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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think it’s unfair I have to pay this?

56 replies

Bowlsss · 06/07/2022 13:49

I have to pay for a solicitor! For something I didn’t even know about.

I live on a new build estate. There is another number 7 who keeps getting my post and me theirs. We swap over. Nice couple, nothing suspicious it’s just annoying it keeps happening.

I have just returned from a weeks hospital stay to find I’ve got a letter for a fine of £249!

The charge was originally £80. It is from TFL. I drove near an area of congestion charge when going to great Ormond street hospital.

I rang TFL. They say I can dispute the £249 and jus pay for £80, but, I can’t just fill out the declaration and send it. I have to get a solicitor to sign it!

So not only is it a charge of £249, but I’ll be paying out ££ solicitor fee

What can I do? 😞

OP posts:
TabithaTittlemouse · 06/07/2022 13:51

I would just pay it.

Original poster
Bowlsss · 06/07/2022 13:53

Sorry should’ve added, I can’t just pay it.

I don’t have that kind f money. Trips to hospital and bask for my DC left me so skint.. I don’t even have £20 spare these days

OP posts:
FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 13:55

If you only drove near the zone but not into it you are not liable to pay; are you certain that you didn’t enter?

DDivaStar · 06/07/2022 13:56

Why does your post get mixed up ? Thats what you really need to sort out.

If its escalated because of the delay unfortunately I don't think there's much you can do.

MojoMoon · 06/07/2022 14:02

You didn't drive "near" the congestion area - the system is pretty flawless after 15 years. You will have crossed into it the zone. If you were at Great Ormond Street, you definitely did. My office is on the same road.

You aren't going to win on appeal so I would say don't pay for a solicitor.

Ask for a payment plan to pay the fine?

hannah061007 · 06/07/2022 14:04

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MojoMoon · 06/07/2022 14:05

Also it's 80quid if you pay in 14 days, 160 in 28 days and then up to 249 after 28 days so the last week in hospital is not going to win the case either.

HundredMilesAnHour · 06/07/2022 14:05

I drove near an area of congestion charge when going to great Ormond street hospital.

Great Ormond St is in the congestion zone. You don't get fined for driving 'near' it, you get fined for driving in it. Sounds like you entered the zone. Pay the fine and be done with it. It'll cost you more to get a solicitor to sign off. And if there's a next time, pay in advance or on the same day then you don't get fined and 'only' pay £15.

mm40 · 06/07/2022 14:09

How would they know if it was a real solicitor that counter signed the form…..?

TrashPandas · 06/07/2022 14:13

I'm sorry. I had a similar thing where I didn't get the initial letter, only the follow-up one saying I now had to pay an increased amount. I called TFL and cried 😳and the woman very kindly let me pay the initial fine. I paid it there and then on the phone and there was no solicitor involved... although this was 5+ years ago.

This is a great forum for advice about fines and tickets: forums.pepipoo.com/

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/07/2022 14:13

mm40 · 06/07/2022 14:09

How would they know if it was a real solicitor that counter signed the form…..?

Because it’s a crime for somebody to wilfully pose as a solicitor, so anybody making a false declaration that they were one for the OP would be pretty stupid.

TFL can negotiate a payment plan with you. As MojoMoon says, claiming this id all due to the last week away won’t work because you’ll have had longer to pay and more than one notice sent before this one.

Skinnermarink · 06/07/2022 14:13

Getting a solicitor to sign a form for something like that costs about a fiver, it’s not as dramatic as having to ‘get’ a solicitor.

HundredMilesAnHour · 06/07/2022 14:16

mm40 · 06/07/2022 14:09

How would they know if it was a real solicitor that counter signed the form…..?

Seriously?! What a dubious lack of integrity even asking that question.

Solicitors are registered on the Law Society's online directory. And impersonating a solicitor is a criminal offence.

Toooldtocareanymore · 06/07/2022 14:18

Are you sure its going to cost ££ to get a solicitor simply witness your signature? as this seems to be all you say you need to have to do, if you complete declaration, and they don't have to prepare document eg to say you didn't get initial fine letter, if that all they have to do, ring one up and get a quote -I had to do a declaration a couple weeks go, regarding a totally differnt sort of matter but on the declaration it said witness had to be practicing solicitor. I was charged £7 for first witness signature, including a photocopy charge they made to copy my id documents as I wasn't know to them,, and then £2 for each exhibit page so in total i was charged £9

PinkWisteria · 06/07/2022 14:20

Skinnermarink · 06/07/2022 14:13

Getting a solicitor to sign a form for something like that costs about a fiver, it’s not as dramatic as having to ‘get’ a solicitor.

This - I needed to do this to submit copy of a will as only had the one original. Local solicitor stamped and signed each page and it cost me exactly £5

Galliano · 06/07/2022 14:20

The OP is not disputing the fine she is making a statutory declaration that the letter was not received to reduce the fine back to the initial £80. OP you don’t have to pay if you go to the county court and get it witnessed by an official tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/penalties-and-enforcement/challenge-a-penalty-charge/make-a-statutory-declaration

ChagSameachDoreen · 06/07/2022 14:22

mm40 · 06/07/2022 14:09

How would they know if it was a real solicitor that counter signed the form…..?

Well presumably they would look up their name, discover they weren't a solicitor, and take them to court for impersonation and falsification of a signature.

BEAM123 · 06/07/2022 14:23

OP, solicitors usually only charge £5 or so to witness a statutory declaration. Hope that helps

Skinnermarink · 06/07/2022 14:23

mm40 · 06/07/2022 14:09

How would they know if it was a real solicitor that counter signed the form…..?

Because it’s a stamp not just a signature you muppet.

HDready · 06/07/2022 14:24

From TFL’s website, you only need a solicitor if you need to file a statutory declaration (which is not the case for all appeals). The solicitor would witness you signing the statutory declaration (that you would take with you to their office), and the charge is £5.

From the website, it sounds like you only need a statutory declaration if they have registered the penalty as a debt, but they would take a lot longer than 14 days.

TFL website

44PumpLane · 06/07/2022 14:24

Cost me £5 to get a solicitor to witness my signature last year.

Meraas · 06/07/2022 14:30

Why are people explaining to OP where Great Ormond Street is in relation to the CZ?

She makes multiple trips to GOSH, pretty sure she would know it's in the CZ.

OP, do you have proof that there has been a mix up with the addresses?

I would pay the £80 along with an appeal explaining the situation.

Could you ask your specialist for a letter of support as well? It does work.

Dogsandbabies · 06/07/2022 14:30

As a complete side note. I was caught out entering congestion zone a few years ago. Since then I opted to sign up for auto charge. TfL essentially has my bank details and charges as and when I enter. May save you this situation in future.

whynotwhatknot · 06/07/2022 15:36

if youre mail gets delivered to a neighbour and you swap all the time why has it taken so long to get the fines

whynotwhatknot · 06/07/2022 15:37

even a week ago wouldnt have ecalated that quickly=and why didnt you check you were entering a congestion zome