Gladstones Claim Form

[b789]

@therealrjp, Gladstones are unlikely to discontinue, certainly not like DCB Legal always do. Gladstones is staffed with utterly incompetent wannabe lawyers who manage to always screw something up, but they are stubborn and are almost certainly going to press on to a haring.

They won't attend themselves and will either submit their claim "on the papers" or possibly hire a by-the-hour advocate to attend on their behalf. However, you are advised to attend yourself. It is nothing to be worried about and this short video explains what is most likely to happen on the day:

https://youtu.be/n93eoaxhzpU?feature=shared

I will prep you with your WS and how to prepare for the hearing itself.

[therealrjp]

Hi again

Yesterday I received an email from Gladstones informing me of their intention to proceed to court and an attachment of a completed N180 form. In the email, they asked if I would be happy to receive further documents via email which seems reasonable and more efficient to me - is there a reason why I should decline?

They have also indicated that they are open to mediation, but I have not received anything further in the post from court. Should I expect that to arrive shortly? At the moment, it doesn’t appear I have anything to submit.

As a bit of an aside, I don’t want to fall foul of any deadlines but on the day I received the email from Gladstones, I also had a death in the family. I’m feeling a bit burdened by that at the moment and could use a bit of time. Are there any deadlines? Am I right to think this will be explained with a letter that will arrive from the court?

Thanks in advance.

[b789]

@therealrjp, firstly, sorry to hear about the death in your family. There is nothing you need to deal with urgently from what you have described, so don't worry about this for now.

What Gladstones have sent you is simply their copy of their N180 Directions Questionnaire (DQ). It does not create a deadline for you.

You can check your MCOL history to see when your own N180 has been issued, or just wait to receive it in the post. Make sure it is your own N180 and not simply another copy of the Claimant's. The court will give you a deadline for returning it.

When your own N180 has been issued, do not complete or scan the paper form. Ignore the other forms that come with it. Download a fresh N180 and complete it on your computer:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...0_1124.pdf

For the less obvious questions:

• Name of court: Civil National Business Centre
• Completed by: your full name
• You are: 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 Claimant's template submissions or speak as the only true witness to events in question."

• F1: Your nearest County Court.
• F3: 1
• Signature: simply type your full name in the signature box.

Once completed, attach the N180 PDF to one email addressed to both dq.cnbc@justice.gov.uk and Gladstones, and CC yourself. Put the claim number in the email subject line. Keep the sent email and your CC copy as evidence of submission.

As for Gladstones asking whether you are happy to receive documents by email, I would agree. It is instant, traceable and avoids relying on the post. Just make sure you continue monitoring that email address throughout the claim.

Their indication that they are willing to mediate is also nothing to worry about. We will deal with that through the N180 in the normal way.

So, for now, you have nothing to submit simply because Gladstones have sent you their N180. Keep an eye on MCOL and your post for your own DQ. Given your circumstances, there is no need to burden yourself with it until yours has actually been issued.

[therealrjp]

Thanks for your fast response.

I will let Gladstones know I am happy with corresponding by email. I have checked my MCOL and nothing is mentioned as of yet. I will keep an eye on that, my email and my post.