Parking — Private
Received a charge from a private parking company? These are not fines in the legal sense — they are speculative invoices. You have the right to appeal, and the operator must follow a strict code of practice.
The law that applies
Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019
Requires private parking operators to follow a government-approved code. Gives motorists the right to a robust appeals process.
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Sections 56–90: Keeper liability provisions. Only applies if the operator correctly identifies the driver or follows the keeper liability process.
The process — step by step
Appeal to the operator within 28 days
Send a formal appeal letter to the parking company. Fight My Corner drafts this citing the Code of Practice and their own signage obligations.
Independent appeals service (if appeal rejected)
BPA members: appeal to POPLA (free). IPC members: appeal to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). Our letter prepares you for this stage too.
County Court defence (if they sue)
If they issue a County Court claim, you have the right to defend it. Most operators drop cases that reach this stage when they see a proper defence.
Escalation path
POPLA (BPA) or IAS (IPC), then County Court
The British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC) each operate free independent appeal services. Check your parking notice to identify which scheme the operator belongs to.
Important warnings
Do NOT ignore a private parking charge — if they obtain a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you, it will affect your credit rating for six years.
Check whether the ticket is from a private company or a council — the appeal process is different. A council Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) falls under the Parking — Council category.
The 28-day appeal window is strict. Missing it makes a successful appeal harder.
Tips & practical advice
Before appealing, photograph the signage at the car park. Poor or unclear signs are one of the most common grounds for a successful appeal.
Keep all correspondence — every letter, email, and the original parking notice.
What Fight My Corner covers for this dispute
What's included
- Formal appeal to the parking operator
- Challenge based on signage failures or keeper liability errors
- Response to a Letter Before Claim
What's not included
- County Court representation (we generate the letters; you submit them)
- Criminal traffic offences
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Legal disclaimer · Fight My Corner provides letter generation tools, not legal advice.