VCS Fluttering Ticket / Valid Permit - We won...

Lagroid

Go to page 15 for my Witness Statement which can be used to help others

On the 04/08/2022 I went to work like any other day, and displayed my parking permit on my front window (like I always do). After my shift, I returned to the car to find a PCN (Parking Charge Notice) from a private parking company called Vehicle Control Service Limited. In my car the permit had fallen from the window and was on the floor (still visible from the outside of the car). 

The card on my window from Vehicle Control Service Limited didn't contain any information about who had left the PCN or provide any contact details. 

Several weeks later I received aPCN Notice To Keeper with a bill of £100 (reduced to £60 if I pay within 14 days). I then proceeded to appeal to Vehicle Control Service Limited. I explained the situation, and provided photos of the permit. Sadly Vehicle Control Service Limited rejected my appeal. Didn't acknowledge the permit falling from the window but cited the rules and signage about having a valid permit. 

I was left with only 2 options. Pay the £60 or appeal to the IAS (Independent Appeal Service). There was a note from Vehicle Control Service Limited attached to appealing, explaining that if I appeal they remove the £60 reduced offer. 

I know I have a permit and have a right to park, so I have appealed. This appeal is still ongoing, however, I've since read online that IAS isn't independent at all, in-fact unlike POPLA which regulates the BPA, they're not government run or approved. They're run by Gladstone's solicitors which makes most of their money perusing... private parking charges. I've done lots of reading on IAS and I'm almost certain they will reject the appeal. 

So my question to the community:

If this does go to court after the inevitable rejection from the IAS, what would be my chances of winning? I've shown the permit, you can see how flimsy it is.

Note: Please don't tell me to contact my work. They won't get involved in ANY parking issues.

ab2000

Read the newbies thread first.

Contact the landowner, even if it is your workplace and write to your MP.

Ignore everything until you receive a letter before action/claim.

Lagroid

ab2000 said:

Read the newbies thread first.

Contact the landowner, even if it is your workplace and write to your MP.

Ignore everything until you receive a letter before action/claim.

Thanks,

I've actually wrote an email to my MP today. 

Do you know (from experience) how often this company issues court summons?

Grizebeck

Lagroid said:

ab2000 said:

Read the newbies thread first.

Contact the landowner, even if it is your workplace and write to your MP.

Ignore everything until you receive a letter before action/claim.

Thanks,

I've actually wrote an email to my MP today. 

Do you know (from experience) how often this company issues court summons?

Very rarely does vcs deal with cases at doncaster magistrates but it does have a record of doing so in relation to local byelaw offences (bawtry)

Lagroid

Is there a list of successful/unsuccessful court cases in relation to private parking anywhere that the community know of?

It would be interesting to know if judges tend to be lenient in the scenario I'm in. 

Grizebeck

Lagroid said:

Is there a list of successful/unsuccessful court cases in relation to private parking anywhere that the community know of?

It would be interesting to know if judges tend to be lenient in the scenario I'm in. 

No as there over 50 cases per week heard in the county courts and they have no relevance to your case

Lagroid

So it's pretty much a gamble when a private ticket ends up in a county court? There's no way of knowing which way it will go based on any statistics? 

Grizebeck

Lagroid said:

So it's pretty much a gamble when a private ticket ends up in a county court? There's no way of knowing which way it will go based on any statistics? 

Thats Correct

KeithP

Lagroid said:

So it's pretty much a gamble when a private ticket ends up in a county court? There's no way of knowing which way it will go based on any statistics? 

Of course you can influence the result by providing a quality Defence followed by good evidence and Witness Statement.

If your question had been - of those people who defend themselves well, how many win their case? - the answer would be 'a very high proportion'.

Lagroid

KeithP said:

Lagroid said:

So it's pretty much a gamble when a private ticket ends up in a county court? There's no way of knowing which way it will go based on any statistics? 

Of course you can influence the result by providing a quality Defence followed by good evidence and Witness Statement.

If your question had been - of those people who defend themselves well, how many win their case? - the answer would be 'a very high proportion'.

That makes sense, thank you.

I suppose I was trying to get people's opinion on if the defence of the permit falling from the window was good enough?

The permit holder is warped and flimsy. Would you get the opportunity to show this in court do you think? 

Thanks for the reply.

Snakes_Belly

I have defended myself at court against a company called Excel Parking Services Ltd who are owned by the same director.

To your questions. They are very likely to pursue you through the courts. They may pull at the last minute.

This company and Excel feature frequently on this forum and the success rate of beating them at court is high.

Usually forum members who come to the process early and follow the process through stand the best chance of success.

If as you say the permit was flimsy then your defence will be similar to fluttering ticket cases. Was it windy?