Is this worth appealing?

Iarehealer

My wife went to a local retail park with the kids and parked in this bay. As the picture shows, she didn't quite line up with the bay. I'm not sure if it matters, but the bay is the last in the row, so no other vehicles are being affected by this.

I accept that this falls within the definition of not parking within the markings of the bay, but I am still amazed that this warrants a ticket.

My first instinct here is to appeal, as this seems like an extremely harsh penalty for such a small and unimpactful mistake.

Any advice, insights or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Gr1pr

Its currently an unregulated industry,  so it is what it is, no point appealing,  so ignore them 

Read the official MSE advice regarding private parking company charges

Iarehealer

She has had a ticket go to court in the past. We settled it at mediation, but that experience has somewhat put me off ignoring tickets as it wasn't a pleasant experience.

My current plan is to appeal to the land owners and appeal the ticket with the parking company. Just wondering if it's worth taking any further than that (POPLA and ultimately defend in court if it comes to it). Based off some preliminary research, I am wondering if this would class as de minimis in court?

Car1980

 We settled it at mediation, but that experience has somewhat put me off ignoring tickets as it wasn't a pleasant experience.

Ouch. They discontinue if you offer zero at mediation. You were scammed.

Yes it would be de minimis in court. But it would never get as far as a judge deciding because they just get sent to DCB Legal who discontinue.

I wouldn't even bother with Popla. The only though process there will be "is it over the line? Yes or no?"

You know the process with court now anyway. It's only online paperwork and the only reason you thought it was unpleasant was because you wrongly thought it would go a hearing. You know it won't now. 

But try with the landowner.

Iarehealer

When you say discontinue, do you mean they will just drop the case and not take it to a hearing?

Car1980

Exactly. They are a bulk litigator who file 1000+ claims a week using a template. If half are defended it would be a massive logistical exercise to travel to 500 court hearings around the country every week. And not a very profitable one.

Multiple tickets £600+ tend to go to hearings because more powers are available for recovering the money (assuming they won) and it becomes more profitable.

Iarehealer

If you were in my position with this ticket, would you just ignore or would you appeal to landowner/parking company and if unsuccessful just refuse to pay and call their bluff on court proceedings?

I understand that this is not legal advice btw!

ChirpyChicken

Iarehealer said:

If you were in my position with this ticket, would you just ignore or would you appeal to landowner/parking company and if unsuccessful just refuse to pay and call their bluff on court proceedings?

I understand that this is not legal advice btw!

you have already been advised

Le_Kirk

Iarehealer said:

My current plan is to appeal to the land owners and appeal the ticket with the parking company. Just wondering if it's worth taking any further than that (POPLA and ultimately defend in court if it comes to it). Based off some preliminary research, I am wondering if this would class as de minimis in court?

No, COMPLAIN to the landowner appeal to the PPC

Iarehealer

Le_Kirk said:

Iarehealer said:

My current plan is to appeal to the land owners and appeal the ticket with the parking company. Just wondering if it's worth taking any further than that (POPLA and ultimately defend in court if it comes to it). Based off some preliminary research, I am wondering if this would class as de minimis in court?

No, COMPLAIN to the landowner appeal to the PPC

Ah yes, important distinction, thank you!

@Car1980 - Apologies if this has been lost in translation, but I was wondering if you would recommend still appeal to the PPC or just ignore the tickets entirely?