Gladstones Solicitors: who they are and how to deal with them
Had a letter, call or text from Gladstones Solicitors? Here is who they are, whether you have to pay, what they can and cannot do, and the letters that put you back in control.
Applies to: England & Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland differ)
What to do now
- Check the letter: is Gladstones Solicitors collecting for someone else, or has it bought the debt?
- If you do not recognise the debt, ask for proof before paying.
- If it is yours, reply with an affordable offer — never agree to more than you can keep up.
Who are Gladstones Solicitors?
Gladstones Solicitors is a law firm that recovers unpaid private parking charges for car park operators in bulk, including by issuing County Court claims.
| Legal names | Gladstones Solicitors Limited and Gladstones Holdings Limited |
|---|---|
| What it is | Firm of solicitors |
| Based in | Warrington |
| Companies House number | 07535449 |
We could not confirm its entry on the FCA register when we checked, so look it up yourself before paying. You can check any firm on the FCA register.
Is Gladstones Solicitors a scam?
Gladstones Solicitors is a real, established firm of solicitors. Scammers do sometimes copy the names of real collectors, so if a message seems wrong, do not use the phone number or link in it. Find the firm’s contact details yourself, from its official website or the FCA register, and ask it to confirm the debt in writing. A genuine collector will put the details of the debt in writing.
Do I have to pay Gladstones Solicitors?
A private parking charge can be enforced through the County Court if it is valid, so do not ignore it — but it is not a fine, and Gladstones Solicitors cannot send bailiffs or take money from your wages unless the operator first gets a County Court Judgment and it is not paid. If you think the charge is unfair, appeal to the car park operator and then to the independent appeals service it belongs to. Private parking charges explained.
- If you do not recognise the debt, or the amount looks wrong, ask for proof before paying — prove the debt or make a CCA request for a copy of the agreement.
- If you have not paid anything or acknowledged it in writing for six years (five in Scotland), and there has been no court claim, it may be statute-barred.
- If it is yours but you cannot afford what is being asked, offer what you can — the Offer Pack works out a fair amount and writes the letter.
What can Gladstones Solicitors do?
Gladstones Solicitors can
- Write to you, call and text at reasonable times
- Ask you to pay or make an arrangement
- Pass the account to solicitors
- Take you to court for a County Court Judgment
Gladstones Solicitors cannot
- Send bailiffs or take money from your wages without a court order first
- Come into your home, or take your belongings
- Contact you excessively, threaten you, or pretend to have powers it does not have
- Discuss the debt with your family, neighbours or employer without your permission
In Scotland and Northern Ireland the court steps are different — see Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Collectors are not bailiffs. Only after a court judgment that is not kept to can a creditor ask the court for enforcement such as County Court bailiffs or an attachment of earnings. How the debt collection process works.
How to deal with Gladstones Solicitors
- Open every letter and note the reference number. Add any dates to the deadline planner.
- Check the debt is yours and the amount is right.
- Ask for contact in writing if calls are too much — the writing-only letter.
- Do not agree a payment on the phone that you cannot keep. Work out your budget first with the budget calculator.
- Ask for 30 days’ breathing room while you get advice — firms should give you reasonable time.
- Keep a record of every contact in the contact log.
Contacting Gladstones Solicitors
Use the contact details printed on Gladstones Solicitors’s letter, after checking them against the FCA register. My Debt Cleared is not connected with Gladstones Solicitors. We are an independent information site; we cannot see or change your account.
Complaining about Gladstones Solicitors
Complain to Gladstones Solicitors first, in writing, and to the car park operator it acts for. Car park operators that belong to an accredited trade association must follow its code of practice, and you can complain to the association if the operator does not deal with your complaint. For complaints about the service of a law firm, the Legal Ombudsman may also be able to help. If contact has crossed the line, read creditor harassment and use the harassment complaint letter.
Sources for this page
- www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/parking-charges-law-firm-fined-for-unallocated-payments
- find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search/companies?q=gladstones+solicitor
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.
Common questions
Is Gladstones Solicitors legit?
Yes, Gladstones Solicitors is a real firm of solicitors. Scammers sometimes copy real firms, so contact it using details you have checked yourself, not ones in an unexpected message.
Do I have to pay Gladstones Solicitors?
A private parking charge is not a fine, but it can be enforced through the County Court if it is valid. Appeal first if you think it is unfair, and never ignore a court claim.
Is a letter from Gladstones Solicitors a court claim?
Not necessarily. A letter of claim is a warning before court action and gives you 30 days to reply. A court claim form comes from the court itself and gives you 14 days to respond.
Can Gladstones Solicitors take me to court?
Yes, if you owe the debt and do not reach an arrangement, Gladstones Solicitors or the creditor it acts for can take court action. Before it does, it must send a letter of claim giving you 30 days to reply.