Contractual Parking Charge Notice? Read This

Have you received a Contractual Parking Charge Notice, and you’re not sure if you should pay or appeal? You’ve come to the right place. 

Every month, over 130,000 people visit our website looking for guidance on fines and parking tickets. You’re not alone in this. 

In this article, we’ll provide simple and useful information on:

•  What a Parking Charge Notice is.
•  If you are required to pay a Parking Charge Notice.
•  How to appeal a Contractual Parking Charge Notice.
•  Tips to avoid getting a Contractual Parking Charge Notice.

We understand getting a private parking fine can be very frustrating. But don’t worry; we’re here to help you learn more about Contractual Parking Charge Notices and what you can do about them.

Let’s get started!

What is a Parking Charge Notice?

A Parking Charge Notice is a parking ticket and fine from a private company. When you use a privately owned car park and don’t pay for the correct amount of parking – or don’t pay at all – you can be issued a private parking fine. 

Sometimes the Parking Charge Notice is left on your vehicle for when you return. But most often, it is sent to you in the post. Most private car park management companies can retrieve the registered vehicle owner’s address by supplying the offending vehicle’s registration plate to the DVLA. 

It’s important to differentiate a Parking Charge Notice from a Penalty Charge Notice. The latter is a council parking fine or council fine for a minor motoring offence. These are considered real penalties and should be dealt with differently. 

Do You Have to Pay?

In many circumstances, parking tickets are not enforceable.

It’s a bit sneaky, but last time I had a parking fine, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.

Not only did I save £50 on solicitor fees, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.

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What is a Contractual Parking Charge Notice?

A Contractual Parking Charge Notice is just another name for a Parking Charge Notice. The word “Contractual” is included because the motorist agrees to a contract when entering and using a private car park. This should be stated on car park signage. 

For example, by using the private car park you agree to pay (the correct amount) for your stay. So if you don’t pay or overstay the length of time you paid to park, you have broken the terms and conditions of the contract. 

And this is why some Parking Charge Notices can be called Contractual Parking Charge Notices. The word “Contractual” may also be included to sound more formal and intimidating to the recipient. 

You might not have to pay

In many circumstances, parking tickets are not enforceable.

The last time I had a parking ticket, I paid £5 for a trial with an Online Solicitor called JustAnswer.

They advised me on the appeals process and helped me to create a successful airtight defence. It’s a bit of a no-brainer!

Try it below

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Contractual Parking Charge Notice G24

G24 is one car park management company that is well known to send out Contractual Parking Charge Notices to drivers. They are one of the biggest car park management companies, overseeing the operations of scores of car parks the length and breadth of the UK. 

“I have received a contractual parking notice from G24. I have not responded to it. I have been told by a friend that I should just ignore it and throw the letters in the bin because they are just worthless pieces of paper. Is this good advice?”

• FAKENAME1 (Legal Beagles Forum)

“I’ve received a parking charge notice today from G24 saying I was parked on private property on 1st August 2020. They state ‘By entering and parking the vehicle on our client’s private property, the driver agreed with G24 limited to be bound by the terms and conditions of parking shown. The terms and conditions were clearly displayed at the entrance to and in prominent places within the car park.[…]”

• Guest (Legal Beagles Forum)

G24 will usually list the exact terms and conditions the motorist has broken when using the car parks they manage. This is to show that the contract was broken. 

How much is a Contractual Parking Charge Notice from G24?

Contractual Parking Charge Notices can currently be made for up to £100. However, new UK laws are being introduced to stop private car park companies from fining motorists so much. The new laws, which are anticipated to come into action in 2023, will prevent these companies from fining drivers more than £50 in most cases – or a little more in London. 

That means G24 will soon only be able to charge these smaller amounts. And in all cases now and in the future, G24 must offer a discount to the driver if they pay the fine within the first two weeks. 

Are Parking Charge Notices legally enforceable?

You can be taken to court if you don’t pay a Parking Charge Notice. If you are subject to legal action and subsequently lose the case, a judge can issue an order for you to pay. 

If you’re taken to court but don’t fight your case, the judge can serve you with a County Court Judgment (CCJ). This is another type of court order that makes you responsible to pay. When a case goes to court, you may end up having to pay court fees. 

Although some parking companies might not take you to court, you can never be sure they won’t. Legal threats alone may be enough to get you to pay, which is why they usually threaten court action in all circumstances.

Do you have to pay a Parking Charge Notice?

You must pay a Parking Charge Notice within 28 days or make an appeal. Otherwise, you could be taken to court and have to pay further costs. You might hear stories and advice online about ignoring Parking Charge Notice, but this isn’t always good advice.

Yes – some people do ignore Parking Charge Notices and never get taken to court, meaning they never have to pay. But that’s not a certainty, so ignoring these parking tickets is a risk. 

Hire a Parking Solicitor for less than a coffee

If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea. 

Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.

For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.

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Do I need to pay a parking fine from G24?

You’ll need to pay or appeal the fine from G24 within 28 days of the incident. If you are planning to pay the fine, it’s recommended to do so within 14 days so you get to pay the discounted fine instead of the full fine. 

Appeals can be made directly to G24 in writing. The appeal must state why you want the parking ticket cancelled and may require further evidence to support any claims. 

G24 then has up to 56 days to respond to your appeal. If they reject the appeal you can escalate it to Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA), which is a free service. This is because G24 is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA). 

Is a Parking Charge Notice a criminal offence?

A Parking Charge Notice isn’t a criminal offence. You can be fined for the parking contravention, but you cannot get points added to your license or get a criminal record.