06-18-2026, 05:17 PM
@armz247, do not overthink the portal point. Gladstones are almost certainly going to issue a claim whatever you do. That is their usual conveyor-belt process. When the claim arrives, it will almost certainly be their usual vague template Particulars of Claim (PoC), and any CPR 16.4/PD16 deficiencies can be dealt with at that stage.
The purpose of replying to the Letter of Claim is not to persuade Gladstones, because they are not going to be persuaded. The purpose is simply to create a clean paper trail showing that the debt was disputed, the core issues were identified, and the relevant evidence was requested.
I would not use their portal. There is no requirement to create a Gladstones login just to dispute a debt. Send the response by email to their enquiries address and, if you really want to, also send a hard copy by first-class post with a free certificate of posting from the Post Office. However, it is not really necessary to send your response by post. That would be more than enough to show engagement. If they later pretend you failed to engage with the PAPDC because you did not use their portal, that would be nonsense.
Do not worry about trying to perfect the PAPDC stage. It is not the trial and it is not the defence. Just send the denial, request the key evidence, keep proof of sending, and wait for the inevitable defective claim. The detailed CPR 16.4 point comes later.
The purpose of replying to the Letter of Claim is not to persuade Gladstones, because they are not going to be persuaded. The purpose is simply to create a clean paper trail showing that the debt was disputed, the core issues were identified, and the relevant evidence was requested.
I would not use their portal. There is no requirement to create a Gladstones login just to dispute a debt. Send the response by email to their enquiries address and, if you really want to, also send a hard copy by first-class post with a free certificate of posting from the Post Office. However, it is not really necessary to send your response by post. That would be more than enough to show engagement. If they later pretend you failed to engage with the PAPDC because you did not use their portal, that would be nonsense.
Do not worry about trying to perfect the PAPDC stage. It is not the trial and it is not the defence. Just send the denial, request the key evidence, keep proof of sending, and wait for the inevitable defective claim. The detailed CPR 16.4 point comes later.
Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. - Mark Twain
