Scotland: Court orders woman to pay £24,500 in private parking charges (VCS)

fil_cad

50p a month is more than enough.

Coupon-mad

Maybe the case was a stooge? Pour encourager les autres. <<< a question, based on experience of parking firm tactics, not a statement.

Why would anyone not properly defend a case about £24500? <<< a question, based on experience, asking generally 'why would anyone'...

In case the poster who objected might be genuine - and they do seem very angry, as anyone would be by losing this case:

I've removed the word 'stupid' after 'why would anyone?' even though it wasn't aimed at one person, because I'm not here to offend anyone.

I don't blame the victim/family for being angry about this rip-off.

I do not judge the victim, she appears to have been very unlucky but shouldn't have continued to park there.

The case sets no precedent, turns on its own facts, just like the Beavis case did.

Ignoring is still better than appealing, in Scotland.

This specific case involved hundreds of parking events. So, for example, if the actual resident had parked that car even on some of those occasions, then there would have been more by way of defence and perhaps even some grounds for appeal. Even if not, the keeper never needed to state who was driving and give the PPC that part of the jigsaw.

My signature remains unchanged - it tells people to go and read the NEWBIES thread, where the first advice is to complain to the landowner and the specific 'Scotland' advice tells people never to say who was driving.

I've edited my post to make my questions clear (in case anyone was unsure) that the words were clearly intended as general musings based on experience on this forum for years, merely putting a couple of questions to the forum for discussion.

BigColF4

I've found this whole story particularly worrying. I live in a similar type of property (also in Scotland), I have a designated space I use and my wife parks inside the complex on the wide road but not in front of a garage, on a pavement and yellow lines as in this case.

I was furious when my factor brought in Europark to start charging us to park, there is nowhere local to park the car and we both need our cars for work. My main concern was not over the fines but that it would affect the value of the property to sell it on.

Like many others I had read that these penalty charges are not worth the paper they are printed on. I've been reading about it all evening and people still seem to think that's the case?

Are their any lawyers out there who understand Scottish law that can give a definitive answer, are these charges valid?

(sorry for the essay folks)

Coupon-mad

I've found this whole story particularly worrying.

And that's the idea behind it! Nothing has changed.

You don't need a lawyer nor to pay for help. The person in question put in a weak defence, for whatever reason, and was worth going after for £24500 (if she was for real). And worth the news story if she was a stooge.

See what it's made you do? Panic unnecessarily. That's what makes me smell a rat - it would be worth their while getting a trophy case by hook or by crook. Doesn't mean the advice has changed, nor does it set a precedent - get a grip.

The 'victim' (if she was truly a victim) mucked up by not defending for whatever reason. For that sum of money she should have paid a solicitor, but you don't need to.

You haven't even stated the proper name of the company and if you mean just 'Euro Car Parks' then your worry is completely misguided!

BigColF4

Sorry yes it's Euro Car Park; I got the name wrong.

So are you a lawyer who can give a definitive answer?

Coupon-mad

No.

I am an armchair lawyer who was posted on this forum for ten years and we know a thing or two. I work in a school and not in Scotland.

mrg9999

As I understand it she ignored 200 penalties x £150 if ignored (in their T&C) is £30,000. They've let her off £5500.

Coupon-mad

Well they weren't penalties - but she didn't defend it (hardly). Wonder why?

pappa_golf

mrg9999 wrote: »

As I understand it she ignored 200 penalties x £150 if ignored (in their T&C) is £30,000. They've let her off £5500.

but the max fee is £100 , not £150 , as prescribed by the goverment , or is this not applicable in scotland and can they charge £500 per ticket? , or £1000 ,,, or ,,,,,,,,,

Ryandavis1959

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Maybe the case was a stooge? Pour encourager les autres.

Why would anyone be stupid enough not to properly defend a case about £24500?

Carly isn't stupid despite your accusations. Carly obtained legal aid (through a very difficult process indeed) and was well represented in court, the Sheriff agreed with this in his ruling. The case has gone on for over two years and lots has taken place to fight the fine. I suggest you get your facts straight before libelling against a woman who stood up for what she believed in.

I cannot believe that you have accused her of being a plant! Instead of posting libel on here you should phone the court yourself tomorrow to get your facts straight!

Shame on you. This case could have gone either way and Carly should be praised for standing up for everyone against parking tickets, not subjected to libel.

Perhaps you would like to contribute towards Carly's money order, based on your statement that a young impressionable woman could have seen and listened to?

"DON'T read old advice to ignore, unless in Scotland/NI."