Should I Pay or Appeal my GXS Services Ltd PCN?

Have you received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from GXS Services Ltd? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Each month, over 32,000 people ask us for advice about tickets and fines. Getting a PCN can be confusing, but we can guide you through it.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Who GXS Services Ltd is and what they do.
• Why you might get a private parking fine.
• How to decide if you should pay or appeal your ticket.
• What happens if you don’t pay your private parking fine.
• How the private parking fine appeal process works.

We know that getting a PCN can be worrying. You might be anxious about paying a fine that you think isn’t fair. Or maybe you’re not sure how to start an appeal. We get it, and we’re here to help you make sense of things.

Let’s discuss your options.

Why Are You Given a Private Parking Fine?

Parking Charge Notices (PCNs), also called private parking fines, are issued when a motorist violates the terms and conditions of parking stipulated by the landowner or parking management company on private land. This type of fine can be incurred for a variety of reasons but typically includes:

• Overstaying the permitted parking time by more than 10 minutes.
• Parking without a valid ticket or permit.
• Parking in restricted or prohibited zones.
• Not displaying a ticket or permit clearly.
• Parking in a disabled spot and not displaying a disabled sticker.

It is important to note that the parking operator is free to set their own rules for parking on private land. Don’t presume certain standard rules are in place, as you may fall foul of this. If unsure, you can read the parking terms and conditions, which should be available on a clearly readable notice board at the entrance to the car park. This is a legal requirement for parking operators, to make sure terms and conditions are easy to read and understand.

Do You Need to Pay a Private Parking Fine?

Private parking fines are not the same as local council-issued penalty charges and are not legally enforceable. If you receive a private parking fine, you are not obliged to pay it straight away. Instead, consider the following steps:

• Review the charge – Ensure that the fine is legitimate and not overly excessive. The charge should represent a genuine pre-estimate of the loss suffered by the landowner or management company.
• Appeal the charge – If you believe the charge is unfair or unjustified, you can appeal it. Sites like Citizens Advice offer guidance on appealing. There’s also an independent appeals service for Parking Charge Notices issued on private land known as POPLA, where you can appeal.
• Consider the consequences – If your appeal is unsuccessful, the charge can be enforceable, and non-payment might result in debt collection processes or court action. So, it’s essential to be informed and make a decision 
• Choose to ignore the fine – In some cases, you can do this and never hear a thing in the future. But not always. The parking operator may still decide to chase you for an unpaid debt if you just ignore the parking charge notice.

The Private Parking Fine Appeal Process

If you believe you’ve received an unfair parking charge from a private company in the UK, you can appeal it. Here’s a basic overview of the process:

• Prepare evidence –  When preparing your appeal, ensure you provide any supporting evidence, such as photographs of where you parked, unclear signage, or any valid permits or pay-and-display tickets you had at the time.
• Initial appeal – Before anything else, you should address your initial appeal to the company that issued the parking charge. You should explain your reasons for believing the charge is unfair. Reasons could include unclear signage or evidence that you were parked correctly. You can use a standard appeal letter template for this.
• Formal appeal – If the initial appeal fails, you can move on to the formal appeals process.
• Independent appeals service – If your appeal with the company is rejected, you can take it to an independent appeals service. For Parking Charge Notices issued on private land, you can appeal to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals).
• Outcome – If your appeal to an independent body like POPLA is successful, you won’t have to pay the charge. However, if your appeal is rejected, you’ll be expected to pay the fine or face potential further enforcement actions.

Something to keep in mind is that a high percentage of appeals are successful, and you really have nothing to lose by trying an appeal before you pay the parking fine.

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What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Private Parking Fine?

If you don’t pay a private parking fine in the UK, it doesn’t carry the same legal weight as a council-issued penalty charge notice. However, private parking companies can take certain actions:

• Reminders – Initially, the private parking company will send reminders urging you to pay the fine.
• Increased charge – Over time, if the fine remains unpaid, the company may increase the amount you owe.
• Debt collection – If the fine continues to go unpaid, the company may involve a debt collection agency, which will contact you for payment. This might affect your credit rating.
• Court action – If efforts through the debt collectors are unsuccessful, the parking company might decide to take legal action through the county court. If the court rules against you and you still don’t pay, it could result in a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you, which can have serious implications for your credit rating.

Consider seeking advice from consumer rights groups or Citizens Advice to better understand your rights. It’s important to note that not all private parking fines are enforceable, and it may be worth appealing if you believe it’s unfair.

How to Contact GXS Services Ltd 

To contact GXS Services Ltd, you can use the following details:

Address: GXS Services Ltd, PO Box 5179, Worthing, BN11 9HN, United Kingdom

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01903 339704

Or use the contact form.