Received a county court claim?
If a parking company has issued a court claim against you, you are the defendant and you must respond yourself, on time. This page explains what happens next and where to get help.
Do not ignore a claim form
If you do not respond in time, the parking company can ask the court for judgment in default, without a hearing. A county court judgment that is not paid in full within one month is usually entered on the public register, which can affect your ability to get credit. Check the dates on the papers today.
What the papers are
A county court claim starts with a claim form, which names the parking company as the claimant and you as the defendant. It includes, or says it will be followed by, particulars of claim setting out what the company says you owe and why. A response pack comes with it, containing the forms for admitting the claim, defending it, or acknowledging service.
Before issuing a claim against an individual, a business is expected to follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. That usually means a letter of claim, with an information sheet and a reply form, and 30 days to reply. If you have received a letter of claim but no court papers yet, use the reply form and send it within the time allowed.
The time limits
The general rules are in the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). They are summarised below. The dates on your own papers and the court's guidance are the ones to follow, and if in doubt, act early.
| Step | General rule | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| When the claim form is treated as served | On the second business day after it was posted, or after the other step taken to serve it | CPR 6.14 |
| Acknowledgment of service | Within 14 days after service of the claim form, or of the particulars of claim if they were served later | CPR 10.3 |
| Defence | Within 14 days after service of the particulars of claim, or 28 days if you have filed an acknowledgment of service | CPR 15.4 |
| Extending the time for a defence | The parties can agree up to 28 more days. The defendant must tell the court in writing. | CPR 15.5 |
Claims for £10,000 or less are normally allocated to the small claims track, which is designed for people who represent themselves. The court may refer the parties to its mediation service, and a hearing, if one is needed, is usually short and informal.
Where to get help
- Citizens Advice gives free, independent advice, including on court claims and parking charges.
- The court's own guidance on responding to a money claim explains the forms and the online service.
- The Law Society's Find a Solicitor service lists solicitors who can advise on, or take over, your defence.
- If you have legal expenses insurance, for example as part of a home or motor policy, it may cover advice.
What we do
- Explain the claim, the stages and the time limits in plain terms
- Help you understand each form and what it asks for
- Go through the parking company's paperwork with you: the notices, signs, photos and dates
- Speak for you at a small-claims hearing as a lay representative, but only if you attend
- Tell you when you need a solicitor and how to find one
What we do not do
- Conduct the case for you or manage it
- Complete, sign, file or send your defence or any other court document
- Write to the court, or to the claimant or its solicitors about the claim, on your behalf
- Accept service of court papers
- Speak for you if you do not attend, after judgment, or on an appeal
Why we draw the line here
Conducting litigation is a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007. Only authorised persons, such as solicitors, may carry it on for someone else. In Baxter v Doble [2023] EWHC 486 (KB), the High Court held that an unregulated adviser who prepared court documents, corresponded with the other side and managed a case had been conducting litigation, even though she was never named on the court record.
Speaking at a small-claims hearing is different. The Lay Representatives (Rights of Audience) Order 1999 and Practice Direction 27 allow a lay representative to speak for a party at a small-claims hearing, provided the party attends. The court can also choose to hear a lay representative in other circumstances. A company that is a party can be represented by one of its own officers or employees.
Common questions
Can you write my defence?
No. The defence is your document: you decide what it says, you sign the statement of truth, and you file it. We can explain what a defence is for, what the particulars of claim say, and how the paperwork from the original charge relates to them. If you want someone to prepare and run your defence, you need a solicitor.
What is a lay representative?
A person who is not a solicitor or barrister but who may speak for a party at a small-claims hearing, as long as the party is there too. A lay representative cannot act for you after judgment or on an appeal.
The claim is for more than the original charge. Why?
Claims often add sums for debt recovery, interest and the court fee to the original charge. Whether any of those extra sums can be recovered is for the court to decide in each case.
Can I still settle?
Yes. You can try to settle with the claimant at any stage. Until the claim is formally withdrawn or the court makes an order, the deadlines on the papers still apply. Keep a copy of anything you agree.
I appealed the original charge with your help. Can you carry on?
Only within the limits on this page. We can explain where the claim fits with the earlier appeal and, if you attend, speak for you at a small-claims hearing. The court case itself is yours to run.
Our status
Appeal Specialists is an independent consultancy, not a law firm. We are not solicitors or barristers and we are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or any other legal regulator, so you cannot complain about us to the Legal Ombudsman.
We provide non-reserved legal services only. We do not conduct litigation, file or serve court documents, or accept service of court documents for you. Where the law allows, we can speak for you at a small-claims hearing or a tribunal, but only with your agreement and, at small-claims hearings, only if you attend.
What you tell us is not protected by legal professional privilege. We never hold your money. We work on matters in England and Wales only. We do not guarantee any outcome.
All correspondence by email
We deal with everything in writing, so every point and every deadline is on the record. If you are replying to a letter from us, please quote our reference.