Northern Ireland - S Parking multiple Fines

ulsterrugby01

I’ve read the forum and as I’m in NI believe that these companies can’t recover anything or take you to court, however I’ve lots and lots of tickets against me and wanted to make sure I’m correct.

I’ve no idea about the number of parking charges (invoices) as I’ve binned them
weekly.

It’s normally just the usual letters which get binned or Returned to sender but I’ve now received the below in an email from bwlegal and wonder will they act on it or what I should do, to date I’ve done nothing.

“Despite our previous communication to you about this account the sum of ££££££ is still outstanding. We now have to bring to your attention that payment of the balance of ££££ is required by 12 April 2025 to avoid further action. If you fail to make payment within the specified time, accept the pre-approved repayment offer detailed below, or contact us to discuss how you can repay the balance, then without further notice, our client may request that we proceed to instruct a firm of Irish Solicitors (“our Irish agents”) to recover the balance by way of legal action against you in your local County Court.”

Any help appreciated or thoughts. 

Umkomaas

Multiple unpaid parking tickets brings vulnerability to legal action more likely in whichever country of the UK you reside.  It's not the case that the creditor can't take you to court in NI. But liability only rests with the driver in NI; it cannot be transferred to the registered keeper as in England and Wales. 

Whether the BWL threat is bluff or real cannot be determined until/unless you receive a court claim. 

Exactly how much are they chasing you for?

Have you spoken with the NI Consumer Council?

ulsterrugby01

This one is for approximately £700 but I’ve always read that they can’t chase you in NI and have over 50 in the last 4/5 years.

hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I thought I would just wait my time and see what happened and nothing else I can do.

ChirpyChicken

There are certainly court claims in northern Ireland but a lot less likely 
However dont let that letter panic you

ulsterrugby01

ChirpyChicken said:

There are certainly court claims in northern Ireland but a lot less likely 
However dont let that letter panic you

The letter was from BW legal.

what do you mean court claims, from smart parking?

fisherjim

ulsterrugby01 said:

This one is for approximately £700 but I’ve always read that they can’t chase you in NI and have over 50 in the last 4/5 years.

Sounds like you have been chancing it and they might have caught up with you, although PPC's are scummy scammers, we don't condone this type of thing, it's what makes landowners engage them for.

ChirpyChicken

Parking operators do issue court claims in N.I ive even seen court claims on the lists in N.I from APCOA many years ago, but that could have been a non parking matter, who knows

Smart dont normally use BWL - Just wait and see what happens  -And for those who say Smart dont issue court claims they certainly do for multiple tickets 

Umkomaas

Smart Parking have hardly ever undertaken litigation in E/W where the legal procedure is well known and utilised by the private parking industry. They have never sued in NI where there is virtually no track record of private parking claims (brought to our attention). Multiple tickets does add a different complexion, but even then, if I was betting on this, I'd say they're not likely to (but I'm not a betting man, so not an expert on odds!). 

ulsterrugby01 said:

This one is for approximately £700 but I’ve always read that they can’t chase you in NI and have over 50 in the last 4/5 years.

hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I thought I would just wait my time and see what happened and nothing else I can do.

How come you've racked up that many?  Do you set out to deliberately ignore car park signage? I think you're edging towards playing Russian Roulette.  One chamber is always loaded! 😮

ulsterrugby01

Umkomaas said:

Smart Parking have hardly ever undertaken litigation in E/W where the legal procedure is well known and utilised by the private parking industry. They have never sued in NI where there is virtually no track record of private parking claims (brought to our attention). Multiple tickets does add a different complexion, but even then, if I was betting on this, I'd say they're not likely to (but I'm not a betting man, so not an expert on odds!). 

ulsterrugby01 said:

This one is for approximately £700 but I’ve always read that they can’t chase you in NI and have over 50 in the last 4/5 years.

hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I thought I would just wait my time and see what happened and nothing else I can do.

How come you've racked up that many?  Do you set out to deliberately ignore car park signage? I think you're edging towards playing Russian Roulette.  One chamber is always loaded! 😮

It was just laziness when I had been told and read they can’t pursue you in NI. 

Le_Kirk

ulsterrugby01 said:

It was just laziness when I had been told and read they can’t pursue you in NI. 

They cannot pursue the keeper but, if they find out the driver's name, look out!

ulsterrugby01

Le_Kirk said:

ulsterrugby01 said:

It was just laziness when I had been told and read they can’t pursue you in NI. 

They cannot pursue the keeper but, if they find out the driver's name, look out!

I was thinking that, but how could they find that out?