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How to Acknowledge a Parking Court Claim Online

Last updated: April 2026

Acknowledging a county court claim is the first step after receiving a claim form. It must be done within 14 days of service. Acknowledging is not an admission of liability -- it simply confirms you have received the claim and intend to defend it. It buys you an extra 14 days (28 days total from service) to file your defence.

  • --Acknowledge within 14 days of receiving the claim form
  • --Acknowledgment is not an admission -- it just confirms receipt and your intent to defend
  • --It gives you extra time: 28 days total from service to file your defence
  • --Most parking claims can be acknowledged online through MCOL

Key Takeaways

  1. Acknowledging the claim is quick and can be done online in minutes
  2. It is the single most important first step -- do not delay
  3. Failing to acknowledge or file a defence in time risks a default judgment
  4. Tick 'I intend to defend all of the claim' on the acknowledgment form
  5. Use the extra time to prepare a thorough defence
1

Check Whether the Claim Was Issued Online

Look at the claim form. If it was issued through Money Claims Online (MCOL), the claim number starts with a specific prefix and the form will reference the online portal. Most parking charge claims are issued through MCOL. If it was issued through a physical court, you must acknowledge by post.

Tips

  • --The claim form should indicate whether it was issued electronically
  • --Check for a website address on the claim form for online acknowledgment
2

Go to the MCOL Website

Navigate to the Money Claims Online (MCOL) portal. You will need the claim number and the security code from your claim form. If you do not have an MCOL account, you will need to create one. This is free and takes a few minutes.

3

Log In and Find Your Claim

Log in to MCOL, enter your claim number and security code, and locate your claim. The system will show the claim details and the options available to you. Select the option to acknowledge service of the claim.

Tips

  • --Have the claim form in front of you when logging in
  • --Double-check the claim number for accuracy

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4

Complete the Acknowledgment Form

On the acknowledgment form, tick the option 'I intend to defend all of this claim'. Do not tick 'I admit the claim' or 'I intend to defend part of this claim' unless you have a specific reason to do so. Completing the acknowledgment extends your deadline for filing a defence to 28 days from the date of service.

Tips

  • --Select 'defend all' -- this preserves all your options
  • --Do not make any admissions on the acknowledgment form
5

Save Your Confirmation

After submitting the acknowledgment, save or print the confirmation. This is your proof that you acknowledged the claim within the deadline. Note the deadline for filing your defence, which is now 28 days from service of the claim.

Tips

  • --Screenshot the confirmation page
  • --Note the defence deadline in your calendar immediately
6

Start Preparing Your Defence

Use the additional time to prepare your defence thoroughly. Analyse the Particulars of Claim, gather evidence, and draft your defence. File the defence before the 28-day deadline. Do not leave it to the last day -- unexpected issues can cause delays.

Tips

  • --Read the Particulars of Claim carefully to identify the basis of the claim
  • --Start gathering evidence and drafting your defence immediately

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I do not acknowledge the claim?

If you do not acknowledge or file a defence within 14 days of service, the claimant can request a default judgment. This means you lose without the court hearing your defence.

Is acknowledging the claim the same as admitting liability?

No. Acknowledging the claim simply confirms you have received it and intend to defend. It is not an admission of liability and does not affect your defence.

Can I acknowledge by post instead of online?

Yes. If the claim was issued through a physical court (not MCOL), you must acknowledge by returning the paper form to the court. If it was issued online, you can still acknowledge by post, but online is faster.

How much extra time does acknowledging give me?

Acknowledging extends the deadline for filing your defence from 14 days to 28 days from the date of service. This extra time is valuable for preparing a thorough defence.

What if I miss the 14-day acknowledgment deadline?

If you miss the acknowledgment deadline, you can still file a defence within 14 days of service. If you miss both deadlines, the claimant can apply for default judgment. You may be able to apply to set aside a default judgment, but this is more difficult.

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