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#Post#: 96702--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: helenwhite00 Date: November 3, 2025, 5:05 pm
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So today I received the following email from
bulklitigation@dcblegal.co.uk:
Good Morning
Having reviewed the content of your defence, we write to inform
you that our client intends to proceed with the claim.
In due course, the Court will direct both parties to each file a
directions questionnaire. In preparation for that, please find
attached a copy of the Claimant's, which we confirm has been
filed with the Court.
Without Prejudice to the above, in order to assist the Court in
achieving its overriding objective, our client may be prepared
to settle this case - in the event you wish to discuss
settlement, please call us on 0203 434 0433 within 7 days and
make immediate reference to this correspondence.
If you have provided an email address within your Defence, we
intend to use it for service of documents (usually in PDF
format) hereon in pursuant to PD 6A (4.1)(2)(c). Please advise
whether there are any limitations to this (for example, the
format in which documents are to be sent and the maximum size of
attachments that may be received). Unless you advise otherwise,
we will assume not.
Kind Regards,
Litigation Support
DCB Legal Ltd
#Post#: 96705--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: helenwhite00 Date: November 3, 2025, 5:16 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
And link to questionnaire DCB legal attached:
HTML https://helen-white.imgbb.com/
Looks from that DCB Legal either want moderation or for a judge
to rule on submitted evidence without an in person hearing.
They also have not responded at all to the email I sent re.
Sarah Ensall having signed as an unauthorised person.
Hence if you could advise again on next steps…?
#Post#: 96710--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: b789 Date: November 3, 2025, 5:51 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Stop trying to read something into their N180 that isn' there.
It is all normal and you will be filing your own.
When you receive your own N180 or your MCOL history shows yours
has been sent, just follow this advice:
Having received your own N180 (make sure it is not simply a copy
of the claimants N180) or been notified on MCOL that yours has
been sent, do not use the paper form. Ignore all the other forms
that came with it. you can discard those. Download your own N180
DQ here and fill it in on your computer. You sign it by simply
typing your full name in the signature box.
HTML https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673341e779e9143625613543/N180_1124.pdf
Here are the answers to some of the less obvious questions:
[indent]• The name of the court is "Civil National Business
Centre".
• To be completed by "Your full name" and you are the
"Defendant".
• C1: "YES"
• D1: "NO". Reason: "I wish to question the Claimant about their
evidence at a hearing in person and to expose omissions and any
misleading or incorrect evidence or assertions.
Given the Claimant is a firm who complete cut & paste parking
case paperwork for a living, having this case heard solely on
papers would appear to put the Claimant at an unfair advantage,
especially as they would no doubt prefer the Defendant not to
have the opportunity to expose the issues in the Claimants
template submissions or speak as the only true witness to events
in question.."
• F1: Whichever is your nearest county court. Use this to find
it:
HTML https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/search-option
• F3: "1".
• Sign the form by simply typing your full name for the
signature.[/indent]
When you have completed the form, attach it to a single email
addressed to both dq.cnbc[member=6517]justice[/member].gov.uk
and info@dcblegal.co.uk and CC in yourself. Make sure that the
claim number is in the subject field of the email.
As DCB Legal have not responded to the email, send the following
chaser and let us know if they do not respond within 7 days:
[quote]Subject: Claim [claim number] – Non-response to 28
September correspondence
Dear Sir/Madam,
I wrote to you on 28 September 2025 regarding the N1SDT Claim
Form signed “Sarah Ensall – Head of Legal”, requesting
confirmation of her authorisation or exemption under the Legal
Services Act 2007 to conduct litigation.
You have failed to respond within the seven-day period
specified. Please treat this as a formal reminder. Unless a full
written response is received within three working days, I will
place both emails before the Court and refer the non-compliance
to the SRA as part of a regulatory complaint concerning
potential unauthorised conduct of litigation.
Yours faithfully,
[Full name][/quote]
#Post#: 97921--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: helenwhite00 Date: November 12, 2025, 5:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks once again for the info.
I haven’t yet received my own N180, once I do will let you know
if any questions.
I did send the follow-up email to DCB Legal on Sarah Ensall last
Tuesday but they have not responded so can you let me know how I
take this forward with the court…?
Thanks,
Helen.
#Post#: 98001--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: b789 Date: November 13, 2025, 10:03 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Send all the following emails...
To info@dcblegal.co.uk and CC yourself:
[quote]Subject: Claim [claim number] – Notice of escalation
following continued non-response
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to my emails of 28 September 2025 and 3 November 2025
concerning the N1SDT Claim Form signed “Sarah Ensall – Head of
Legal”, requesting confirmation of her authorisation or
exemption under the Legal Services Act 2007 to conduct
litigation.
You have failed to respond to either email.
As warned, I have now taken the following actions:
[indent]• Court notification – Both previous emails and this
correspondence have been provided to the Court with a request
that the issue of the signer’s authority be considered at the
appropriate stage. I have invited the Court to treat your
failure to engage as unreasonable conduct and to consider a
costs order under CPR 27.14(2)(g).
• Regulatory escalation – A formal complaint has been submitted
to the SRA concerning the potential unauthorised conduct of
litigation, including the filing and signing of a Claim Form by
a person whose authorisation or exemption has not been confirmed
despite repeated requests.[/indent]
For completeness, I remain willing to receive your confirmation
as to Ms Ensall’s authorised status or exemption under Schedule
3 of the Legal Services Act 2007, together with her SRA or CILEX
number and practising status, should you wish to belatedly
provide it.
Yours faithfully,
[Full name][/quote]
The following as a PDF attachment in an email to the court at
CaseProgression.CNBC[member=6517]justice[/member].gov.uk and CC
DCB Legal and yourself:
[quote]Subject: Claim [claim number] – Notice Regarding Signer’s
Authority to Conduct Litigation
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write as the Defendant in this matter.
On 28 September 2025, I emailed the Claimant’s solicitors, DCB
Legal Ltd, requesting confirmation that the individual who
signed the N1SDT Claim Form (“Sarah Ensall – Head of Legal”) is
authorised or exempt under the Legal Services Act 2007 to
conduct litigation. Preparing and signing an N1SDT is conduct of
litigation, as confirmed in Mazur & Anor v Charles Russell
Speechlys LLP [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB).
I received no response.
On 3 November 2025, I sent a formal reminder giving DCB Legal
three further days to respond.
No reply was received.
In accordance with my warning to them, I now formally place this
correspondence before the Court. I respectfully invite the Court
to note:
[indent]1. The Claimant’s solicitors have failed to provide any
confirmation that the signer of the Claim Form is authorised or
exempt to conduct litigation.
2. This raises a legitimate issue under the Legal Services Act
2007 concerning potential unauthorised conduct of litigation.
3. I ask the Court, at the appropriate stage, to take this into
account when considering compliance and conduct.
4. I also ask the Court to consider whether the Claimant’s
prolonged failure to engage with reasonable procedural enquiries
amounts to unreasonable conduct for the purposes of CPR
27.14(2)(g), including the costs I have incurred in dealing with
this issue as a litigant in person at the rate of £24 per
hour.[/indent]
I confirm that I have simultaneously raised this issue with the
Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Yours faithfully,
[Full name]
[Address]
[Email][/quote]
In the email, add this to the body:
[indent]I am the Defendant in the above claim. Please place the
attached notice on the court file.[/indent]
And to the SRA at report@sra.org.uk and CC yourself:
[quote]Subject: Regulatory Complaint – Potential Unauthorised
Conduct of Litigation by DCB Legal Ltd (Claim [claim number])
Dear SRA Investigations,
I wish to raise a regulatory complaint concerning potential
unauthorised conduct of litigation by DCB Legal Ltd.
Background
DCB Legal Ltd filed and served a Claim Form (Form N1SDT) in
claim [claim number]. The Claim Form was signed by “Sarah
Ensall”, described as “Head of Legal”. The form purports to have
been signed on behalf of the Claimant’s solicitor.
Preparing, signing, filing or serving an N1SDT constitutes
“conduct of litigation”, a reserved legal activity under the
Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007). The High Court confirmed in
Mazur & Anor v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP [2025] EWHC 2341
(KB) that unqualified employees may assist solicitors but cannot
themselves conduct litigation unless authorised or exempt.
Attempts to clarify authorisation
On 28 September 2025, I wrote to DCB Legal requesting
confirmation that Ms Ensall is authorised or exempt to conduct
litigation, and asked for her SRA or CILEX practising details.
No reply was received.
On 3 November 2025, I sent a formal reminder allowing three
further days for a response.
No reply was received.
Both emails are attached.
Reason for complaint
DCB Legal have:
[indent]• Filed a Claim Form signed by a person whose
authorisation or exemption has not been confirmed.
• Failed to provide any clarification despite two written
requests.
• Provided no evidence that the individual signing the claim
form has the required authorisation, practising certificate, or
statutory exemption under Schedule 3 LSA 2007.[/indent]
This raises a potential breach of:
[indent]• The Legal Services Act 2007 (conducting a reserved
legal activity without authorisation or exemption);
• SRA Principles (integrity, accountability, transparency);
• SRA Code of Conduct for Firms (particularly paragraphs 2.1 and
8.1).[/indent]
I ask the SRA to determine:
[indent]1. Whether Ms Ensall is authorised or exempt to conduct
litigation;
2. Whether the filing and signing of the N1SDT constituted
unauthorised conduct of litigation;
3. Whether DCB Legal and/or any individual has breached the SRA
Principles or Code of Conduct.[/indent]
Please let me know if further documents or clarification are
required.
Yours faithfully,
[Full name]
[Postal address]
[Email][/quote]
#Post#: 99950--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: helenwhite00 Date: November 26, 2025, 11:38 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I been away for 12 days and the form N180 form had arrived when
I got back ands needs to be emailed before the 1st of December
but had a few questions:
When do I provide the information that I have already paid at
least part of the amount…?
Does this mean the case may now go to court or is it still
unlikely to get that far…?
If it does get that far I have no idea what I should ask or
follow-up to responses but hoping if needed someone on here can
help with that.
There will be dates due to work I can’t make but as timelines on
my study still being sorted I don’t know when these will be so
can I update availability dates later…?
Thanks as always,
Helen.
#Post#: 100051--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: b789 Date: November 27, 2025, 8:30 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Did you send the last 3 emails I advised?
H1. When do you mention that you already paid £100?
Still not yet.
The defence you filed is deliberately confined to the defective
Particulars of Claim (CPR 16.4 issue). At this stage you do not
add facts or start arguing about payment. The right place for
the £100 point is your witness statement and evidence bundle, if
the claim ever gets that far. That’s when you will:
– Exhibit the DRP letter showing the £100 figure
– Exhibit your bank statement showing the £100 payment
– Explain in a short narrative that the “principal” sum was paid
months ago and the only thing now pursued is an invented add-on
Nothing about that needs to go on the N180.
2. Does getting an N180 mean it will definitely go to a hearing?
No. The N180 is just the next procedural step (Directions
Questionnaire). It means the claim has moved past the
acknowledgement/defence stage and the court is now deciding:
– Which track (small claims – it will be)
– Which local court
– Whether to list a hearing, and roughly when
Over 99% of private parking claims are discontinued by DCB Legal
after after directions are given, especially where a proper
defence has been filed. You must assume it might go to a hearing
(highly unlikely) and complete everything properly, but it is
more likely than not – that they will discontinue later once
they realise you’re not an easy win.
3. If it does go to a hearing, will you get help with what to
say?
Yes.
If it reaches the witness statement stage, you will:
– Draft a short, clear witness statement telling your side
– Include the fact and proof of the £100 payment
– Attach key exhibits (DRP letter, payment proof, any earlier
correspondence)
You won’t be left to guess what to say. Post back here when the
court sends you the Notice of Allocation and directions (with
the WS deadline) and we can walk you through the WS and evidence
step by step.
4. What do you do about dates you can’t attend on the N180?
On the N180 there is a box asking about dates in the next few
months when you definitely cannot attend a hearing (holidays,
booked exams, immovable work commitments, etc.).
– If you already know any fixed dates you cannot do, list them
now.
– If you genuinely don’t yet know your study/work pattern, you
can leave that section blank for now.
If the court later lists a hearing on a date you cannot attend
(because of exams, a fixed work rota, pre-booked holiday etc.),
you can then write to the allocated court as soon as you know
asking for the date to be moved, explaining why and attaching
evidence if possible. It’s not ideal to rely on a change later
(it may involve an application and fee), so do include any known
“blackout” dates now, but don’t worry if you can’t predict
everything.
Quick reminder for the N180 itself:
– Small claims track: Yes
– Your local court: request your nearest one
– Mediation: mandatory only to "attend" the call
– Witnesses: put “1 – the Defendant”
– Sign by simply typing your full name and date it
– Email a copy to the court (CNBC) and a copy to DCB Legal
before the deadline.
You've already been advised on how to complete and where to
email the N180.
#Post#: 100542--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: helenwhite00 Date: December 1, 2025, 10:03 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi and thanks again for the help.
I sent the DQ on Friday to
DQ.CNBC[member=6517]justice[/member].gov.uk and
info@dcblegal.co.uk.
Had sent the other 3 emails re. Sarah Ensall a few days earlier
as soon as I got back.
Will let you know as soon as I hear anything more.
Thanks,
Helen.
#Post#: 101830--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: helenwhite00 Date: December 10, 2025, 6:12 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I received below email response from DCB Legal (email in next
post) today and so do I respond to them and what is any other
further follow-up do I do in relation to this….?
Also below response is not just a cut and paste, they are
responding to my specific case and so it does sound like they
intend to proceed take it to court and so if they send a
solicitor for that I will not know how to respond to questions
and their responses as with the written correspondence I can ask
for advice on this forum but won’t be able to do that in
court….?
Finally they keep saying I haven’t paid and keep ignoring the
communications I sent them detailing the £100 paid, so I am
guessing they with argue they never received that money as it
didn’t go directly to them but another company (Debt Recovery
Plus) they used so will it be enough that I can show from my
bank statement the money was paid to Debt Recovery Plus as they
had sent me a letter relating to this matter…?
Thanks,
Helen
#Post#: 101831--------------------------------------------------
Re: Letter of Claim - DCB Legal
By: helenwhite00 Date: December 10, 2025, 6:15 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Dear Helen Elizabeth White,
I write further to our correspondence dated 03/12/2025 in
acknowledgement of your complaint. I have conducted a full
review of the issues raised within your complaint and the
outcome of this review is detailed below.
For context, your file relates to an unpaid Parking Charge
issued on the 19/10/2023 at Hill Street – Birmingham due to the
P&D/permit purchased did not cover the date and time of parking.
DCB Legal were instructed on 03/06/2025 by our Client, Euro Car
Parks Limited as all previous attempts to recover payment were
unsuccessful and no successful appeal was lodged.
Upon instruction, DCB Legal issued a formal Letter of Claim in
accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol. We received no payment;
hence, a Claim was issued against you on the 16/09/2025 under
Claim Number XXXXXXXX. You filed a Defence dated 30/09/2025.
For clarity, all employees of DCB Legal operate under the
oversight and supervision of its qualified Solicitors and all
processes/files are reviewed and approved by our Solicitors
before any legal action is taken.
In respect to your reference to the Legal Services Act 2007 and
the recent well-known case law of Mazur v Charles Russell
Speechlys, we can confirm that in line with standard practices,
DCB Legal is currently reviewing its operational processes with
a view to ensuring continued compliance within the supervisory
framework and regulatory requirements. We are aware that we are
not the only Solicitors firm to be reviewing its processes, and
this affects activities across the legal industry.
Due to the above, the Claim Form has been served in line with
the Legal Service Act, as such your comments bear no relevance
to your case.
Due to the above review and the history of your file, DCB Legal
will not be upholding your complaint. If payment is made of the
Claim balance of £281.76, then legal proceedings will cease.
Failure to make payment will result in the continuation of legal
proceedings.
DCB Legal are meeting their legal obligations and are continuing
to act professionally, as such we consider your complaint file
closed. Payment can be made via bank transfer to our designated
client account: -
• Account Name: DCB Legal Ltd Client Account
• Sort Code: 20-24-09
• Account Number: 60964441
You must quote the correct case reference 711200094142ECPL when
making payment. If you do not, we may be unable to correctly
allocate the payment. If further action is taken by us as a
result of an incorrect reference being quoted, you will be
liable for any further fees or costs incurred.
Alternatively, you can contact DCB Legal Ltd on 0203 434 0424 to
make payment over the telephone or online at
HTML https://dcblegal.co.uk/response/pay-online/
Kind Regards,
Rhiannon Marsh
Complaints and Compliance Associate
DCB Legal Ltd
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