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       #Post#: 118923--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: whiteleggy
       Date: May 17, 2026, 1:18 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       bump!
       #Post#: 118937--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: Dave65
       Date: May 17, 2026, 4:51 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Strange, if you submitted b789`s defence it said the defence
       denies claim.
       #Post#: 118942--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: whiteleggy
       Date: May 17, 2026, 5:04 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: b789 link ---
       >
       > Please show the whole claim form. Only redact the claim
       number, your personal details and MCOL password. We need to see
       the name of the claimant and who is acting for them. However,
       that looks very much like a DCB Legal claim. Also, who has
       signed the claim (on the back of the form).
       >
       > As it is likely a DCB Legal issued claim, with an issue date
       of 23rd October you have until 4pm on Tuesday 11th November to
       submit your defence. If you submit an Acknowledgement of Service
       (AoS) before then, you would then have until 4pm on Tuesday 25th
       November to submit your defence.
       >
       > You only need to submit an AoS if you need extra time to
       prepare your defence. If you want to submit an AoS then follow
       the instructions in this linked PDF:
       >
       >
  HTML https://www.dropbox.com/s/xvqu3bask5m0zir/money-claim-online-How-to-Acknowledge.pdf?dl=0
       >
       > Until very recently, we never advised using the MCOL to submit
       a defence. However, due to recent systemic failures within the
       CNBC, we feel that it is safer to now submit a short defence
       using MCOL as it is instantly submitted and entered into the
       "system". Whilst it will deny the use of some formatting or
       inclusion of transcripts etc. these can always be included with
       the Witness Statement (WS) later, if it ever progresses that
       far.
       >
       > You will need to copy and paste it into the defence text box
       on MCOL. It has been checked to make sure that it will fit into
       the 122 lines limit.
       >
       > [quote]1. The Defendant denies the claim in its entirety. The
       Defendant asserts that there is no liability to the Claimant and
       that no debt is owed. The claim is without merit and does not
       adequately disclose any comprehensible cause of action.
       >
       > 2. There is a lack of precise detail in the Particulars of
       Claim (PoC) in respect of the factual and legal allegations made
       against the Defendant such that the PoC do not adequately comply
       with CPR 16.4.
       >
       > 3. The Defendant is unable to plead properly to the PoC
       because:
       >
       > (a) The contract referred to is not detailed or attached to
       the PoC in accordance with PD 16, para 7.3(1);
       >
       > (b) The PoC do not state the exact wording of the clause (or
       clauses) of the terms and conditions of the contract (or
       contracts) which is/are relied on;
       >
       > (c) The PoC do not adequately set out the reason (or reasons)
       why the claimant asserts the defendant has breached the contract
       (or contracts);
       >
       > (d) The PoC do not state with sufficient particularity exactly
       where the breach occurred, the exact time when the breach
       occurred and how long it is alleged that the vehicle was parked
       before the parking charge was allegedly incurred;
       >
       > (e) The PoC do not state precisely how the sum claimed is
       calculated, including the basis for any statutory interest,
       damages, or other charges;
       >
       > (f) The PoC do not state what proportion of the claim is the
       parking charge and what proportion is damages;
       >
       > (g) The PoC do not provide clarity on whether the Defendant is
       sued as the driver or the keeper of the vehicle, as the claimant
       cannot plead alternative causes of action without specificity.
       >
       > 4. The Defendant submits that courts have previously struck
       out materially similar claims of their own initiative for
       failure to adequately comply with CPR 16.4, particularly where
       the Particulars of Claim failed to specify the contractual terms
       relied upon or explain the alleged breach with sufficient
       clarity.
       >
       > 5. In comparable cases involving modest sums, judges have
       found that requiring further case management steps would be
       disproportionate and contrary to the overriding objective.
       Accordingly, strike-out was deemed appropriate. The Defendant
       submits that the same reasoning applies in this case and invites
       the court to adopt a similar approach by striking out the claim
       due to the Claimant’s failure to adequately comply with CPR
       16.4, rather than permitting an amendment. The Defendant
       proposes that the following Order be made:
       >
       > Draft Order:
       >
       > Of the Court's own initiative and upon reading the particulars
       of claim and the defence.
       >
       > AND the court being of the view that the particulars of claim
       do not adequately comply with CPR 16.4(1)(a) because: (a) they
       do not set out the exact wording of the clause (or clauses) of
       the terms and conditions of the contract which is (or are)
       relied on; and (b) they do not adequately set out the reason (or
       reasons) why the claimant asserts that the defendant was in
       breach of contract.
       >
       > AND the claimant could have complied with CPR 16.4(1)(a) had
       it served separate detailed particulars of claim, as it could
       have done pursuant to PD 7C, para 5.2, but chose not to do so.
       >
       > AND upon the Court determining, having regard to the
       overriding objective (CPR 1.1), that it would be
       disproportionate to direct further pleadings or to allot any
       further share of the Court’s resources to this claim (for
       example by ordering further particulars of claim and a further
       defence, with consequent case management).
       >
       > ORDER:
       >
       > 1. The claim is struck out.
       >
       > 2. Permission to either party to apply to set aside, vary or
       stay this order by application on notice, which must be filed at
       this Court not more than 7 days after service of this order,
       failing which no such application may be made.
       --- End Quote ---
       This will never reach a hearing if it is a DCB Legal issued
       claim.
       [/quote]
       Yeah this is the defence I submitted and it literally says in
       the first line "The Defendant denies the claim in its entirety".
       I'm not sure if I should pushback and re-iterate my current
       defence (probably a bad idea, given the judge clearly doesn't
       like it)
       Or I should change my defence and tackle the main facts of my
       point being:
       The vehicle was not parked — it was stationary for 1 minute 25
       seconds while actively unloading Amazon Flex deliveries
       A contract by conduct cannot be formed in under 5 minutes
       (BPA/IPC Code of Practice minimum consideration period)
       I have evidence: the app showing delivered at 18:54, Google Maps
       timeline, the delivery address matching the location
       The signage contained no prohibition on unloading
       Not sure if I should accept to a paper disposal either, guidance
       appreciated but if there's no advice I may just accept it,
       change my defence and hope for the best, perhaps I should've
       paid the £100 mediation settlement figure after all, arghhhh!
       #Post#: 119047--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: whiteleggy
       Date: May 18, 2026, 7:21 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Here is my proposed amended defence
       AMENDED DEFENCE
       IN THE COUNTY COURT AT MANCHESTER
       Claim No: [XXXX]
       BETWEEN:
       NATIONAL PARKING CONTROL GROUP LIMITED (Claimant)
       — and —
       [YOUR NAME] (Defendant)
       1. The Defendant denies the claim in its entirety. The Defendant
       asserts that there is no liability to the Claimant and that no
       debt is owed. The claim is without merit and does not adequately
       disclose any comprehensible cause of action.
       1. The Defendant is the registered keeper of vehicle
       registration [XXX] and was the driver at the material time. The
       claim is denied in its entirety for the reasons set out below.
       2. There is a lack of precise detail in the Particulars of Claim
       (PoC) in respect of the factual and legal allegations made
       against the Defendant such that the PoC do not adequately comply
       with CPR 16.4.
       3. The Defendant is unable to plead properly to the PoC because:
       (a) The contract referred to is not detailed or attached to the
       PoC in accordance with PD 16, para 7.3(1);
       (b) The PoC do not state the exact wording of the clause (or
       clauses) of the terms and conditions of the contract (or
       contracts) which is/are relied on;
       (c) The PoC do not adequately set out the reason (or reasons)
       why the claimant asserts the defendant has breached the contract
       (or contracts);
       (d) The PoC do not state with sufficient particularity exactly
       where the breach occurred, the exact time when the breach
       occurred and how long it is alleged that the vehicle was parked
       before the parking charge was allegedly incurred;
       (e) The PoC do not state precisely how the sum claimed is
       calculated, including the basis for any statutory interest,
       damages, or other charges;
       (f) The PoC do not state what proportion of the claim is the
       parking charge and what proportion is damages;
       (g) The PoC do not provide clarity on whether the Defendant is
       sued as the driver or the keeper of the vehicle, as the claimant
       cannot plead alternative causes of action without specificity.
       4. The Defendant submits that courts have previously struck out
       materially similar claims of their own initiative for failure to
       adequately comply with CPR 16.4, particularly where the
       Particulars of Claim failed to specify the contractual terms
       relied upon or explain the alleged breach with sufficient
       clarity.
       5. In comparable cases involving modest sums, judges have found
       that requiring further case management steps would be
       disproportionate and contrary to the overriding objective.
       Accordingly, strike-out was deemed appropriate. The Defendant
       submits that the same reasoning applies in this case and invites
       the court to adopt a similar approach by striking out the claim
       due to the Claimant's failure to adequately comply with CPR
       16.4, rather than permitting an amendment.
       2. It is denied that the vehicle was "parked in an area where
       parking is prohibited" as alleged. The Claimant's own evidence
       shows the vehicle was stationary at the location for 1 minute
       and 25 seconds only (18:53:47 to 18:55:12). The Defendant's
       version of events, pursuant to CPR 16.5(2)(b), is as follows.
       3. At the material time the Defendant was working as a
       self-employed delivery driver under contract to Amazon Logistics
       UK Limited (trading as Amazon Flex), undertaking deliveries on a
       pre-allocated delivery block.
       4. The vehicle was momentarily stopped for the sole purpose of
       unloading parcels and delivering them on foot to residents of
       the apartment building at the location. A delivery to that very
       building is recorded in the Amazon Flex application as completed
       at 18:54, falling squarely within the 1 minute 25 second window
       relied upon by the Claimant.
       5. The Defendant denies that the act of momentarily stopping a
       delivery vehicle to unload constitutes "parking." The Defendant
       will rely on the County Court appeal decision of His Honour
       Judge Charles Harris QC in Jopson v Homeguard Services Ltd
       [2016] B9GF0A9E, in which it was held that brief stopping for
       the purpose of unloading is not "parking" in the ordinary sense
       and does not engage parking restrictions of this kind. While
       Jopson concerned a resident's right to unload, the underlying
       principle — that loading/unloading is functionally and legally
       distinct from parking — applies with equal force to a delivery
       driver lawfully unloading goods at the same destination.
       6. Further or alternatively, it is denied that any contract was
       formed between the Defendant and the Claimant. A contract by
       conduct in these circumstances requires a reasonable
       consideration period during which a driver may locate, read and
       decide whether to accept the terms of the signage. The
       International Parking Community Code of Practice (in force at
       the material time) and the Private Parking Single Code of
       Practice (in force from 1 October 2024) each prescribe a minimum
       5-minute consideration period. A stop of 1 minute 25 seconds
       falls well below that threshold, and the Claimant has adduced no
       evidence capable of establishing acceptance of any contractual
       terms.
       7. In any event, the signage relied upon by the Claimant makes
       no reference to a prohibition on unloading, loading or stopping
       for the purposes of delivery. The Defendant denies that any
       reasonable driver in his position would have understood the
       signage to prohibit the brief stop in question.
       8. To the extent the sum claimed exceeds the original parking
       charge, any additional "debt recovery", "administration" or like
       costs are denied. Such add-on sums are not recoverable, being
       either an abuse of process or already subsumed within the
       parking charge per the reasoning of the Supreme Court in
       ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67.
       9. It is denied that the sum claimed, or any sum, is due. The
       Defendant puts the Claimant to strict proof of: (a) the
       contractual terms relied upon; (b) the formation of any contract
       with the Defendant; (c) the alleged breach; and (d) the basis on
       which the sum claimed has been calculated, including any element
       of damages and any entitlement to interest.
       Statement of Truth
       I believe that the facts stated in this Amended Defence 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.
       Signed: ……………………………
       [YOUR NAME], Defendant
       Date: ……………………………
       "
       I've been asked today to call DCBLegal, even though we've had
       mediation they want to propose a settlement it seems, I'm
       seriously considering going ahead, unless anyone here thinks
       it's a bad idea?
       #Post#: 119048--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: jfollows
       Date: May 18, 2026, 7:30 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       If you want to pay £0, it’s a bad idea.
       DCB Legal will usually discontinue if you stay the course, but
       it depends on how much cost you want to attribute to your time
       and effort in doing so.
       We give you time and effort for free to help you.
       #Post#: 119053--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: whiteleggy
       Date: May 18, 2026, 7:44 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: jfollows link ---
       >
       > If you want to pay £0, it’s a bad idea.
       >
       > DCB Legal will usually discontinue if you stay the course, but
       it depends on how much cost you want to attribute to your time
       and effort in doing so.
       >
       > We give you time and effort for free to help you.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Judge Iyer's comments made me feel like I'd veered of course and
       messed up with the original defence, am I still on the right
       lines by accepting paper disposal and submitting a new defence?
       It seems I don't need an N244 as Judge Iyer has proposed it
       himself?
       Any thoughts on my proposed defence?
       #Post#: 119055--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: DWMB2
       Date: May 18, 2026, 7:55 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: whiteleggy link ---
       >
       > It seems I don't need an N244 as Judge Iyer has proposed it
       himself?
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       His order states:
       [indent]If the Defendant wishes to amend his Defence, he must
       make an application by 27 May 2026[/indent]
       This would tend to suggest form N244 would be required. You
       could always try without such an application (with the potential
       risk of p*ssing off the judge), or seek to rescue the matter at
       the Witness Statement stage.
       --- Quote ---
       > DCB Legal will usually discontinue if you stay the course
       --- End Quote ---
       If the matter is heard on the papers, there'd be no real
       incentive to discontinue. You could push for an in-person
       hearing but you'd seemingly need to provide a compelling reason
       to change Iyer's mind.
       #Post#: 119056--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: jfollows
       Date: May 18, 2026, 8:08 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Good point, thanks. I’d forgotten the point about a hearing on
       paper rather than in person.
       #Post#: 119057--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: whiteleggy
       Date: May 18, 2026, 8:17 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: DWMB2 link ---
       >
       > [quote author=whiteleggy link=topic=6871.msg119053#msg119053
       date=1779108243]
       > It seems I don't need an N244 as Judge Iyer has proposed it
       himself?
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       His order states:
       [indent]If the Defendant wishes to amend his Defence, he must
       make an application by 27 May 2026[/indent]
       This would tend to suggest form N244 would be required. You
       could always try without such an application (with the potential
       risk of p*ssing off the judge), or seek to rescue the matter at
       the Witness Statement stage.
       --- Quote ---
       > DCB Legal will usually discontinue if you stay the course
       --- End Quote ---
       If the matter is heard on the papers, there'd be no real
       incentive to discontinue. You could push for an in-person
       hearing but you'd seemingly need to provide a compelling reason
       to change Iyer's mind.
       [/quote]
       Thanks DWMB2 that's really helpful. Given DCB Legal have no
       incentive to discontinue at a paper disposal, am I better off
       pushing for an in-person hearing despite the judge's apparent
       reluctance? Paragraph 6 of the order leaves the door open:
       "While it may be reasonable to request a hearing to provide oral
       submissions to the court..." Could I argue that I wish to give
       oral evidence as the only witness to the events in question
       (i.e. whether the vehicle was being unloaded or parked), since
       that is a contested factual issue and not just a legal point
       that can be decided on papers? Would that be a "compelling
       reason" to change DJ Iyer's mind
       N244 form comes with fees, at this point I've got no choice
       really other than to fork up to change my defence, or plead at
       witness stage I am not eligible for help with the fees. £303
       #Post#: 119058--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Amazon Flex Driver "Parking" Charge but I was
       un-loading and have *some* evidence?
   DIR By: whiteleggy
       Date: May 18, 2026, 8:28 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       by way of a somewhat (sad) update, I called and have paid £20 to
       settle the matter, I won't say how here, but I may (for
       arguments sake, or may not) seek my own form of revenge which
       will cost them well in excess of the £20 I paid, in fact, it
       will likely stop them issuing further fines for a considerable
       period of repeatable times. I'll get my moneys worth one way or
       another and relish in the excitement of it!
       thanks for all the help, regardless I have saved a considerable
       amount relative to what I would've paid if it was not for this
       forum.
       The stress and time was not worth more than £20
       From a principle perspective, I've got that part covered, I'll
       come out on top.
       *****************************************************
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