If you think you have been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) unjustly, or that there was a valid justification for parking as you did (i.e. mitigating circumstances), you are entitled to make a representation.
In order to make a representation against a PCN please write, quoting your PCN reference number, vehicle registration number, name and address to:
If you wish to challenge the PCN you need to do so in writing to the above address detailing why you feel that the PCN was incorrectly issued, or detailing any mitigating circumstances that you would like to be considered, where NSL Services Group will consider your initial informal appeal.
Please do not send payment at the same time as appealing, as payment is seen as admitting liability and the appeal will not be considered.
Once NSL Services Group receive your representation, it will be acknowledged in writing within 3 working days or a full reply given within 28 days.
If you would like to see sone statistics of the results of some of the appeals made in the last financial year against Penalty Charge Notices, the Annual Report document here may give you some encouragement.
Worthing Borough Council is a member of the Parking and Traffic Regulations outside London (PATROL) Adjudication Joint Committee. The Joint Committee publishes an Annual Statement of Accounts which is subject to External Audit and the arrangement and timetable for 2009/2010 can be found at:
http://www.patrol-uk.info/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=35
What are the stages of challenging the issue of a PCN?
There are three stages in challenging the issue of a PCN: an informal Challenge during the first 28 days after issue, and a formal Representation thereafter.
On average it will take 1-2 months to prepare the evidence but the case is actually heard as one of a number at a single sitting of approximately 1-2 hours.
If any appeal is made against the PCN within 28 days of the PCN being issued then it is put on hold until the informal representation is reviewed and for 14 days after the decision notice has been sent. Once a Charge Certificate has been issued (on or shortly after 56 days from date of PCN issue if no payment has been received or no valid Challenge or Representation has been made), payment due will be increased by 50%.
Attached are the guidelines with which appeals staff must consider appeals. It is important to note that all cases are reviewed on their individual merits and that these guidelines change regularly.
PLEASE NOTE: Once a ticket has been issued, it cannot be cancelled by a civil enforcement officer, so please do not ask. Threatening behaviour, verbal or physical abuse towards officers will not be tolerated, and will be reported to the police. Instead, please make a representation where the circumstances of the ticket’s issue will be considered.
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