I got around the latter by reading them the route as "N-XXXXX cleared on route A B C D" and then my back is covered for their tape. Usually their reply is "Roger".
Good plan. In fact in future my reply for landing / transiting will be:
"GABCD cleared into XYZ class D, Wilco"......
This then ensures I have CMA.....I'm sure if it came to court, and the tapes were pulled, there'd be no case.