Free Traffic Legal Advice

IAS is a kangaroo court whose decisions don't bind motorists, so don't lose any sleep over this part of the process.  You indicated ages ago that you were ready to tough it out to court if need be.

Having said that, it's never a smart idea to refer to evidence that can be provided later instead of actually providing evidence now.  I don't have time now to scroll up and down this thread to look for the answer, but did you refer to the specific section of the Equality Act and did you upload a copy of the birth certificate as I suggested?  If not you can do so now, redacting your wife's details if you want to continue shielding her.

 I did refer to the equality act, pretty much copy and pasted from your suggestion and uploaded my sons birth certificate.

I assumed they'd have video of her in the cas as they sent me pictures of the car on the PCN but my bad. I don't have any evidence as such but could get the booking email from my wife for the baby show and speak to Hulaboo for eye witness statements if it's useful. The question is, is it useful to do that now in ias or just let the kangaroo court do it's thing and gather evidence for real court?

just for those following this - the IAS response- no suprise there -

"The Appellant should understand that the Adjudicator is not in a position to give legal advice to either of the parties but they are entitled to seek their own independent legal advice. The Adjudicator's role is to consider whether or not the parking charge has a basis in law and was properly issued in the circumstances of each individual case. In all Appeals the Adjudicator is bound by the relevant law applicable at the time and is only able to consider legal challenges and not factual mistakes nor extenuating or mitigating circumstances. Throughout this appeal the Operator has had the opportunity consider all points raised and could have conceded the appeal at any stage. The Adjudicator who deals with this Appeal is legally qualified and each case is dealt with according to their understanding of the law as it applies and the legal principles involved. A decision by an Adjudicator is not legally binding on an Appellant who is entitled to seek their own legal advice if they so wish.
The signage at The Parkgate Autocare car park is prominent, clear and unequivocal in its terms; After a vehicle has entered the car park, a maximum period of 5 minutes is allowed to purchase a valid ticket or make payment by phone.
The Appellant's vehicle entered the site at 10.22 and left at 13.12, with the ticket being purchased at 10.44, 22 minutes after the vehicle had entered the site.
Despite paying for parking, the advertised terms were not complied with, and the operator has established that the Parking Charge was properly issued in accordance with the law.
The reasons for the late payment could amount to mitigation, which the operator has duly considered.
If the operator felt that the mitigation warranted it, they could have withdrawn the Parking Charge. They have chosen not to do so.
As stated above, as adjudicator I am only able to consider legal argument. The Appellant in this case has no legal argument.
Having considered all the issues raised, I am satisfied that the Appellant failed to comply with the advertised terms for parking, and the operator has established that the Parking Charge was properly issued in accordance with the law.
This appeal therefore has to be dismissed.

What's my next step? just wait for a court date?

As above, keep a keen eye out for a Letter Before Claim or Letter Before Action etc. - in the meantime their debt collectors will write a series of letters.

One important point - as they have 6 years to raise a claim, if you move house within that time, and the matter is unresolved, you will need to contact Excel (ideally their Data Protection Officer) informing them of your new address for service. We see quite a few cases where court claims end up going to old addresses, allowing the claimant to acquire a judgement in default, requiring set-asides and lots of unnecessary hassle that could be avoided by updating them with any new addresses.

Absolutely spot on, HCA.