Do not pay it, they are a private company and it will cost them more to take you to court, the ticket is just to frighten you and then you pay and they laugh. If it's the council then by all means contact them and explain and I guarantee you that the council will rescind the ticket. FYI you are not breaking any law, someone took them the private firm to court and won. I say again do not pay them, let them go and take a running jump into the Thames.Today i received a £70 parking fine from a private company for overstaying by 20 minutes. My reason for overstaying and not moving my car within the time allowed is that I was legally not safe to drive as I was abiding by the DVLA regulations and treating my hypo to raise it to 5mmols and then waiting 45 minutes to ensure the safety of me, my baby and other drivers.
I've not contacted parking company as im waiting on a call back from citizens advice about this however if I don't pay within 8 days they'll increase the charge and take it further....so was I to risk all these lives and break the law???? Confused.....
That's exactly what I'm talking about!!!If it's a council car park contact them, they'll probably waive the fine. If it's a private car park ignore the letters. You've had the first letter, you'll get another with the fine doubled. Then cos they're such nice people they'll send another offering to accept some reduced amount or further action will be taken. About 2 weeks later you'll get a letter from some made up debt recovery service. Just a different letterhead but from the same parking company. Do nothing and that will be the last you ever hear from them. At least that's been my experience from quite a few parking mistakes.
Where have you been parking? The north pole?If it's a council car park contact them, they'll probably waive the fine. If it's a private car park ignore the letters. You've had the first letter, you'll get another with the fine doubled. Then cos they're such nice people they'll send another offering to accept some reduced amount or further action will be taken. About 2 weeks later you'll get a letter from some made up debt recovery service. Just a different letterhead but from the same parking company. Do nothing and that will be the last you ever hear from them. At least that's been my experience from quite a few parking mistakes.
I guess if OP sends enough proof it may get waivered. Contract law not like criminal law. Intent isn't any arguement in civil law.I had a fine waived when one of my children was ill. I wrote to the car park people at the address on the ticket, and explained with proof (told them they could phone the shop who came out to check we were ok) and only had to pay an admin charge.
If you can show you had good reason to overstay, most companies will be sympathetic. As you were clearly back at the car but just couldn't drive, it's not like you were taking advantage to have a quick coffee or something.
Write to them @stellson Be polite, apologise and give as much detail as you can, and then you have a chance of getting it waived or at least paying a lesser amount.
Maybe this thread has run its course? The OP said she will pay the fine.