PCN Legal Action Costs and Ramifications

Mag15

Hi All,

I’ve received a fine from a private parking company and would be grateful for any advice people can give.

In brief, my situation is as follows:

• I spent a night at a hotel in Essex last September and was assured parking was covered as part of my stay.
• In late January, I received a £170 ‘Letter Before Final Action’ from Civil Enforcement by post. This letter claimed they had attempted to reach me multiple times before this, but I am certain that it was the first such notice I had received.
• On the advice of this forum and using the recommended template, I posted a short rebuttal to Civil Enforcement explaining the situation and enclosed an email from the hotel (attached for reference) confirming that I was a paying customer at the time the fine was issued and that I had been given permission to park in their car park.
• Today, I have received a letter back from the Civil Enforcement Legal Team acknowledging my response and informing me that it remains their position that “the Parking Charge Notice was correctly issued”. They claim that the full amount remains outstanding (also attached). They have informed me that I have 14 days to pay the full amount or else they will proceed with legal action, from which point I will be obliged to pay the full amount plus “court fees, interest on the sum owed, and foxed legal costs”.
• I am reluctant to pay given that I believe I was within my rights to park at the hotel and have written confirmation from them confirming this. On the other hand though, I am growing concerned about the potential costs and ramifications of having legal action brought against me. My main concern is that the cost will spiral even more than it had, as I will struggle to pay the £170 fine as it stands, let alone additional interest and legal costs.

Is anyone able to advise on how I would be best to proceed and in particular, what additional costs I am likely to incur if I do not pay within the next two weeks?

Many thanks!

Jame4ters

Don’t pay.

It’s not a fine.

Based on the numerous other threads on this forum the likelihood of you having to pay are next to zero

James_Poisson

As above it is not a "fine" it's a scam invoice from a scummy parking company are you certain that your V5C has the correct address on it or have you moved, that is the usual reason for not receiving their silly letters?

You shouldn't even consider paying scammers like this and costs will not "spiral" their claimed charge isn't £170 it cannot be more than £100 they have given it to powerless debt collectors that have added on another £70 try on fee.

Why haven't you made a formal complaint to the hotel or the head office (if a national company) about their contractors hassling a bona fide paying guest and told them to call them off? It appears to be their error which they have confirmed with that communication.

Car1980

Small claims costs are extremely limited, so don't worry about that. When Civil Enforcement make a court claim in house they stick to the local Liverpool and northwest area anyway. Essex would be a long way for them!

Ignore the clowns but get back on the hotel chain. Find the CEO email and send them everything and tell them you are absolutely disgusted and to call off their appalling parking contractor.

Coupon-mad

Is anyone able to advise on how I would be best to proceed and in particular, what additional costs I am likely to incur if I do not pay within the next two weeks?

I don't know why people ask this because the NEWBIES thread post 2 tells everyone how to proceed and that the total risked is £212 all told (but losing is as rare as hen's teeth).