm going into the offices tomorrow over it all, turns out we should have a reduction of £65 of bill due to benefit, but they say that will only over court cost and fee! Ive asked for a tribunal over the housing and council tax benefits now, hopefully they will help

Link to post
Share on other sites

if you are appealing about HB decision, you need to do through the Council, who will review case to if they can to change decision to your favour.

If they cant, the Council will send your papers to HM Courts and Tribunals Service

 

There are different rules for Council Tax support, you first need to lodge a dispute with Council.

They have 2 months to respond to you.

Once you get the response, you then have 2 months to appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal.

If you have found my post useful, please click on the star at the bottom of my post and add some reputation points.

Link to post
Share on other sites

rubbish, sorry but they dont care. Im now going to a tribunal over it all just waiting for a date. Im gonna bring this up with them as i had to pay £176 this week alone to them for the ct and they wrote to me saying if i dont pay by the 7th of each month they will enforce the libablity order with out notice

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

good luck with the hearing stuggling. let thread know how you get on. post up for any help.

note that councils can amend LO's post.

could try get them to 'suspend' things subject to the investigation/tribunal.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Unfortunately the CT rules were written in a very very draconian one sided way, if the councils DON'T collect x amount they are fined heavily, so they are 'protecting their assets'.

 

I wonder what UKIPs policy on changing the CT rules will be,

 

a) Make them simpler - ie NO fining of councils and NO Liabilities to be issued in the current financial year. LOs only to be issued 3 months after the end of the Financial year....

Link to post
Share on other sites

Just in case you don't read my post, I had my court costs cancelled twice! This last time was because despite telling them I could not pay the amount they requested, they insisted I did. However at no time over many emails, did anyone tell me I could have paid over 12 months instead of 10. If they had, there wouldn't have been a problem. The woman I spoke to cancelled it over the phone straightaway. If this is the case with you, they should be made to explain themselves.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

hi just an update I've only just got the papers for the tribunal, over the housing benefit and council tax benefit, it turns out that I'm owed 416 by them for my landlord as they have been underpaying since june when the tax credits changed but they had not noticed, even though the papers say i told them and handed in documents showing this. they have told me that they have suspended the payments so i called and they said oh it was an error so sorry we will issue a payment to landlord on next payment date, I'm fuming as it put me in arrears with landlord by 3 months!

Link to post
Share on other sites

cheers for updating.

looking like then is their fault. a ground for them taking back the LO?

keep thread informed, and good luck.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...