One has to admire this deference to the rich, or 'high net worth individuals'.
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Case reference 2260245029
Appellant Haider Sheikh
Authority City of London
VRM LL24DJE
PCN Details
PCN CL03596697
Contravention date 20 Nov 2025
Contravention time 12:45:00
Contravention location Trinity Square
Penalty amount GBP 160.00
Contravention Parked or loading/unloading during a loading ban
Referral date -
Decision Date 29 Jun 2026
Adjudicator Mackenzie Robinson
Appeal decision Appeal allowed
Direction
cancel the Penalty Charge Notice.
Reasons
Mr Sheikh appeals on the basis that he works as a chauffeur for high net worth individuals. On this occasion he was directed to attend the Four Seasons Hotel. He stopped just outside, and went inside to tell the concierge that he was ready to pick up his client. He thinks that he was no more than two minutes or so.
Where yellow lines are accompanied by yellow kerb markings, there is tighter restriction on waiting than where there are no kerb markings. There is no exemption for loading or unloading. However allowing a passenger to enter the vehicle is still an exemption.
I have considered whether this could extend to briefly going into the hotel premises to inform the hotel of his arrival. I conclude that that does come within the terms of the exemption. When dealing with high net worth individuals, such as chief executive officers of banks, time is a very precious commodity, and there will also be security concerns, and so it is unreasonable to expect them to be standing outside hotels waiting for drivers to arrive. Such individuals will expect to be notified when the car is present, and only then come out. I therefore conclude that it was reasonable for Mr Sheikh to go into the hotel to inform the concierge of his arrival. The observation period allowed by the officer was understandably short, but does not contradict the account put forward by Mister Sheikh.
I am therefore satisfied that this contravention did not occur, and I allow the appeal.
