Should I Pay or Appeal my Brighton and Hove Parking Ticket?
Did you get a parking ticket in Brighton and Hove? You might be feeling worried and unsure about what to do next. We’re here to help.
Every month, this site is visited by more than 32,000 people looking for advice on tickets and fines just like yours. In this easy-to-understand guide, we’ll look at:
- What a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is and why you might have been given one.
- How to make an appeal against a Brighton and Hove Council parking fine.
- The difference between a Penalty Charge and a Parking Charge.
- What could happen if you don’t pay a parking fine.
- What to do if your appeal is rejected.
We know how stressful it can be to get a parking ticket, especially if you’re not sure whether you should pay it or appeal. But don’t worry; we have tons of experience in dealing with similar situations.
We’re here to provide the information and guidance you need to make the best decision about your Brighton and Hove parking ticket. Let’s dive in.
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.
Should I just pay for my Brighton and Hove parking ticket?
If you parked for longer than the signage allowed or parked somewhere you shouldn’t, I’d suggest you pay the fine as soon as possible, as long as the fine has been issued correctly. If you pay within 14 days the fine is usually half the price, but your parking ticket will detail this information.
However, if you feel the fine you’ve been given is unfair, or even wrong, you can:
- Check whether the operator is a member of either the International Parking Association (IPC) or the British Parking Association (BPA)
- Establish the operator issued the parking charge correctly according to the Code of Practice
The same goes for parking tickets on private land. As long as they were issued correctly, you shouldn’t ignore them. You can either pay up within 14 days for a smaller fine, or you can go down the appeals process, which I’ll delve into next.
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Should I appeal a Brighton and Hove parking ticket?
If you don’t believe you did anything wrong you do have the right to appeal. Brighton and Hove will have provided information along with the parking ticket on how you can do this.
It’s worth noting that you must appeal a penalty charge notice within 14 days to avoid paying the full amount. The same goes for parking charge notices on private land.
How do I appeal a Brighton and Hove parking ticket?
You can appeal a penalty charge notice from Brighton and Hove online.
To successfully appeal a Brighton and Hove parking ticket, you will need to provide evidence to support your appeal. “Running late” isn’t an excuse that will help your appeal. You will need a solid reason, usually backed by evidence that excuses you for overstaying or parking in the wrong place.
I have been issued with some hefty parking fines before, so I decided to find out some valid reasons to appeal your parking ticket.
All appeals must be given in writing, within 28 days of the ticket being issued, and you may have to wait 4-6 weeks to get a reply.
No further action can be taken against you until a decision has been made regarding your Brighton and Hove appeal.
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.
What happens if my Brighton and Hove appeal is rejected?
You’ll receive a Notice of Rejection from the local council if your appeal isn’t accepted. This notice will give you two options:
- To file an appeal with the Independent Parking Adjudicator
- To settle the fine within 28 days of receiving the Notice of rejection
If you decide to appeal further, you’ll find the appeal form within the rejection notice from Brighton and Hove.
What happens if I don’t pay a penalty charge notice from Brighton and Hove?
If you don’t pay or appeal within 28 days of the ticket being issued, you’ll receive a Charge Certificate and your fine will increase by 50%!
If you ignore this for a further 14 days, you’ll be sent a court order to pay, plus there will be extra costs slapped on the top.
My advice? Pay or appeal the penalty charge notice within the original 14 days.
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.