Best Parking Ticket Appeal Lawyers in the UK
Got a parking ticket? Don’t worry – each month, over 32,000 people come here for advice on tickets and fines. This article will help guide you through the appeal process. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The steps to appeal and possibly win against your parking ticket.
- The law around parking charges and who can enforce them.
- Who is responsible for a parking charge notice.
- Whether you should appeal a ticket on private land.
- How to get help from a parking ticket lawyer.
Our team of experts is here for you. We understand your worries about paying a fine that might not be right. So, take a deep breath, and let’s get started to find out more about how you can handle 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.
Is it illegal to not pay a parking charge?
No. Not paying a Parking Charge Notice isn’t classed as ‘illegal’. In short, a parking ticket on private land falls under ‘contractual law’. You see, when you enter into a privately run car park, you agree to the Terms & Conditions for using it.
When you break the T&Cs, the issuer raises an invoice in the form of a Parking Charge Notice. It may look like an official Penalty Charge Notice but it’s not the same at all!
Can parking tickets be enforced by an operator?
As mentioned, car park management companies and landowners can legally issue parking tickets. However, they can’t legally demand payment from you.
Only a judge can order you to pay a Parking Charge Notice!
In short, a landowner or car park management company must win the case against you. In order to win the case, they must:
- Follow all rules that govern how private car parks are run and managed
- Offer motorists a discounted fine if the amount is settled within 14 days
- Allow a grace period before a parking ticket is issued
- Not issue fines that are more than the capped amount
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.
Should you appeal a parking ticket on private land?
It’s your right to appeal a parking ticket on private land if you want to. Plus, you have 28 days to challenge the fine. In fact, you have 28 days to either appeal or pay a Parking Charge Notice!
Some private car park operators use an online appeals process whereas others ask you to write an appeal letter to them.
You need to provide enough evidence to support an appeal along with the parking ticket number and your vehicle registration details.
If the parking fine is excessive and you feel the car park management company is not willing to play ball, you could consider contacting a lawyer. Their legal advice could be invaluable as they have the necessary legal experience in dealing with parking fines.
Should you get help from a parking ticket lawyer?
Although you don’t necessarily need a lawyer to help fight a parking ticket on private land, you may want to seek their advice.
In short, you could ask a lawyer to weigh up the chances of making a successful appeal against a Parking Charge Notice. A lawyer could assess whether your evidence is enough to get a parking ticket cancelled.
In short, if you seek legal advice from a lawyer before the 14 days are up, they could help you decide whether to pay or appeal the fine.
Like this, if they say there’s little chance of successfully appealing the fine, you could still pay the discounted amount!
Join thousands of others who got legal help for a £5 trial
Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.
Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.
What’s the best excuse to appeal a parking ticket?
There are several excuses that the issuer should consider as valid which I’ve listed here:
- Your car broke down and you had to wait for assistance
- The ticket was issued before the grace period was up
- You could pay because the payment machine was out of order
- A medical emergency stopped you from returning on time
However, you must provide evidence to support whatever excuse you use to have a parking ticket cancelled. Without adequate proof, your appeal will be turned down.
How long does it take for an operator to respond to an appeal?
Car park management companies should give you a response within 56 days of receiving an appeal. If they don’t, your appeal could be upheld and the parking ticket cancelled.
In short, you won’t have to pay the Parking Charge Notice!
How do you escalate a rejected appeal?
I’ve listed the associations that deal with rejected appeals in the table below:
| Association Members | Links to websites |
| British Parking Association | Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) |
| International Parking Community | Independent Appeals Service (IAS) |
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.
