I'm just looking for some reassurance really.. anyone who has ever had a ticket from these chaps will know what I'm talking about.

I basically stayed in a CO-OP car park in early hours of saturday morning as I was away from home shattered and wanted some sleep before making the drive back. I stayed about 4 hours in the car park and apparently the time limit is 3 hours.

About a week later I get a parking contravention notice from these peoeple, basically saying i could pay them £60 in two weeks or it would be £120.

As I always do when I'm into some kind of shit I try and google an answer Apparently loads of people have been caight by these people, but they never actually end up paying. Based on something like as it is a 'civil contract' that is entered when the car is driven into the car park, the driver is responsible and not the car owner (they got my details off DVLA as registered keeper, not necessarily driver). Apparently you can get off with technicalities like this, and for this reason you should just not reply and they will never end up taking you to court because they know they have no grounds to win and are just trying to intimidate.

I've read all the forum threads on it from moneysupermarket and pepipo or something, and was fine to just ignore it and not worry.

But today I received a letter from 'Newlyn PLC' who are a debt collection agency, and they say my case has been passed onto them from Civil Enforcement Ltd. This rocked the boat again, so I just wanted to confirm that.. they cannot collect any debt unless some kind of warrant has been issued by a civil court or something?

And any correspondance saying they can collect shit off me is pretty much lying until a judge rules this so, with my presence also being required?

Has anyone else had any dealings with these people, and what did you do? How has it turned out, and what can I expect?

Just want a bit more reassurance.. this extortionate crock of gobshite could not have come at a worse time tbh.

Nice one homedawgs

phone them up bull shit them saying you are car broke dwn ect I've done that twice nw i was going to have to go to court for one one them ha

Blag Your Way Out of Private Parking Fines

Parking tickets handed out by private parking companies are much easier to blag your way out of. This is usually because this type of parking ticket is unjustified in the first place! Private parking companies who monitor car parks fine, and ask questions later. If you receive a ticket (for example, you overstayed your allowed time on a shop car park) the first thing to do is to write a letter to the company complaining about the fine. Explain that you are not prepared to pay the fine and leave it at that.

Bear in mind that unlike councils, private parking companies must be able to prove, beyond doubt, in court if necessary, that YOU specifically, were driving your car. Therefore, unless they have video evidence of you driving the car at the time in question they will not be able to pursue your fine any further.

Furthermore, private car parking companies almost always charge excessive fines (over £100) when the law clearly states that a car park fine must be relevant to the costs incurred to the car park owner (more like £20 - £40). If your case ever went to court, a judge would almost certainly rule a fine of this sort illegal.

Private car park companies know full well that they would lose any case that went to court, so feel free to warn them that you are prepared to take them to the small claims court if they do not stop contacting you. This should get them off your back!

Parking Tickets And Bailiffs!

Private car park companies are bullies. More than likely they will send you powerful letters from 'bailiffs' demanding your money if you do not pay. Do not be scared in to paying! Be aware that no company is allowed to send bailiffs to any person until they have proved themselves right in court. If they ever did this before going to court, you could sue.

Just had a quick google.. not sure if this helps.

Dont worry about it. Providing the ticket is on a private car park, bin it and dont worry. The parking company will send you a letter to you, as they pick up the details of the owner of the vehicle from the DVLA, but their 'contract' is with the driver of the vehicle, so you can just write back saying that you arent the driver, and you are not obligated to say who is by law. Threaten to inform the police for harassment as well, and that'll get em off your back. Has happened to me many a time, and its pretty easy to just ignore the letters, as they have no legal weight none whatsoever.

Edited 25 February, 201016 yr by Trunkz