Penalty charges (not car parks)

halibut2209

Was just wondering as I went bowling the other day, and on the lane there was an emergency button with a sign saying that misuse would lead to the termination of your game and a fine of up to £1000.

Is this inlawful, given the whole premise of companies "fining" individuals.

It also got me to thinking of the emergency cords in trains. Or is there dispensation for railways (I would assume this is the case)

Trebor16

halibut2209 wrote: »

Was just wondering as I went bowling the other day, and on the lane there was an emergency button with a sign saying that misuse would lead to the termination of your game and a fine of up to £1000.

Is this inlawful, given the whole premise of companies "fining" individuals.

It also got me to thinking of the emergency cords in trains. Or is there dispensation for railways (I would assume this is the case)

On trains they are covered by legislation if someone pulls the emergency cord without a valid reason.

In a bowling alley the only way they could fine you if there was legislation that allowed them to do so.

sarahg1969

Trebor16 wrote: »

In a bowling alley the only way they could fine you if there was legislation that allowed them to do so.

Which there never will be, of course. Even train companies can't fine people. Or councils. Or the police. They can issue penalty notices, but only a court of law can issue a fine. However, it's unlikely that there is any legislation that allows a bowling alley to issue a penalty notice.

27col

I doubt whether they could force you to pay anything. But I suppose it is more likely that they would just ban you in future. Of course, in a way, that would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. As they would lose money if they did actually ban someone.

sarahg1969

27col wrote: »

I doubt whether they could force you to pay anything. But I suppose it is more likely that they would just ban you in future. Of course, in a way, that would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. As they would lose money if they did actually ban someone.

However, they probably don't want the custom of someone who goes pressing the emergency button for no reason. I expect there is some expense involved on their part when that happens.

TrickyWicky

It's a deterrent. Most people see the word fine and are instantly impressioned with the idea that there is authority there to keep them in line.

Kite2010

Isn't the "penalties" on trains (i.e. pushing the emergency button for no good reason) covered by railway bylaws, so are actually penalties which the rail operator can seek if you decide to have a laugh and push the button?

sarahg1969

Kite2010 wrote: »

Isn't the "penalties" on trains (i.e. pushing the emergency button for no good reason) covered by railway bylaws, so are actually penalties which the rail operator can seek if you decide to have a laugh and push the button?

Yes, that's correct - as Trebor16 pointed out in post 2.

Stigy

Kite2010 wrote: »

Isn't the "penalties" on trains (i.e. pushing the emergency button for no good reason) covered by railway bylaws, so are actually penalties which the rail operator can seek if you decide to have a laugh and push the button?

Yes. On trains the potential of £1,000 penalty is that of successful prosecution at Mags court. The £1,000 is a maximum and realistically the actual fine will most likely be around £100 or so.

Penalty Notices for Disorder can be issued by Police and some staff on trains of £80 for misuse or public communications equipment such as PA stsyems etc. This method is aimed at keeping low level crimes out of court.

robredz

The bowling alley would likely find some bottom feeder like Retail Loss Prevention to chase the "non fine"

AlexisV

If the button stopped everybody's game and for some reason they couldn't restart them, there were 30 lanes and each lane had paid £10, in theory they could pursue you for £300.