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?

[Mamyalynne]

Re the said company

Message from Ed

Just to explain - sometimes companies like to send out scary letters from their lawyers and sometimes you just have to make some changes so as it doesn't appear your publication is libelling (regardless of whatever is "true").

I will be removing references that managed to circumvent the filter.

All the best,

Ed

September 2013

So I apologise, feel free to remove my link.

[EDDIE51]

NO private parking company can issue a fine or a penalty, they can only issue an invoice , this is often made to look like a penalty notice but it is not it is only an invoice.
The only way they can enforce it is by going to the county court and asking for a judgement. The court is unlikely to issue a judgement for the full amount asked, there are records of the courts only issuing a judgement for a nominal sum of £1 . In addition to this the parking company has to pay court costs which will be up to £1500 and CAN NOT be reclaimed from the person charged with parking.
So 'yes' they can go to court but are very unlikely to be stupid enough to do so.

[Everhelpful]

Thank you,Eddie,I only asked because I was given a ticket at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle,believe it or not I was in a Disabled Parking Bay with a valid Disable Badge,apparently you are now required to Register your badge with Reception,which means a long walk there and back.Ludicrous.

[EDDIE51]

Everhelpfull I have never heard of having to register a 'blue badge' before you park. I am sure it is illegal ( as well as daft) . I have a blue badge for my wife and there is nothing in the rules that says you can be asked to register it.
The only similar condition is that if you want to drive into central London without paying the £10 congestion charge you need to register your registration number with TFL ( Transport for London) before you set off. Same applies to free use of the Dartford tunnel, but that is NOT parking.

[mrs_overall]

Eddie, one of my local supermarkets uses one of these parking companies to monitor their car park. They have pay and display machines. However, if you are disabled and have a blue badge, you can register your details with the supermarket and are then allowed 3 hours free parking

[Everhelpful]

Thanks for your reply Eddie,There is no way I am going to pay it by the way.