Private parking fine

[Georgyporky]

Just received a letter from UKPC , demanding £100 (or £60 for prompt payment).
I was over the white lines in a car park that was possibly at 10-20% capacity. I was just lazy, & CBA to manouevre.
The Car Park is surface, & not part of any shopping centre etc
UKPC must have got my details from DVLA

Do I have to pay this? I've read that it's not enforceable, & should be ignored.
But I'd rather pay than land up with a CCJ & paying £100 + costs.

Any advice, please?

I think I would just suck it up rather than risk the ccj.

• Ignoring the fine may lead to legal proceedings, a County Court Judgement, and a damaged credit history.
• You have the right to appeal the fine within 28 days, providing evidence and valid reasons for contesting the charge.

https://thriftyfamily.co.uk/ukpc-parking-fine-appeal/#:~:text=Ignoring%20the%20fine%20may%20lead,of%20not%20paying%20your%20fine.

I got one almost 3 years ago. I got a couple of letters from them. I ignored them. Got threatened with legal action. Ignored that & heard nothing else. That was almost 3 years ago

I'd ignore it

Any advice that says it is not enforceable is out of date. ParkingEye Ltd vs Beavis decided that the courts will uphold these penalties unless you can show that the signs were inadequate or similar.

They may give up if you ignore it, but if they take you to court they will win.

@Georgyporky are you in England/Wales?

Answer for Scotland might be different.. .

In Scotland parking fines like this are not legally enforceable. Don't know about elsewhere in the UK.

Have a look on money saving expert, there is a lot of good advice about private parking invoices, which is what it is, not a fine.

In England and Wales, following a Supreme Court Decision in a case called Beavis, they're definitely enforceable. Since then the enforcement companies have been much more bullish about pursuing them via Small Claims.

In turn, the District Judges who hear such cases, are likely to give short shrift to defendants who are trying to wriggle off the hook.

Personally, if I knew in my own mind I'd contravened & that 'CBA' was part of my rationale I'd take £30 on the chin.

OTOH if I were more of gambler I might chance it and see how far they went but once they've escalated it and added the 'costs on summons' it'll be a lot more than £30.

Ignore and it will go away might work but, in E&W, it won't be a cert for 'getting off'.

Thanks for all your replies, I've reluctantly decided to pay.

Hey @Georgyporky - I felt I was unfairly charged in a car park recently. I paid to avoid the ccj but then put a claim in with the small claims court - the private parking firm refunded me rather than having to face the costs of going to the court….worth a shot?!

@Blinkingbonkers Out of interest, on what basis did you claim?