Free Traffic Legal Advice

As per the link above, were the retail premises open? was the cinema open?  Is it a genuinely shared carpark or are certain sections reserved or separated?

Case law says a pub car park is a public place when the pub is open, and not a public place when the pub is closed.

Are there any signs up governing the use of the car park?

Just to manage expectations, your son should explore all options, but expect to be embracing bus travel.

Just one last thought, a not guilty plea will push out the date when he loses his licence/ has it revoked. It might be worth a not guilty plea just for that purpose.

An update.

We opted for court and after dragging out the replies and then getting it moved to our local magistrates my son was up this morning. 56 day ban, which all things considered is a good result and one we are happy with. 

Yes, thanks for the update.

I must say I am surprised. A a disqualification when points are available which would see revocation is clearly contrary to the Magistrates' guidance.

I usually suggest that such an outcome is unlikely. I'll modify my suggestions in future, but I must say it is unusual. Anyway, probably a good outcome for him. Whether he will still be saying that when he finds out the insurance implications is perhaps not so certain! 

Thanks again for he feedback. As you can see, it does help.

PS. The court should have made him aware that although his licence has not been revoked under he New Drivers' legislation, he will still have to apply for a new one when his ban finishes, but this will be a full licence. His old one has been revoked because his ban for was 56 days.

For totting up purposes, it is the date of offence that matters (albeit that there are no points to count towards totting up).
For being bent over by insurance companies - it has to be declared for X years from date of conviction.

N.B. Different insurers variously want to know about claims and convictions in the last 3 or 5 years.

The car park was quiet, although not deserted, and it was not part of a big big car meet etc, although the carpark is known for that and hence probably why the police was about.

No doubt the police will comment in their statement that the car park is known as a big car meet, which is a polite way of putting boy racers meet.