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What happens if I pay after a court claim is filed?

Last updated: June 2025 · 8 min read

If you pay the parking charge after a County Court claim is filed, you may still owe the court fees the parking company paid to issue the claim. The parking company should discontinue the claim once payment is received, but you should ensure this happens to avoid a CCJ being entered by mistake.

  • --Paying the charge alone may not be enough -- court fees may also be owed
  • --Insist on the claim being formally discontinued
  • --Get written confirmation that the matter is closed
  • --If a judgment has already been entered, paying within 30 days allows removal from the register

Key Takeaways

  1. Paying after a claim is filed does not automatically close the case -- the claim must be formally discontinued.
  2. You may also need to pay the court issue fee (35-115 pounds) on top of the parking charge.
  3. Always get written confirmation that the claim has been discontinued.
  4. If a default judgment was entered, pay within 30 days and apply for its removal.
  5. Consider whether the charge is actually valid before paying -- filing a defence costs nothing.

What Applies to You

If you want to pay before the defence deadline

You can pay the charge and court fees to settle the matter before filing a defence.

Contact the claimant's solicitor to agree the total amount including court fees, and get written confirmation of discontinuance.

Urgent

If you have already filed a defence

You can still settle at any point before the hearing. The parking company may agree to drop the claim.

Make a settlement offer in writing and request formal discontinuance.

Act soon

If a default judgment has been entered

You need to pay the judgment amount. Paying within 30 days means the CCJ can be removed.

Pay immediately and apply to have the CCJ removed from the register.

Urgent

What Amount Do You Actually Need to Pay?

After a court claim is filed, the amount owed is typically the original parking charge plus the court issue fee. The issue fee ranges from 35 to 115 pounds depending on the claim amount. Some parking companies also add solicitor costs to the claim, though these are generally not recoverable on the small claims track. Clarify the exact settlement figure in writing before making payment.

Ensuring the Claim Is Properly Closed

Simply paying the money does not automatically end the court proceedings. The parking company (or its solicitors) must file a Notice of Discontinuance with the court. Without this, the case remains open and a judgment could theoretically still be entered. Always request written confirmation that the claim will be discontinued and check with the court that it has been processed.

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Should You Pay or Defend?

Before paying, consider whether the charge is actually valid. Filing a defence on the small claims track costs nothing and carries minimal risk. Many parking companies discontinue claims when a defence is filed because it becomes uneconomical to proceed. If you have legitimate grounds to challenge the charge, defending may be the better option even at this late stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the court fees as well as the charge?

If you are settling the claim, the parking company will typically expect you to pay the court issue fee they incurred in addition to the parking charge. This is a reasonable cost of the proceedings.

Can I negotiate a reduced settlement?

Yes. Many parking companies will accept a reduced amount to avoid the costs and uncertainty of a hearing. Any settlement should be agreed in writing and should include discontinuance of the court claim.

What if I pay but the parking company does not discontinue the claim?

If the parking company fails to discontinue the claim after receiving payment, you should write to them requesting discontinuance and, if necessary, apply to the court to have the claim struck out. Keep proof of payment.

Is it worth paying just to avoid the stress?

This is a personal decision. However, if the charge is invalid, paying rewards the parking company for pursuing an unenforceable claim. The small claims process is designed to be accessible and low-risk.

Will it appear on my credit file if I pay before judgment?

If no judgment has been entered and the claim is properly discontinued, there will be no CCJ on your credit file. The claim itself does not appear on credit records -- only a judgment does.

Don't pay until you know your rights

Our defence documents are grounded in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. Customers have used these arguments to get charges dropped and claims discontinued.

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FightMyPCN is a document preparation service, not a law firm. The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. If you are unsure about your position, consider seeking independent legal advice.