Private Car Parks - Do They Take You To To Court If You Don't Pay?

[Jayne-123]

I recently parked my car outside Lidl in the dark and forgot to get a ticket and have been fined £60 (£100 if I don't pay up in 2 weeks). My question is do these companies really take you to court if you don't pay up?

[phleb]

No, don't pay it. They always try it on. They don't take you to court, but will send you reminders often. Ignore them. The only ticket you pay is the traffic warden one, not the private ones.

[murraymints]

as with phleb...they may send threatening letters ..ignore themthey will go away ..its not public highway and normal road traffic laws do not apply

[sir.prize]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets

[murraymints]

great link sir !

[sir.prize]

Jayne-123 - you have NOT been fined. Only the police or the council (through the court) can fine you if they issue a Penalty Charge Notice.

Private parking companies issue Parking Charge Notices - but these are unenforceable invoices. Ignore it; also the silly threatening letters which will follow.

[cully]

Bearing in mind the replies to Jayne's query, would she be within her right to report Lidl to the police for attempted extortion??

[murraymints]

Think I'd just let it disappear...they could ban her from shop !

[mrs_overall]

They are inviting you to pay an invoice - ignore it

I've had a couple of these and haven't paid.

Be prepared for a mountain of threatening letters but ignore those as well

[Jayne-123]

Thank you all, I will take your advice and not pay!

[factor-fiction]

>would she be within her right to report Lidl to the police for attempted extortion

No. No crime has been committed. There will be notices displayed advising car drivers that by parking they are entering into a contract with the car parking company. The terms will almost certainly have been printed. It's just that few car parking companies will take you to court because the court very rarely enforces them.

[cully]

Thanks, Factor, I stand corrected.

[Everhelpful]

What about Paid Parking Company are they allowed to issue enforceable Tickets which MUST be paid?

[Everhelpful]

I typed Paid Parking Company the change!!

[Everhelpful]

Why won't you accept: Parkin I (I have spelt it differently to see if it gets posted)!

[Mamyalynne]

It always changes that one.

[Everhelpful]

I wonder why,mamya?

[Mamyalynne]

If there has been an explanation I haven't seen it - may be a legal thing?

[Everhelpful]

Thanks,Mamya.

[Mamyalynne]

You mean this company....


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2600715&page=1

[NoMercy]

I got one earlier this year and never paid it.