Do you legally have to pay parking tickets/fines/notices?

salami1212 · 3 May 2015 at 20:44

First I would like to explain that I am have never studied law, so my ignorance will probably be quite high.

If someone with actual knowledge, not blind knowledge could answer that'd be great.

I have a £95 parking ticket (from one of the London Councils) which has dragged on for a while now. It was handed over to CollectServices who are currently demanding £407 from me.

My understanding is that parking tickets are not a crime, and we don't have to agree to pay anything. Also in the Bill of Rights Act there it says:

That all Grants and Promises of Fines and Forfeitures of particular persons before Conviction are illegal and void.

1. Does this mean that it is invalid unless I am taken to court and lose?

The letter in front of me says 'A 'senior removal enforcement agent: Mr Henly' will be coming round to 'arrange settlement' for a 'Penalty charge notice'

Ermm..:
1. Notice? What does that even mean?
2. Senior removal enforcement agent (this is highlighted and in capital letters) Erm, I was under the belief that only Bailiffs have power. I'm not sure this fella is a bailiff, and I have never agreed anything with him so can I kindly to **** off?

Now we can argue all you want about me being a tax avoiding ****, but at the time, I didn't have the money for paying this fine so I didn't and now, I definitely won't be. Also I have intense curiosity to how far this can legally go and whether it even has any legal grounds. If you are coming in this thread to say 'just pay the damn fine etc etc' then please kindly leave as you will undoubtedly mess up this thread for any value it might have.

hyperseven · 3 May 2015 at 20:48

local council or private?

Usher · 3 May 2015 at 20:48

You didn't mention whether the ticket was issued on a council car park or private land which makes quite a difference

salami1212 · 3 May 2015 at 20:49

Council

muon · 3 May 2015 at 20:49

Was this a council parking fine or a private parking fine.

In either case they need to have won in court before doing anything. Have they done so?

muon · 3 May 2015 at 20:50

salami1212 said:
Council

Well you should have just paid the original £50 or so reduced fine after the initial appeal.

You will have to go to fighback forums for decent advice, or get a lawyer.

salami1212 · 3 May 2015 at 20:52

muon said:
Well you should have just paid the original £50 or so reduced fine after the initial appeal.

You will have to go to fighback forums for decent advice, or get a lawyer.

Why's that?

Usher · 3 May 2015 at 20:52

The TV programme 'can't pay we'll take it away' shows how these fines end up getting paid one way or another

muon · 3 May 2015 at 20:56

salami1212 said:
Why's that?

Because a court has already decided you owe £x.

If the CCJ is correct then yes you do have to pay it. Even if they don't collect it, it will trash your credit history.

George Hincapie · 3 May 2015 at 21:02

Oh look, it's this thread again.

salami1212 · 3 May 2015 at 21:03

muon said:
Because a court has already decided you owe £x.

If the CCJ is correct then yes you do have to pay it. Even if they don't collect it, it will trash your credit history.

No they havn't. It hasn't gone to court. And I'm highly doubtful it would.

salami1212 · 3 May 2015 at 21:04

George Hincapie said:
Oh look, it's this thread again.

Ah I've just searched and seen many threads. Can close this down if you like!

muon · 3 May 2015 at 21:09

salami1212 said:
No they havn't. It hasn't gone to court. And I'm highly doubtful it would.

Why you so doubtful? I don't think burying your head in the sand will work here.

[TW]Fox · 3 May 2015 at 21:10

salami1212 said:
No they havn't. It hasn't gone to court. And I'm highly doubtful it would.

You can of course take it to court if you wish. If you were wrong, you will be ordered to pay. If you were not, you will not.

The idea behind fixed penalty notices is to save both you and the council the bother of court. In return for this you pay a lower penalty.

If you were guilty of whatever the council issued FPN is for there is nothing to be gained from not paying, exercising your right to take it to court will just cost you more time, money and hassle. If you were not guilty, then raise a dispute in the way it explains you can.

muon · 3 May 2015 at 21:13

I think it has already gone to court.

http://www.collectservices.com

[TW]Fox · 3 May 2015 at 21:15

Bizarre, so what is his question :confused:

shauncr91 · 3 May 2015 at 21:19

A debt collection agency won't send someone to your door without a court order, are you sure you're telling us the whole story?

pepsilol · 3 May 2015 at 21:20

This looks like someone who has mixed up what council and private tickets mean.

muon · 3 May 2015 at 21:24

[TW]Fox;27991746 said:
Bizarre, so what is his question

The OP believes it hasn't. So what does one do when they press with enforcement without a warrant.

thebennyboy · 3 May 2015 at 22:50

salami1212 said:
I have a £95 parking ticket (from one of the London Councils) which has dragged on for a while now. It was handed over to CollectServices who are currently demanding £407 from me.

My understanding is that parking tickets are not a crime, and we don't have to agree to pay anything.

Flawed logic, you should pay it then dispute it if you think there is an issue. Should have paid it when it was £50 and then disputed it if you think it was unfair.