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Lawyer shares six circumstances where parking fines can be challenged

A legal commentator has explained six potential grounds to challenge a private parking charge notice - but the advice doesn't apply to council fines and people are urged to 'act quickly'

[A parking ticket on a windscreen]

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The lawyer's advice applies to tickets from private firms (Image: PA)

Nobody wants to return to their vehicle only to discover they've been hit with a parking ticket. Legal commentator Kal, however, has outlined six key situations in which you can dispute a fine.

Kal warns that this only applies to parking charge notices issued by private firms, and not council-issued penalty charge notices. On his Better Call Kal YouTube channel, he clarifies that tickets issued by the council are "legal fines".

Kal stresses the importance of first establishing what type of fine you've received before determining your next move. He advises that anyone who receives a parking charge notice from a private company should not simply ignore it.

This is because they have "six years" to pursue the matter. Kal does explain, however, that there are "very real reasons" why you can contest a private parking fine.

In a video, he explained: "This is when you can fight these guys and I've seen people win on these all the time. For example, the signage wasn't clear, [it was] too small, badly placed, hidden, just not obvious," reports the Liverpool Echo.

[Parking ticket on car windscreen]

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Finding a parking fine slapped across your car can be extremely frustrating(Image: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

"That really does work, because then there is an argument that no proper contract was ever formed if the sign was not properly visible in the first place. Or if the payment machine was broken and there's no reasonable way to pay, that's a strong ground for a challenge.

"Or if you paid and displayed and had a valid permit and they've just got it wrong, again, something you should absolutely challenge. Of course, there are sometimes times with these private parking authorities where it's just a straight error."

Kal explains that "genuinely mitigating circumstances" - such as breakdowns, health emergencies, or issues beyond your control - could also result in a charge being thrown out.

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A lawyer gave some advice on when you can challenge parking tickets (Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)

He also stresses that any fine must have been issued to the correct individual within a "reasonable time".

When it comes to council-issued parking fines, Kal warns that options are "slightly more limited". He says the main grounds for contesting a local authority penalty include inadequate signage or road markings, holding a valid permit or exemption, or genuinely believing no parking violation took place.

A procedural error at the point the fine was issued can also form the basis of an appeal. Kal added: "It is very difficult to challenge and win an appeal against the council."

[parking ticket on wind screen of vehicle]

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There are six circumstances where parking tickets can be challenged(Image: Getty Images)

If a driver does receive a parking fine, Kal advises first checking whether it is "legal" - meaning it must have been issued by either a council or a registered parking authority.

He points out that a valid fine should clearly state the time and date of the alleged contravention, the "exact location", the reason for the penalty, and supporting evidence. Once you've confirmed the fine is legitimate, Kal urges motorists to "act early".

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