This is the appeal which i made and which was rejected by Bromley council - would this be good grounds to appeal at tribunal?
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally appeal the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued to my vehicle at the Croydon Road/Langley Road box junction.
The alleged contravention pertains to my vehicle’s rear wheel being on the line at the very edge of the box junction. I believe this situation falls under the legal principle of de minimis and respectfully request that the penalty be reconsidered.
Grounds for Appeal
1. Application of De Minimis
The principle of de minimis recognises that minor, trivial infractions that have no material impact should not be penalised. In this instance, my vehicle’s rear wheel barely entered the box junction, and this slight encroachment did not hinder traffic flow or obstruct the junction in any way.
2. No Obstruction of Traffic
The junction was entirely clear during this brief moment, and my vehicle did not impede any other road users. The purpose of the box junction is to ensure smooth traffic movement, which was fully maintained in this case. Additionally, there was a clear path ahead for my vehicle to exit the box junction.
3. Camera Angle and Evidence
The enforcement camera footage appears to have been zoomed in on my license plate, thereby shortening the perspective of the junction. This perspective does not accurately show the full circumstances of the alleged contravention, including the clear path that was available for my vehicle to move forward.
Supporting Legal Precedents
• The legal principle of de minimis non curat lex (the law does not concern itself with trifles) is well-established in adjudicating cases involving minor infractions.
• In Case Reference 216036762A, the adjudicator allowed an appeal where the vehicle was stationary for a brief period in a box junction without causing any obstruction, recognising that such a trivial breach should not be penalised.
• Similarly, in Case Reference 2160303194, an appeal was allowed where a vehicle remained stationary for a brief moment without blocking traffic, and the adjudicator deemed this a minimal infraction.
Request for Reconsideration
I kindly ask that you review this case with a view to applying the de minimis principle and consider the limitations of the evidence provided. Given the trivial nature of the alleged contravention and the lack of impact on traffic, I request that this PCN be cancelled.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Yours faithfully,
D