Have you got a private parking fine from QDR Solicitors and are wondering what to do next? You’re not alone. Every month, over 130,000 people visit our website for guidance on fines and parking tickets.
This article will provide you with simple details about:
- What QDR Solicitors is
- If you need to pay a QDR Solicitors parking fine
- How to appeal a QDR Solicitors parking fine
- Tips on avoiding a QDR Solicitors parking fine
- The process if QDR Solicitors take you to court
The DVLA report that over 11 million parking tickets were issued last year, which is up by 29% year on year!1
We understand that getting a private parking fine can make you feel concerned. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you. Whether you are unsure about paying your fine or you want to know how to appeal it, this article has the information you need.
Not sure what to write in your parking appeal?
You don’t need to start with a blank page.
We’ve created a free parking ticket appeal letter template that gives you a clear structure to follow.
Free editable parking appeal letter template from MoneyNerd.
Do you have to pay a QDR Solicitors parking fine?
This is where things get a little more complicated.
A Parking Charge Notice is not considered to be a real penalty or real fine. Only council parking tickets are considered genuine penalties. The Parking Charge Notice is viewed to be a commercial invoice.
When you use a private car park, the signage will state that you agree to the terms and conditions of the car park by using it. If you break these terms, the company sends an invoice to pay for the service used. Thus, they send a Parking Charge Notice.
These invoices don’t have to be paid until a court orders you to do so. So you would have to pay if the matter escalated to court and the judge rules in favour of QDR Solicitors’ client. And if it went this far, you would have to pay further expenses.
Should you pay a QDR Solicitors parking fine?
You should pay a QDR Solicitors parking fine if you agree that you are at fault and want to ensure you avoid legal proceedings.
If you’re going to pay the fine then try to pay within 14 days. You should be offered at least a 40% discount when you pay earlier.
» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer
Can you appeal a QDR Solicitors parking fine?
Parking Charge Notices can be appealed within a set timeframe. This is usually 28 days but can be longer in some instances. Sometimes the timeframe to appeal can be extended with a small payment.
If you’ve missed the chance to appeal then you’ll have to pay or run the risk of being taken to court. One other option is to ask QDR Solicitors to prove you owe the money in a letter. They’re obligated to supply proof that you owe it when asked, which could buy you some time.
The Appeal Process
Although the appeal process can vary from one instance to another, there’s typically a standard set of steps that must be followed to increase the chances of a successful outcome. Please check out the following table to learn more.
| Process: | Steps you should take: |
|---|---|
| When you receive the ticket… | You should gather as much evidence as you can to support your appeal claim and prove that the ticket was unfairly issued. |
| If you were given the ticket in person/attached to your car… | You must make an informal appeal (sent to the local authority/council that issued the PCN) within 14 days. This should be a letter with the evidence proving why the ticket was incorrectly given. |
| If it was posted to you… | You will be given 21 days to submit an informal appeal (from the day you received the letter). Your informal appeal should be a letter with the evidence proving why the ticket was incorrectly given. |
| If the informal appeal is rejected… | You will receive a Notice to Owner and will have 28 days to respond to this with a formal appeal. You can conduct the formal appeal online or via paper form. The Traffic Penalty Tribunal can send you one of these forms. |
| If the formal appeal is rejected… | You will receive a Notice of Rejection. From here, you are free to challenge the council’s verdict at an independent tribunal. |
| If the independent tribunal disagrees with your appeal… | You should pay the ticket within 28 days of the tribunal rejecting your appeal. If you don’t, the fine will be increased by 50%. If you don’t have the money to pay the fine, you should contact Citizens Advice or another debt charity. |
What happens if you ignore legal threats?
If you don’t pay and QDR Solicitors take legal action with their client, you’ll receive a court summons. This is a request to attend a court hearing or get a solicitor to attend a hearing on your behalf.
If you choose not to defend yourself or fight back against QDR Solicitors then you’ll be issued with a County Court Judgment forcing you to pay. With this order or another court order making you pay, the parking firm can enforce debt collection, even by using bailiffs.
What’s Included in the Free Appeal Template
A clear structure
The template gives you a simple framework for putting your parking appeal together, so you don’t have to work out what to write from scratch.
What you’ll add
- Your parking charge details
- Why you’re appealing
- Any relevant evidence
- What you want the parking company to do
Easy to adapt
Just replace the sections in [square brackets] with the details of your own situation and edit the wording where needed.
You’ll get the template by email so you can save it, edit it and use it when you’re ready.
Free parking appeal letter template from MoneyNerd.
Can QDR Solicitors take me to court?
QDR Solicitors will send a Letter Before Action on behalf of their client. This is a letter that must be sent to notify the motorist that they must pay the parking fine or expect to be summoned to court.
Some debt collection agencies send these but they’re just empty threats and a way to scare people into paying. When sent from solicitors they can be even scarier for the recipient, and there is evidence that QDR Solicitors will take genuine court action:
“I would give zero stars if I could. Received a default Judgment CCJ from a parking fine from an old address I’ve not lived at since 2019. Refused to consent to set aside Judgment.”
- Chris A (Google company review)
Yet again, there is other evidence to suggest that QDR Solicitors will make empty legal threats as well:
“Keep sending me threatening letters for a parking incident I was apparently involved with in 2017, 5 YEARS AGO […] they ain’t getting a bean out of me!”
- Sam’s DuckDash (Google company review)
In the end, there’s no way of knowing whether they will or won’t take you to court. But to assume they won’t is risky and could cost you more in the long run.
Ready to appeal your parking ticket?
Don’t start with a blank page.
Get our free parking ticket appeal letter template and use it as the starting point for your response.
Add the details of your parking charge, explain why you’re appealing and adapt the wording to your circumstances.
We’ll send the template straight to your email.
Free parking appeal letter template from MoneyNerd.
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