Thank you for guidance. Given the lack of time before the discount period elapses tomorrow, I was hoping for a quick assessment as to whether we have a case to appeal without giving away too much confidential info.
The PCN was issued with Code 12.
Copy of Challenge:-
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally challenge the above Penalty Charge Notice issued on 22 June 2026 in Westminster.
The PCN states that a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) first observed my vehicle at 12:30, and subsequently
issued the notice at 12:36, alleging that the vehicle was parked without a valid ticket.
However, I can provide proof that a valid parking ticket was purchased at 12:37, just one minute after the PCN
was issued. A copy of this receipt will be attached to this representation.
Under the Deregulation Act 2015, a mandatory 10-minute grace period must be applied to vehicles parked in paid-
for parking bays after the expiry of paid time or where payment is being made. This grace period exists to allow
motorists a reasonable opportunity to obtain a ticket or complete payment.
The timeline of events clearly demonstrates a genuine and continuous intention to comply with the parking
requirements:
• The vehicle was observed at 12:30
• The PCN was issued at 12:36
• Payment was successfully completed at 12:37
This very short interval shows that a valid ticket was being purchased at the time of enforcement. There was no
attempt to avoid payment, and the ticket was purchased at the earliest opportunity after arrival.
Given normal circumstances such as locating a payment machine, reading the tariff, or completing the transaction
via phone/app, this timeframe is entirely reasonable.
In this case:
• The observation period lasted only 6 minutes (12:30–12:36)
• Payment followed almost immediately (within 1 minute)
• This establishes clear compliance rather than contravention
• The CEO did not allow sufficient time for a reasonable grace/observation period
Given these facts, I believe the PCN has been issued prematurely and not in accordance with statutory intent or
fair enforcement practice.
I respectfully request that the PCN be cancelled on the basis that:
1. A valid parking ticket was purchased
2. There was a clear and evidenced intention to comply
3. The grace/observation period applied was insufficient
4. No loss was caused to the authority
Please confirm cancellation of this notice at your earliest convenience. I have attached a copy of the parking
receipt as supporting evidence.
I did not receive the response but I called in to inquire after noticing on the gov.uk website that the PCN is active and that they have made a decision on the challenge. On the call I was informed that the challenge was rejected on the 2nd of July, although I have not read the response, I believe full rate is charged 14 days from that date. I did request for the response to be resent, but I believe the gist of it would be detailing how the 10 minute grace period was misrepresented in my challenge.
In any case, I am not positive that an appeal would be successful as the infraction charged is accurate, it was a genuine mistake with the late purchase of the parking ticket, but I would be glad to be proven otherwise!
Thank you for taking the time on the long read through.
