Free Traffic Legal Advice

So, here is the sign for the bay where you parked :-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ntTv6QEa1HyFFW1V6
The PCN looks OK to me, so really, your representations would be on the lines of a grovelling apology, also pointing out you did pay for some time, albeit not enough.  The PCN looks OK to me.

So why didn't you go and look at the sign ?

@iispartan those have been replaced by The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022, but the council will say that the contravention wording does cover the grounds on which the CEO thought a penalty was payable.

Here are The Tower Hamlets (Parking Places) (Map Based) Order 2019 and the map tile, which from a quick glance appear to be in order.

However the CEO's photos do not show any contravention:









Obviously you don't want to mention that at any time prior to a tribunal hearing as you don't want to give them a chance to get some better photos of the signs. A plea for discretion is probably best at this stage.

Also can you show us a screenshot of your electronic payment please?

Please post a draft of your representation on here before sending it.

I'm going to suggest an unconventional approach, though it is ultimately your decision how you wish to proceed.

Essentially we know that Tower Hamlets of all places will never grant a discretionary cancellation based on the grounds you propose to use. However by saying you paid via RingGo, you're admitting that you were aware of the requirement to pay, which in this case is a somewhat unnecessary admission.

In essence we want this to get to the tribunal without the council giving the case any real thought or consideration, so if it were my PCN I would:

1) Ignore the roadside PCN and just wait for the notice to owner
2) Make a one line representation against the notice to owner saying that contravention did not occur
3) Make a one line appeal to the tribunal saying the contravention did not occur
4) Wait till the day of the hearing and then point out to the adjudicator that the photos do not show any contravention (though it would be best to have someone represent you because otherwise the adjudicator can simply ask if you paid / if you knew you had to pay, and you must tell the truth).

This could be seen as a high risk high reward strategy, but I can't see how else you could beat this particular PCN.

Most people can get someone to represent them but as a last resort you can always go for a hearing on the papers, though that is more risky.

I’ve always been told a decision on the papers have like 1% success rate.

It's actually 37%, but that's a bit rubbish really.

We often find that the CEO notes are inaccurate or wholly missing, so just because the CEO said he'd make a note doesn't mean that he did, nor does it mean the council will produce those notes at the tribunal stage.

As a general rule if the photos don't establish a contravention the appeal will be allowed, I can't think of a single case where blurry CEO photos have seen an appeal refused. The exceptions tend to be where the motorist produces photos of his own, or makes admissions in the representations, or turns up at the hearing and signs like a canary, so those pitfalls are all easy to avoid.

Still awaiting NtO but just wanted to check if I’m right in saying the working around the 28 days in the PCN does not comply with Schedule 2 para. 2 @   https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/71/schedule/2
(d)that the penalty charge must be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the alleged contravention occurred,

Perhaps an informal appeal on this if I’m correct would be a decent strategy?