Civil parking ticket

[mrs_overall]

I've been on a course today and when I arrived at the training company (which is on private land) I asked where I should park. I was told to park in any bay in front of the building, so I (and the others on the course) did.
When I returned to my car I found I'd been issued with a Civil Parking Notice Charge (�60). The box ticked on the form is "parked without clearly displayed valid permit" and handwritten after this is "in reserved bay."
Painted on the ground in this bay were 3 initials which meant nothing to me. It turns out they are the initials of a solicitor who works in the same building as the training company. No one else in the car park got a ticket.
I'm sure this has been asked before, but do I have to pay this charge?

[Bathsheba]

Yes Mrs O. Pay it!! Don't do what i did and think if i did nothing then they wouldn't bother chasing me. Don't take any notice of sites advising you to fight it- there's been a recent court case. Will post link if i can find it.
And don't delay, cos it will go up to �85 in a week or two!
Found it...http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-feature s/8/news/15246/parking-penalty-just-judge-rule s

[mrs_overall]

Oh pants!

[Bathsheba]

It's up to you Mrs O! I went back to the carpark with my camera and took photos etc, determined to fight it, but when they sent me the 2nd ticket demanding �85 i lost my nerve and paid up, and i'm glad i did now.

[monkeyeyes]

Have a word with the Training Company. Explain that you only parked in that particular spot at the behest of their agent........
Also have a word with the Solicitors and explain. Some of these Civil tickets are issued by the companies themselves and they may not yet have forwarded the tear-off portion to the debt recovery company.

Have to dash for a while, can explain more later, if you like :o)

[Bathsheba]

Be careful Mrs O. But don't worry- i know where Doc Spock lives so if you land a hefty fine i'll be round to his to get the money for you! xxx

[happyjo]

How long have you got to pay the fine?

If there are a couple of weeks I would try approaching the training company and tell them you have received this ticket after being directed by their staff to park in the said bay. Do this soon while it is fresh in your mind and also fresh in the mind of the numpty who told you park there.

If you don't get any joy in the time period, pay it!!. You can then if you want to issue tham with an ultimatum.. pay up or I will go to the local press!!!!

I hate these people who try to make a fast buck for nothing!!!!grrrrrrr

J xx

[north star]

DO NOT PAY. all the help and encouragement here.

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?s=131afadd a0c2c506047458fc4d873408&showforum=30

[mrs_overall]

Excellent site, north star - many thanks.

I will pay this ticket when hell freezes over!

[Bathsheba]

Wow, Mrs O- you're braver than me!
Good luck- keep us informed please :) xxx

[mrs_overall]

OK bathsheba, will do!

I intend to wait until they contact me (the registered keeper of the car) and then I will (truthfully) tell them that several people have use of the car. I will then ask THEM to provide evidence of who was driving. They will be unable to do so and I have no obligation in law to give them the name of the driver(s. Hopefully that will be the end of the matter.

Watch this space!