faq12

Disclaimer: the author of this website is not a lawyer and this site does not constitute legal advice. All information on this website is of a general nature only.

12. I have written to them and they are still chasing me. What can I do now, do I have to pay it?

Answer: Some people write to parking companies asking forgiveness. Usually saying that they didn't see the signs or that it was only for five minutes. Almost without excpetion, the company will write back saying you still need to pay the fine.

OK, so what do you do now. The options are the same as for someone who has never written. You can pay the fine, ignore future letters, or write denying liability as explained on FAQ5. People often worry that they can no longer deny liability after writing to them, but you still can. Nothing you write is actually binding in court unless it was on a statutory declaration. So the same three options still apply. Take your pick.

A lot of people who have written to the companies in this manner worry that they have admitted liability and that they have lost the defence of "I wasn't driving". However, this isn't necessary so. For example, a letter to the company saying you parked in a car park is not a sworn document. Only if you stood up in court and swore on oath that you parked in the car park that would you have lost that defence. You would be entitled to stand up in court and say you can't remember it was so long ago (assuming that were the case). The registered owners often write letters on behalf of someone else who was actually driving (perhaps a spouse or child) but don't bother mentioning in the letter that someone else was driving because they merely want the matter dropped.

Finally if you are still worried that the costs are mounting and are concerned they will target you because you have admitted parking there, then it is worth writing a letter to deny liablity. This will stop the costs form increasing.

I have a proforma on this page that shows you how to write to them.