IAS Appeal – Who Are They & How Can They Help?
Got a private parking fine and feeling unsure what to do? This is quite common. Each month, over 130,000 people visit our website seeking advice on fines and parking tickets.
Which? found that unclear rules and various payment methods in private car parks are partly to blame for an increased number of fines.1 But don’t worry; by reading this guide, you’ll understand the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) and how it can help you with your appeal.
In this article, we’ll help you:
- Learn who the IAS is and what they do.
- Find out if you really have to pay that fine.
- Understand what an IAS appeal is.
- Learn if the IAS is a legit service.
- Know who can make an IAS appeal.
We know how annoying a private parking fine can be. But we’re here to help you make the best choice for your situation.
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.
What is the Independent Appeal Service (IAS)?
The Independent Appeals Service (IAS) is a certified dispute entity that motorists can use to escalate private parking ticket appeals. If you’ve received a private parking ticket, known as a Parking Charge Notice, you might qualify to escalate your appeal to this independent and impartial service for free.
If the car park operator is a member of the International Parking Community (IPC), there is a good chance that you will be allowed to escalate your PCN appeal to IAS.
What is an IAS appeal?
An IAS appeal is made by motorists when they contest the appeal decision made by the car park operator.
The driver lodges the complaint and evidence, and then the car park operator makes a response. The driver and company have the option to make further responses to one another until all evidence has been submitted.
Once all details are presented, the IAS appeal will be handled by a group of adjudicators who make a binding decision. The decision might only be binding for the car park operator.
Appeal Process Steps
Understanding the appeal process is crucial to tackle any obstacles efficiently. That’s why I’ve put together this table that explains each step you should take.
If you want to learn more about your PCN or the appeal process, be sure to check out our specialized guides.
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| On receiving a council PCN | Read the notice, keep it, gather evidence and note all payment and challenge deadlines. |
| Windscreen or handed-to-driver PCN | An informal challenge may be available before the Notice to Owner. Early challenge can preserve a discount under the authority’s policy; 14 days is not a universal final appeal deadline. |
| Postal PCN or Notice to Owner | Normally make formal representations within 28 days as stated on the notice. Do not assume there is an extra informal stage. |
| Representations rejected | The Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to the appropriate independent tribunal, normally within 28 days. |
| Appeal unsuccessful | Pay by the deadline given in the decision or obtain advice on any available review. Further statutory charges can follow if you do neither. |
| Other ticket type | Private parking charges and FPNs use different procedures; follow the actual notice. |
Further guidance: Traffic Penalty Tribunal; Citizens Advice.
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.
Who can make an appeal?
You can make an IAS appeal if the car park company subscribes to the IAS Scheme. It’s possible that the operator only allows escalated appeals to a different independent appeals group called the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) service. If that’s the case you should appeal to POPLA rather than IAS.
Moreover, you must have already appealed directly to the car park operator and used their internal appeal process.
Once your appeal has been rejected, you can use IAS if you escalate to an IAS appeal within one year of getting your appeal rejected by the car park operator.
A complete flow chart to help you understand if you can make an IAS appeal is available here.
Standard Vs Non-standard IAS appeals
IAS appeals can be standard or non-standard. A standard appeal can be made for free when you lodge the IAS appeal within 21 days of your appeal to the parking operator being rejected.
If more than 21 days have passed since your initial formal appeal to the parking company was rejected, you must lodge a non-standard appeal. There are two main differences between standard and non-standard appeals:
- Non-standard appeals cost £15
- The result of a non-standard appeal is binding for you and the car park company, whereas a standard appeal decision is only binding for the car park company.
Feel more confident before you send your appeal
Writing a parking appeal can be difficult when you’re not sure what to include or how to structure it.
Our free template gives you a clear starting point, helping you:
- Set out what happened clearly
- Explain why you’re disputing the charge
- Include the important details
- Avoid starting from a blank page
Simply adapt the template to your own circumstances before sending it.
Free parking appeal letter template from MoneyNerd.
IAS appeal accepted example
IAS appeal can be accepted when you’re not to blame and shouldn’t have received a ticket in the first place. Here is one driver’s experience:
Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5052878/ias-appeal-successful
When an IAS appeal is accepted, the car park company must cancel the parking ticket and you won’t have to pay. You also won’t be asked to pay any other fees or charges that were applied to the parking fine since it was created.
» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer
IAS appeal dismissed?
It’s also possible that the adjudication panel at IAS sides with the car parking company. In such an event, they will not ask the car park operator to cancel the ticket. If you made a standard IAS appeal, the decision isn’t binding for you, so you’re not forced to pay, although it can be difficult to get out of paying if the company takes further action.
However, if you made a non-standard appeal, the decision is also binding for you and you’ll have to accept legal responsibility to pay.
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.
References
