Should I Pay or Appeal Lewisham Council PCN?
Have you got a penalty charge notice (PCN) from Lewisham Council? You are not alone. Every month, 32,000 people visit this site to learn more about tickets and fines.
It can be a bit scary and puzzling, but don’t worry. In this easy-to-understand guide, we’ll explain:
- What a Lewisham Council PCN is
- How to appeal a PCN and maybe not have to pay it
- Why you might get a PCN
- What happens if you don’t pay your PCN
- Where to find more help if you need it
We know how it feels to get a PCN and we want to help you. Reading this guide will make it easier for you to decide whether to pay or appeal your Lewisham Council 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.
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In partnership with Just Answer.
How to avoid paying a Lewisham PCN
If you want to avoid paying a Lewisham 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.
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How much does a Lewisham Council PCN cost?
A Lewisham PCN can fine you differing amounts depending on the reason the Penalty Charge Notice was issued.
Lewisham Council’s own website is very vague on this subject and simply states that the fine will be stated on the PCN itself. This is quite rare as most councils list the amount of the fine for different PCN offences.
The average cost of a Penalty Charge Notice is between £60 and £120. However, you are always given a 50% reduction in the fine amount if you make your payment within the first 14 days. Therefore, you might only have to pay between £30 and £60 if you accept the fine and act fast.
You should not pay the fine if you plan on appealing it. As soon as it’s paid, the matter is considered closed and no appeal can be made.
Should you pay or appeal a PCN Lewisham Council?
Making an initial informal appeal is always worthwhile because the council holds the 50% discount while the decision for that appeal is concluded. It could even buy you some time to save up.
However, to make a representation you must wait for the Notice to Owner, which means you lose the 50% discount to escalate the PCN challenge.
In other words, you should be confident in your arguments and have sufficient evidence to win the appeal. Otherwise, it might be better to pay the reduced fine and end the matter. It can only be a personal decision. You could get help from a road traffic lawyer, but this would come at an expense.
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.
Lewisham PCN appeal process
The Lewisham PCN appeal process follows the standard PCN appeal process across much of the UK, but that doesn’t mean it’s simple. For some people, it’s as clear as mud, so allow me to clarify…
There are two possible ways to appeal. The first is an informal appeal which is available within the first 14 days. These informal appeals are either submitted online using the council’s website or in an appeal letter sent in the post. Both methods require a good excuse and evidence when necessary. Appeals can never be submitted over the phone.
If an informal appeal is rejected by the council, you will still have the option of paying the 50% reduced fine. The other option is to make a formal appeal, which is called a representation.
The representation can only be made once the 28-day deadline to pay the fine passes. At which point, the council will send the vehicle owner something called a Notice to Owner. Within the following 28 days, the PCN must be paid in full or the representation must be submitted.
More information can be found on my main appeal a ticket guide.
Penalty Charge Notice appeal excuses
You could get out of a Lewisham Council PCN for different reasons. There are a variety of excuses that have [proved successful for people in the past, such as hidden or missing road signs or even medical emergencies.
One of my personal favourites is the 5-minute rule. This is a rule that states the council cannot issue a parking ticket if you got to your car and exited the paid-for parking area within 5 minutes of overstaying.
What if your Lewisham Penalty Charge Notice representation gets rejected?
When a representation gets rejected, you again have two options. You can pay the full fine amount or you can escalate the appeal once again.
This time, the appeal is escalated to an independent tribunal at London Tribunals. The official name of the tribunal that will oversee the case and make a lasting design for all parties is the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators (ETA).
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What happens if you ignore a Lewisham PCN?
If you ignore the Lewisham PCN for 28 days after the Notice to Owner has been sent, the council will take further action to recover the money.
First, the local authority will send a Charge Certificate which adds 50% to the fine, meaning your fine could creep up to almost £200 in some cases. You’ll be given another two weeks to pay the newly inflated fine.
If you still don’t pay, the council can take court action and even employ bailiffs to collect the money or seize your possessions. This type of action comes with expensive fees which can seriously increase the amount owed.
As an example, just take a look at this forum user’s experience. They had received three Lewisham PCNs which have spiralled into a debt of around £1,000:
Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6402086/three-pcns-total-cost-1000-any-solution
Lewisham PCN pay online
The easiest way to pay a Lewisham PCN is online using the payment portal on the council’s website.
You will need your vehicle registration number and the Lewisham PCN number to identify your fine and pay. Payment can be made with debit or credit cards.
Alternatively, you can send a cheque to “London Borough of Lewisham” at the following address:
PO BOX 209
Lowton Way
Hellaby
S98 1ND
You must write your address and Lewisham PCN number on the back of the cheque. The only other way to pay is over the phone by calling the Lewisham PCN number on 020 8787 5397.
If you cannot find your Lewisham PCN and therefore have lost your PCN number, you will need to contact the council for help making a payment. I have listed the council’s email address and phone number at the end of this post.
Lewisham PCN phone number
| Lewisham PCN phone number | 020 8787 5397 |
| Lewisham PCN email address | [email protected]. |
| Lewisham PCN address | PO BOX 209Lowton WayHellabyS98 1ND |
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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.
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