Lots of excellent advice on this forum, check out the ‘stickys’ at the top. I suggest you don’t ignore the ticket, if it did go all the way to court (most unlikely) you would be in a weaker position. Do not ring (expensive) or e-mail them (no proof of receipt), put everything in writing. Write a civil, to the point letter and ask them the questions i.e. How did they get your address and proof of time scale etc. Don’t forget, they are accusing and therefore it’s their responsibility to provide evidence, which they don’t like doing (or can’t).Do not admit or deny who was driving, that way there is no incrimination. When they reply with the standard letter, be civil, thank them for their correspondence but re-ask them for the details of proof which they will have undoubtedly left out, their next letter is usually the same nonsense, then you civilly explain to them that until your receive the information you asked for you will cease correspondence with them. They then pass it to a collecting agency who will send a threatener, just say you are surprised to receive their letter as the demand is in dispute and refer them back to the ticket issuers. Now the fun will start with the collecting agency, letters will arrive threatening all sorts. Just remember this, they cannot make any demand for money or goods except with a county court judgement, they cannot enter your home, if they make threats, in law, it is harassment, they are not bailiffs, a bailiff will only call if you fail to pay a ccj. It will never get to court, if it does they have probably refused to supply your very ‘civil’ demand for proof etc.etc. and there will be no case to answer. They like to make money not spend it !! Keep copies of all the letters you send and keep all of theirs and the envelopes they come in, it’s been known that a collection agency will date a letter 14 days before you receive it so as to claim additional fees. Be strong, don’t doubt yourself, you have this forum behind you.

You are right Zamzara, I wrote bailiffs, it should have been collection agency, but as for who was the driver, neither admit nor deny.

Billy72 Don’t ring them, it cost you money, don’t admit you were driving, they have to prove it. Always write keeping copies and ask for the evidence, it’s their responsibility to provide it- they are making the accusation, when they don’t because they can’t, tell them that until they provide the information to stop corresponding, they will then get a collecting agency to send a threatener, you reply to that saying the claim is in dispute, they should leave it at that but won’t, you’ll get another letter threatening bailiffs etc., etc., but they cannot make a demand for money without a county court judgement. There is loads of legal stuff on this forum explaining your rights ,look at the stickys at the top of the parking/traffic offences forum. Don’t forget ,it’s only the driver they can pursue not the registered keeper. Keep your letters short, to the point and civil but ask them the questions, that way you will not incriminate anyone.Don't phone or e-mail the Bailiffs, write everything, keep your proof of communication,keep the the bailiff letters envelopes also to prove the date they posted the threat.It's been known they date the letter 14days before you receive it, they can then claim extra costs as you are 'out' of the '14 days or else' period.

Thanks for the welcome mrsc and as for the name—so many threads in so many forums!!! Apologies to ukaviator for the need to edit, they weren’t profanities, just the nicest name I could think of to call them.

First of all thanks to one and all for the invaluable information and support. I'm in dispute at the moment with Parking Eye. I have asked three times for proof of their accusation--it's their responsibility to provide it if they are the accuser--of course, as usual with these edit they can't and don't supply the information so I suggested until they can, please cease correspondence. On the 11th Jan. I get a threatener from ccs collect. The letter is dated 28th December2007 , that just happens to be 14 days!! so these edit can add a premium for late reply or whatever they can think of while sitting on the toilet (I've kept that clean). Keep the envelope for proof of postage and don't let them upset you, they cannot legally make any demands until they have been granted a county court judgment, if it gets as far as a summons (very unlikely) make the edit an offer in writing for a very small amount per month and make a payment with the offer, you are then honoring your debt. Next time someone parks outside your house slap a £70 'fine' on them and see what they say! it's much the same thing that these edit are doing and they only have as much power to enforce it as we have. Good luck to all of us!!.

New here,terrific informative site,lots of good people with lots of good advise,thanks to you all--you know who you are. Just got a demand from Parking Eye and must admit initially made me a bit worried over paying out £40 for an excess of 15mins in a free car park (there were mitigating circumstances) but after gleaning lots of info from these pages decided to reply to their demand and posted it to the company address, not the c/o address on the demand. I kept the letter short and to the point. I asked 4 questions 1) Where does the law state that a registered keeper is responsible for where a vehicle is parked. 2) On what or whos’ authority did you approach the DVLA for these details. 3) A copy of the photographic evidence. 4) The company address of Parking Eye for future correspondence. Number 4 is a bit daft as I sent the letter there but I thought 4 questions had a nice balance. We'll wait and see, I'll keep you informed. Parking fees are a payment for the privilege to spend money