Prior to joining this group, I had also posted my query on the FB group 'CHALLENGE YOUR PRIVATE PARKING TICKET.'
I've had a few responses basically telling me my appeal letter is meaningless and will likely have been ignored as admittedly I tried to make it sound official by using AI, thus the charge was not acknowledged.
This was the letter of appeal I sent:
"Subject: Formal Appeal – Parking Charge Reference: GCL167641
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to formally appeal the above Parking Charge Notice on the grounds of
procedural impropriety, unreasonable delay, and failure to ensure fair process as required
under the IPC Code of Practice.
1. Procedural Impropriety and Excessive Delay
The alleged parking event is stated as occurring on 31 August 2025, yet the notification
letter I received is dated 14 October 2025 and did not arrive until 5 November 2025 —
over nine weeks after the alleged incident. This delay is unreasonable and inconsistent
with the principles of fair notice. It is also contrary to the IPC Code of Practice (Part B,
Section 2), which requires prompt and fair notification to the registered keeper to allow
reasonable opportunity for response or appeal.
The letter I received on 5 November is the first and only correspondence I have ever
received from UKCPS regarding this alleged contravention. I categorically deny having
received any earlier notice or communication offering a reduced payment period.
Therefore, your assertion that the opportunity for a discounted payment 'has now expired'
is both inaccurate and unfair.
2. Failure of Accessible Communication and Fair Appeal Opportunity
Your letter specifies that payment and appeals can be made online, by phone, or by post.
However, when attempting both the automated phone system and the online portal, I was
repeatedly informed that my Parking Charge reference and vehicle registration could not
be found. This system failure denies me access to the very channels you require me to
use, effectively obstructing my statutory right to challenge or settle the charge in good
faith. Under the IPC Code of Practice (Part B, Section 2.1–2.2), operators must ensure
that all systems for payment and appeal are reliable, clear, and accessible. UKCPS has
failed to uphold this obligation.
3. Burden of Proof and Evidential Responsibility
You have stated that previous correspondence was issued; however, you have provided
no proof of postage, delivery, or acknowledgment. The burden of proof rests with UKCPS
Ltd, not with me, to demonstrate that such notices were properly served in accordance
with legal requirements. A simple assertion of issue is not sufficient evidence of receipt.
Moreover, your own letter was sent by untracked, standard post, while you demand
recorded delivery for all correspondence to you — an inconsistent and inequitable
practice.
4. Request for Immediate Rescission
Given the procedural improprieties, the failure of communication systems, and the
absence of fair notice, I request that this Parking Charge Notice be rescinded in full. I have
acted in good faith and would have paid the reduced amount had I been properly notified
within the relevant timeframe.
5. Reservation of Rights
If UKCPS Ltd continues to pursue enforcement despite these clear procedural failures, I
reserve the right to report the matter to the following regulatory bodies for investigation:
• The DVLA, regarding potential misuse of my keeper data
• The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), regarding improper data handling and
unfair processing
• Trading Standards, regarding misleading business practices and breach of consumer
fairness principles
I expect written confirmation within 14 days that this charge has been cancelled and no
further enforcement action will be taken.
Yours faithfully,"
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
the responses I received on FB were as follows:
This happens quite often. The original letter goes missing and it spirals from there. Legally the original letter is considered delivered 2 days after sending. Your AI style letter will have been ignored as it makes no attempt to defend the 'no stopping' element. However Trace are completely powerless and can be safely ignored. If they want to pursue it the parking company or their solicitors will need to send Letter Before Claim. Unfortunately your next chance to defend it will be in court where you would need to address the circumstances of the PCN and a judge will decide. In the meantime do Subject Access Request with the parking company to get copies of old letters.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The "appeal" has no relevance. They've allegedly issued a PCN and it wasn't acknowledged via an appeal
The IPC COP is now the single COP, covering BPA and IPC members
There's no misuse of data if a breach of contract took place and there's no burden of proof, PCNs are assumed to have been delivered the 2nd working day of being issued (which hasn't been the case for a few years)
Being happy to pay the original PCN fee doesn't contest their no stopping claim, so the whole letter becomes meaningless.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I've honestly no idea what to do now as from what the FB experts are saying, my next and only option to appeal will be in court, which I honestly can't go through with for the simple reason that the registered keeper of the car is my young son and he simply doesn't have the insight to be able to argue his case, and as a young lad, the potential of having a CCJ hanging over his head for the next 6 years is not an option.
