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Car park fine/invoice - retail park over stayed - do I HAVE to pay??
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Hi all,
I went to my local retail park for a bit of shopping for about an hour before they shut, then went to the local cinema next door (both out of town places). All the shops had shut by the time I went to the cinema. It was the opening night of Sex and the city and so the cinema car park was full. I left my car at the retail park anyway as it seemed daft to drive it across the road.
Anyway, I have now recieved a fine for £75 (or 95 if I don't pay in 14 days) from a private company as I over stayed the 3 hour time limit.
I must admit to never seeing the signs that were posted, but I've used the place for years and I guess you stop looking for these things.
Now I wondering what the legality of private parking fines are - do I HAVE to pay it - what are the consequences if I don't?
They have a picture of me entering and leaving the car park - but I suppose that is a picture of the car - not me personally.
Does anyone know about this? thanks!
I went to my local retail park for a bit of shopping for about an hour before they shut, then went to the local cinema next door (both out of town places). All the shops had shut by the time I went to the cinema. It was the opening night of Sex and the city and so the cinema car park was full. I left my car at the retail park anyway as it seemed daft to drive it across the road.
Anyway, I have now recieved a fine for £75 (or 95 if I don't pay in 14 days) from a private company as I over stayed the 3 hour time limit.
I must admit to never seeing the signs that were posted, but I've used the place for years and I guess you stop looking for these things.
Now I wondering what the legality of private parking fines are - do I HAVE to pay it - what are the consequences if I don't?
They have a picture of me entering and leaving the car park - but I suppose that is a picture of the car - not me personally.
Does anyone know about this? thanks!
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Comments
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Ignore it. If anything arrives through the post remeber YOU ARE NOT obliged to offer them any information. DO NOT admit to being the driver of the vehicle. They will contact the Registered Keeper (RK). If that's you, then write back and ask for details of the driver so you can pass the information on to the driver. It is the driver who is responsible but they will try and convince the RK that it is their responsibility. But it isn't and it will be unusal if they can identify the driver evenif it was you. Do not be intimidated by their threats. Post here if and when you get any correspondence for further advice.0
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This is NOT a fine. (Only courts can issue fines). Nor is it a fixed penalty. (Only Police and Councils can issue those).Anyway, I have now recieved a fine for £75 (or 95 if I don't pay in 14 days) from a private company as I over stayed the 3 hour time limit.
What you have, is an invoice from a private company, based on the contract terms agreed to by the driver when he entered their car park. Since they cannot prove who the driver was, they cannot enforce the contract in Court.
They will no doubt send you more official-looking letters threatening you with debt collectors, court action, etc. All of these should be filed in the circular filing cabinet.
I have been providing assistance, including Lay Representation at Court hearings (current score: won 57, lost 14), to defendants in parking cases for over 5 years. I have an LLB (Hons) degree, and have a Graduate Diploma in Civil Litigation from CILEx. However, any advice given on these forums by me is NOT formal legal advice, and I accept no liability for its accuracy.0 -
Lots of info for the OP, but what happens if the private company employ bailiffs to go knocking on the RK door.
Also whatever the legalities, isnt it morally wrong to park somewhere where you shouldnt.
If I owned the plot of land and put fences and signs up.how could I enforce the restrictions on parking?0 -
Bailiffs - rofl.0
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Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »Bailiffs - rofl.
Why take the pee...it was a serious question we cant all be as clever as you0 -
Again it was serious question. If I was to allow 3 hours parking how do I enforce it...without shutting the "gate" after 3 hoursgoldspanners wrote: »put up a gate.
Does that also mean that anyone with a drive and no gate could come home to find someone parked on it and that would be OK ?0 -
Again it was serious question. If I was to allow 3 hours parking how do I enforce it...without shutting the "gate" after 3 hours
Does that also mean that anyone with a drive and no gate could come home to find someone parked on it and that would be OK ?
you could do what has been done here,send them an invoice for the extra time spent on your land.
then chase them through the courts at great time and expense for nothing....work permit granted!0 -
Bailiffs can only act on an order from a Court. Which the private company wouldn't get, unless they can provide proof of the driver's identity.Lots of info for the OP, but what happens if the private company employ bailiffs to go knocking on the RK door.
I have been providing assistance, including Lay Representation at Court hearings (current score: won 57, lost 14), to defendants in parking cases for over 5 years. I have an LLB (Hons) degree, and have a Graduate Diploma in Civil Litigation from CILEx. However, any advice given on these forums by me is NOT formal legal advice, and I accept no liability for its accuracy.0 -
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