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IPC Parking Fine – Appeal or Pay?

Scott Nelson MoneyNerd Janine Marsh MoneyNerd
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Scott
Scott Nelson MoneyNerd

Scott Nelson

Debt Expert

Scott Nelson is a renowned debt expert who supports people in debt with debt management and debt solution resources.

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&
Janine
Janine Marsh MoneyNerd

Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

Janine is a financial expert who supports individuals with debt management, cost-saving resources, and navigating parking tickets.

Learn more about Janine
· May 27th, 2024
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ipc parking fine

Have you received a private parking fine from IPC and are wondering whether to pay it or appeal it? This is the right place for you. Each month, over 130,000 people visit our website for 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 So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, don’t worry. This article will provide you with simple and clear information on:

  •  The role of IPC in parking fines.
  •  Whether you should pay your parking fine.
  •  How to appeal against your parking fine.
  •  Understanding the difference between a fine on private land and public land.
  •  Tips to help you make a successful appeal.

We know that getting a private parking fine can be frustrating and confusing. But you’re not alone; we are here to offer plenty of helpful tips and examples to guide you through the process. 

Most Ticket Appeals Succeed

In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your parking fine.

It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, 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.

Chat below to get started with JustAnswer

*According to Martin Lewis, 56% of people who try to appeal their ticket are successful and get the charge overturned, so it’s well worth a try.

Did you receive an IPC Parking Fine?

The IPC does NOT issue Parking Charge Notices.

Although not as transparent, it is an alternative to the British Park Association (BPA). Therefore, if the parking fine claims to be from the IPC, it’s a fake.

Contact the authorities and the IPC and give them all the details on the ticket.

They should launch an investigation. Even if you believe the fine is fake, don’t ignore it. Just in case it’s genuine and you made a mistake! This applies to any other fines from different companies, such as Ardpark, for example.

Note: Never ignore a Parking Charge Notice.

Always check who issued it but don’t use the contact details on the ticket. Instead, contact the operator directly by going online!

Should You Appeal Against A Parking Charge?

Suppose the parking fine is genuine and issued by a reputable operator and ATA member.

In that case, they should have an appeals process. ATA members must let you know about their internal appeal procedures when they issue a ticket.

They must also let you know about independent appeals procedures.

Appeal Process Steps

I know that the appeal process may sound challenging. But don’t worry; I’ve put together this table to help you understand each step you should take. For more information, please read our detailed guide.

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.

When an internal appeal is complete, motorists not happy with the outcome can approach the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). Note: The IAS doesn’t accept grounds to appeal that don’t affect a fine’s lawfulness because of things like mitigating circumstances.

Although the IAS is managed by the IPC. It doesn’t make decisions on appeals. As I previously mentioned, these are made by independent practising lawyers.

Successful Appeal Case Study

Situation

Initial Fine £100
Additional Fees £171
Total Fine £271

The Appeal Process

Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.

Total Fine £271
Cost of legal advice £5

JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.

Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

The IPCs Appeals Service

Since the IPC was set up in 2015, its Independent Appeals Service has drawn a lot of criticism. Furthermore, the way it operates is more opaque than the British Parking Association’s scheme.

However, its role in private parking enforcement is important.

Tips on making a successful Parking Charge Notice appeal

The key to making a successful Parking Charge Notice appeal is to be honest and follow the correct parking fines appeal process. In my experience, the more proof you have to support an appeal, the better the chance of an appeal being upheld.

I also suggest you use an appeal letter template that sets out exactly how to word a parking ticket challenge.

The sort of evidence I suggest you provide should be:

  • A valid ticket for the amount you paid to park
  • Photos of road markings and parking signs that were faded, unclear or misleading
  • Witness statements if available
  • An invoice from a repair garage if you had broken down

Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.

Get started

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What if you don’t pay?

If you don’t pay a Parking Charge Notice, the issuer could instruct a debt collection agency to recover what’s owed for parking violations penalties. Moreover, they could begin legal proceedings and if a judge issues an order to pay, you’ll have no choice but to pay.

A County Court Judgement (CCJ) could be registered on your credit file which stays there for six years.

You’ll have trouble getting any sort of finance until the CCJ expires.

How do you complain about an operator to the IPC?

The IPC will deal with complaints against its members, providing you have filed an official complaint with the operator first.

You can refer the issue to the IPC if an operator breaches the Code of Practice.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

So, for example, providing they’re IPC members, and they did not deal with a complaint appropriately

You can file a complaint with the IPC about an operator online. They should launch an investigation into the matter.

Note: The IPC does not accept or deal with individual parking charge complaints.

IPC Parking Contact Details

Website: https://theipc.info/
Tel number: 01565 655467
Address: Waterside House, Macclesfield SK10 9NR
Independent Appeals Service: https://theipc.info/independant-appeal-service

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.

Try it below

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

References

  1. Which? – The rise of private parking fines
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The authors
Scott Nelson MoneyNerd
Author
Scott Nelson is a renowned debt expert who supports people in debt with debt management and debt solution resources.
Janine Marsh MoneyNerd
Appeals Expert
Janine is a financial expert who supports individuals with debt management, cost-saving resources, and navigating parking tickets.