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How to appeal a ticket
How to appeal a parking ticket

District Enforcement Appeals – Should I Pay or Challenge?

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Janine
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Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.

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· Mar 4th, 2024
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District Enforcement

Did you get a parking ticket from District Enforcement? You might be feeling worried and unsure about what to do next. Every month, more than 32,000 people visit this website for advice on tickets and fines, just like you.

In this easy-to-understand guide, we’ll help you:

  • Learn who District Enforcement is and where they work.
  • Understand why District Enforcement might give you a parking fine.
  • Figure out if you can beat your ticket.
  • Decide if you need to pay District Enforcement.
  • Show you how to appeal against a District Enforcement parking ticket.

We know how you might be feeling right now, and we’re here to make things easier for you. Our team has offered guidance to many people in your situation, so take a pause, breathe, and let’s find out how you can tackle your parking ticket.

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.

How to avoid paying District Enforcement parking tickets

If you want to avoid paying a District Enforcement parking ticket 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.

Why Did District Enforcement Give You a Parking Fine?

Because this private parking operator handles both private and official parking services, there is a range of reasons why you might be given a parking fine. Some of these are due to non-compliance with road laws, others are private parking rules being enforced. Here are some examples:

  • You did not have a valid permit and parked in a permit holder-only bay.
  • Parking or stopping on a double yellow line.
  • Parking or stopping in a bus lane.
  • Failing to display a  valid disabled sticker when parked in a disabled bay.
  • Not displaying a valid ticket in a pay and display car park.
  • Overstaying the time limit you paid for parking.
  • Parking dangerously, or taking up more than one parking bay.

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.

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

Do You Have To Pay District Enforcement?

This question is tricky to answer, as District Enforcement may have given you either a penalty charge notice or a parking charge notice. I will explain whether you need to pay for each of these.

  • Parking charge notice – this is an invoice for private parking, and is not legally enforceable. However, you can’t just ignore a parking charge notice from District Enforcement. The company is a member of the International Parking Community (IPC). What this means, is that once District Enforcement has your license plate number, they can ask the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to provide details of the owner of the vehicle. The owner will the been pursued to pay the fine. If you don’t pay, the debt could be passed over to a collection agency.
  • Penalty charge notice – this is an official government fine. You cannot ignore a penalty charge notice, as it is legally enforceable. Meaning that there is a legal process that can be followed to get you to pay the fine. Ultimately, if you fail to pay the parking fine, you may end up with a conviction.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

How To Appeal Against a District Enforcement Parking Charge Notice

Once again, because you may be given either a private parking fine or a penalty charge notice by District Enforcement, I need to explain how to appeal against each type.

  • Parking charge notice – you will initially make an appeal through the company website. Providing the notice number, and your vehicle registration number. You can then upload any evidence you have to support your parking fine appeal. If your appeal fails, you then have the option of starting a more formal appeal your parking ticket directly with the IPC
  • Penalty charge notice – the appeal against an official fine, you have to begin the appeal within 28 days of the date of issue of the fine. You can then start an appeal with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT). Once again, you need to provide evidence to back up your appeal. If you lose this appeal, you have a further option. You can move on to the formal representation stage. This means you would need to find a lawyer to help you take your appeal to court. If you lose the appeal in court, you will be liable for costs. You will also have to pay your lawyer, and the original parking fine.
How To Appeal Against a District Enforcement Parking Charge Notice

Now, let me give you a little tip here. In order to present your appeal in the best light, you might like to try using a standard appeal letter template as the basis of your appeal. You can find plenty of these online. Just edit it to use your information, and send it as a cover letter for your appeal. A high percentage of parking ticket appeals are successful, and you have nothing to lose by making an appeal.

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.

 

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

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My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.