2 tickets in one week!

saskia297

Hey guys,
Thankyou in advance for taking the time to reply!

I'm in the unfortunate poosition of recieving 2 Parking charge notice invoices from 2 separate companies in the same week!

The 1st is from Minster Baywatch, for £60.00
and the 2nd from Euro Car parks for £70.00
I have read the entire forum, but just wanted to check....

• Has anyone had any dealings with either of these companies regarding disputing charges
• If I don't pay them (as advised by this forum) and it does go to court, and I lose, what happens then - do I get a criminal record, or a CCJ? and what costs am i likely to have to pay? (ie full or reduced cost, any court costs)
• Do I write in and dispute, or should I wait and see if they get in contact?

I'm training to be a doctor (hence I can't get a criminal record), and really don't have the money for these charges, so would be greatful for any help and advice that anyone can give!

Thankyou!!!
Saskia

Crabman

• If I don't pay them (as advised by this forum) and it does go to court, and I lose, what happens then - do I get a criminal record, or a CCJ? and what costs am i likely to have to pay? (ie full or reduced cost, any court costs)
• Do I write in and dispute, or should I wait and see if they get in contact?

Hi Saskia,

I've split this from the discussion topic into its own thread.

Do not write to them. Only take notice if you receive court papers. These companies make their money through people paying up and then being intimidated into doing so.

You mentioned going to court and losing - that's never happened before. As for a criminal record - you've committed no crime in parking your car. Regarding the CCJ - this will only come if they take you to court (very unlikely), you lose the case (never happened before) and you then fail to pay the court.

Others will be along to reassure you but hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to ask

McKneff

hI Saskia, just do what Crabman says, they are private companies and these 'invoices' are unenforceable. Ignore everything they send you. Just shred it and dont worry about it. It is very unlikely to get anywhere near court. Dont even open the envelopes.
More people will be along to say exactly the same thing so just hang in there. Have a look at the site called PePiPoo - its really interesting.

peter_the_piper

May I suggest the OP edits out who might have been driving, you never know who's watching.

saskia297

I hope someone can reply to this soon, as I have to send letters tomorrow if I'm doing it!

I've now recieved invoices for the above...

Do I now send the template letter to them

OR do I continue to ignore them?

Thanks again
Saskia

[Deleted User]

Ignore... they may send a few more letters with threats of court then they normally get lost because it is just a scam. I say forget the template letters.

pogofish

To reiterate - Do not send any letters and do not contact them in any way and ignore all the harrassing letters from them and their fake debt collectors/solicitors.

All this will do is confirm your identity to them and prolong matters.

The only time you respond is if you get properly issued court papers and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

And you won't get a criminal record, CCJ or anything like that. To do you any damage, they would have to take you to court, win and you would have to fail to pay the judgement within a certain period (@28-30days OTOH). Which is a most truly unlikely scenario!

saskia297

OK, thanks guys
I will do as suggested and ignore them
I will let you know if I get a court summons
Thanks again
Saskia

andyman2303

Do not ignore them, that is foolish.

You do have to pay them - they have invited you onto their land, and have the T&C's on the signs on entry/around the car park. If you contravene these rules, you are breaking the contract you effectively sign when entering the area; it's all to do with contract law.

If you don't want to pay it, fine, appeal the decision - they refund a large amount of tickets if you do appeal, and as someone else said, if it goes to court and you have a legitimate reason why you shouldn't pay, I.E you were in Ibiza at the time and have the tickets to prove it, then you will win.

Simply ignoring the letters is a bad idea as they WILL pass it on to Debt Collection agencies, who WILL contact you about taking you to County Court.

And you won't get a CCJ - it's a civil case, not criminal; as urbankoala stated

[Deleted User]

andyman2303 wrote: »

You do have to pay them - they have invited you onto their land, and have the T&C's on the signs on entry/around the car park. If you contravene these rules, you are breaking the contract you effectively sign when entering the area; it's all to do with contract law.

Correct but you only have to pay their actual losses. This is usually the grand sum of £0.00

Anything over and above their actual losses is likely to be viewed by a court as a penalty and as anyone with two brain cells to rub together knows, you can't charge a penalty under contract terms.

sarahg1969

Of course they can issue a summons (well, they ask the court to issue it, and serve it upon you), and you CAN get a CCJ.

They could issue a County Court summons (a summons is not only for criminal matters), and failure to respond would result in a County Court judgment (which would be registered if you failed to pay within 28 days).

However.... none of that is likely to happen.

They are very unlikely to issue a summons. If they do, and you defend it properly, they will not obtain judgment against you. Even if they did obtain judgment against you, if you paid within 28 days, it would not be registered, and would not go on record.

So, as advised, continue to ignore.