Should I Pay or Appeal Camden PCN?
Have you received a parking ticket from Camden Council? Are you unsure if you need to pay or if you can fight it?
You are not alone. Every month, more than 32,000 people visit this site for advice on tickets and fines. It can be a bit scary and very confusing. But don’t worry.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand:
- Why you might get a parking ticket from Camden Council
- How you can avoid paying a Camden PCN
- The ways to fight your parking ticket
- What happens if you don’t pay the fine
- How to deal with a Notice to Owner from the council
We know how you might feel when you get a parking ticket; some of us have been there too. With our experience, we’ll help you learn what to do with your Camden PCN.
Do You Have to Pay?
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your fine.
It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.
Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.
Chat below to get started with JustAnswer
In partnership with Just Answer.
What’s a Notice to Owner, and should you be worried?
You get a Notice to the Owner when you don’t pay or appeal the fine within the set deadlines. But don’t panic. When you get a Notice to Owner in the post, you have 28 days to decide what to do.
Don’t pay the PCN if you’re thinking about challenging the penalty. When you pay it, you’ve admitted liability and lost your right to contest the PCN!
Note: The council must send the registered keeper a Notice to the Owner no later than 6 months after the alleged offence.
How to avoid paying a Camden PCN
If you want to avoid paying a Camden PCN then you’ll need an airtight appeal.
The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.
You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.
Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.
Can you challenge a Camden PCN?
Yes. You can challenge a Camden penalty charge notice. More especially if you didn’t commit an offence. But you must provide the council with a valid reason for contesting the fine. Without proof, the authority will reject your appeal out of hand.
So, what reason could you give for contesting the penalty charge?
You could argue the following when contesting a Camden penalty charge:
- The PCN is unjustified
- As far as you know, you didn’t commit any sort of violation
- The penalty was issued before you bought the car or after you sold it
There are other reasons you could use to challenge the PCN. But the main thing is to remain honest and provide as much proof as possible. I’ve put together a great PCN appeal template that is free to use and recommend you check it out.
The more solid evidence you have, the stronger the challenge will be. Moreover, the greater your chance of making a successful appeal against a Camden PCN.
Note: The penalty charge notice is cancelled if the council accepts your appeal.
What’s the time limit for filing an appeal against a PCN?
There are time limits to respect when you appeal a Camden PCN. For example, when you find the penalty attached to your windscreen or are handed the fine, you have 14 days to appeal.
However, when the PCN arrives in the post, you have 21 days to file an informal appeal with the council.
Note: The council will not consider any appeals that fall outside the time limit deadlines!
Successful Appeal Case Study
Situation
| Initial Fine | £100 |
| Additional Fees | £171 |
| Total Fine | £271 |
The Appeal Process
Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.
| Total Fine | £271 |
| Cost of legal advice | £5 |
JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.
Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.
In partnership with Just Answer.
How do you appeal a Camden PCN?
Now, you make an informal appeal to the council when you’re handed the PCN or the fine’s left on your car. The authority considers your appeal before they send out their decision. This could be:
- A letter of acceptance, in which case the penalty is cancelled
- A Notice of Rejection, in which case you have a further 14 days to pay or take the matter further by making a formal appeal (representation)
Camden Council will not take the case forward while an appeal is in progress.
What if you ignore a Camden PCN?
Ignoring and not paying a Camden PCN could be an expensive decision. One I suggest you avoid at all costs. The ramifications of not paying the penalty could be far-reaching!
Penalty charge notices are not like parking charge notices. Fines issued by the Council, police or other authorities are backed by UK legislation. In short, a council doesn’t have to start legal proceedings to make you pay.
No, all that’s needed is a Charge Certificate and Warrant of Execution for bailiffs (enforcement agents) to contact you!
Should you pay a Camden PCN straight away?
Once you’re satisfied, the penalty charge is yours. Paying the fine within 14 days means paying half the amount. In short, if the fine was £130, you’ll only pay £65 when you pay within two weeks.
That said, you have 28 days to pay, which means you’ll have to pay the full amount.
Also, you’ll be asked to provide the following:
- The vehicle registration number (VRN)
- The penalty charge notice unique reference number
- Your payment details
If you lost the PCN, call the council rather than search for it, which could take time and cause stress. So, contact the council, and they should provide the PCN number without too much delay.
Note: Only the registered keeper can ask the council for details on the PCN reference number.
What happens if you don’t pay a PCN?
The fine increases, and you’ll have to pay more, 50% more, in fact. Plus, there’ll be penalties and other fees to pay when you don’t pay a PCN on time!
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What happens when Camden Council rejects a formal appeal?
If you’re unlucky and the council rejects your appeals against a penalty charge, all is not lost (yet). You have the right to appeal to the London Tribunals, which are independent adjudicators.
Note: You can’t appeal to the London Tribunals until you get a Notice of Rejection from Camden Council. Plus, the adjudicator’s decision is final. So that’s the end of the road, whichever way it goes!
Camden PCN appeal – pay or challenge?
Challenging the fine depends on whether you have a strong argument for having the penalty charge cancelled. There are valid reasons for contesting the fine. You just have to prove it!
On the other hand, you may want to pay the reduced amount and avoid any hassles. If so, paying a Camden PCN within 14 days of it being issued could save you a bundle of money (and time).
Thanks for reading my post on Camden penalty charge notices. I hope the information in the article helps you save time and money!
Hire a Parking Solicitor for less than a coffee.
If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea.
Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.
For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.
In partnership with Just Answer.
