Can you fine people on private property?

bluebell123

I recently got a fine on a UK University campus for cycling without any lights on which I know is wrong (I was only going a short distance) but I did not think that you could legally implement fines on private property which the University campus is?

What grounds do I have to appeal on as the security on site that caught me are not the police?

There are no signs around the University campus and there have been no email's sent to students to say that you will get fined for cycling with no lights. I was under the impression that you have to take suitable steps to provide information signs to say that you could get fine because car parks on private property have to display any signs if they clamp cars and these must be clearly visable.

I would be grateful for your help and advice,

Thank you in advance

muckybutt

A private company or individual cannot fine another.

I hope you didnt pay it ?

If you are at the uni then go and have words with the law dept and see what they say, but as it stands it is unenforceable.

Fender1963

I agree. I would think it'd have the same status as a parking ticket issued by a private parking company, which is unenforceable.

Probably the best course of action is to ignore until they go away.

peter_the_piper

Goodness, they are getting desperate aren't they?

agrinnall

It may well be unenforceable, but if you are studying at the university they can prevent you graduating if you have an unpaid item on your student account.

maninthestreet

Presumably you broke the university 'rules' that you agreed to abide by when you accepted your course offer. As others have said, the request to pay may well be unenforceable in a court, but the university could prevent you from graduating if you owe them money.

gilbert_and_sullivan

University preparing students for life, humourless little hitlers and so much more to be found after you graduate...that jobsworth needs to get a grip.

Buellguy

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

University preparing students for life, humourless little hitlers and so much more to be found after you graduate...that jobsworth needs to get a grip.

Or someone who is just giving a 'monetary' reminder to someone who is cycling round without lights on

1886

Just ignore it, they'll hardly take you to court. I've had a company chasing me recently over a gym membership I cancelled over five years ago. Bothered?

I think not

Aretnap

For the purposes of the Road Traffic Act a "road" is any road to which the public have access, regardless of who owns it. So if the public have access to the roads on your campus, you could in theory be prosecuted and fined for cycling without lights. That doesn't mean that your university has the right to demand money for themselves from people who do it though - it just means that the police could give you a fixed penalty notice or prosecute you if they caught you. As the others have said a "fine" from university security is unlikely to be enforceable in court, but you may well find yourself in trouble with the university if you don't pay.

thelawnet

lol, where did the money go, into Inspector Doofus' pocket?