Parking fine N. Ireland

FranknMarilyn

I got a parking fine for using a free stay car park at a retail park (the fine came from Smart Parking)
It’s my belief that the car park is for up to 4 hours free stay but they claim that it’s 3 hours free stay. My car was there for 3 hours and 20mins 

so they tried to charge me £60

I appealed the notice saying that my car was still within the 4 hours free stay but Smart Parking rejected the appeal. They provided no evidence. I have no evidence either unfortunately 

They then said I could appeal using Popla, which I tried to do but the website rejected me saying I couldn’t use the service. 

Smart Parking then said I could call them at ___ but they didn’t put a phone number!  

I then wrote them a letter to explain that I couldn’t appeal and they replied saying that they would no longer handle the appeal themselves and I was to pay £100

I have since received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus saying I now need to pay £170 or I will be taken to court. I have missed the deadline for payment because I didn’t receive this letter in time because I don’t live at the address they are sending letters to.

My question is - can I ignore this or will I be taken to court? Seems silly to take someone to court for an alleged overstay of 20mins (although it is still my belief that it is 4 hour free stay) 

I am in Northern Ireland, which I know has different laws to mainland UK, but I can’t seem to find information anywhere! 

Fruitcake

It is not a fine.

There is no keeper liability in NI, so the advice on this forum has always been for the keeper to complain to the landowner and their MP, but otherwise ignore.

It's a shame you appealed and presumably blabbed about the driver's identity. Other than complaints, all you can do now is ignore, which is what you should do if you ever get another PCN in NI.

Gr1pr

As above 

Not so Smart Parking don't issue court claims in the other nations, so won't start with a small claim in N I like in your case 

In future,  check the advice here first,  but there is no keeper liability in N I and wont be for many years,  if ever at all

FranknMarilyn

Thank you for the advice! A lot of people have since said to me I should have ignored it to begin with - I only appealed because I was genuinely confused why I was getting it when it’s a 4 hour free stay and I was there less than that. I realise now that it’s really just a scam! 

Coupon-mad

I'm surprised you didn't find any info, given the NEWBIES thread mentions NI, my signature (under every post I make) mentions NI, and we had a thread about NI and Smart Parking only the other day.

NI = ignore

Smart Parking = ignore

Debt Recovery Plus = ignore