They all seem to be examples of penalties from public bodies, not private companies - so, since privitisation of the railways is it no possible that their penalty charges could be treated as just invoices, and as such are not enforceable as penalties? Thanks for links MTM, understand completely what your saying about the railways being accountable to their own bylaws, but Im still not getting whether or not these overide penalty charge statute - and if so is this set in stone in law? Oh and prob only fair to warn you that ill probably find another angle to argue from if that one doesnt work

Ok paintballs got the gist ;-) But PB, MTM and others (correct me if im wrong) seem to be saying that the railways are governed by bylaws, and penalty charge statutes dont apply. So which overrides which legally, the bylaws or unlawfulness of penalty charges?

Cool thanks guys, ill do that. Do you think its worth while asking for more ££? Was quite nice taking the credit card balance down by 100 odd quid

Im probably misinterpreting things but it seems like from what ive read about penalty charges and parking fines on various forums that private companies cant impose fines - they can only collect to reflect actual loss. So... if the railway bylaws were inplace when the railway was a public service couldnt this part of them be challenged since privitisation? Or am I starting to touch on the complicated answer here?

Bump

Hehe now I want to know the complex answer

Been reading this site for a while and havent come accross anything about this, just wondering what anyone legal-minded on here thinks about them. Cant help but notice the massive signs at train stations threatening penalty charges if you dont have a valid ticket for travel. Do they come under the same legislation as the banking penalty charges? Not had a problem with having to pay one or anything, just curious really.

Yup Ive got everything in writing. Thats a good idea, ill see if I can get the adress next time they call. (Ive had nothing whatsooever in writing from their collections dept bizzarely, so dont have the addy) That should stop them calling, but it doesnt solve the prob of them saying im in arrears when im not. I keep getting told the probs been fixed, when it hasnt been.

HSBC

Hi, A Few months ago I re-negotiated a loan with my bank. I paid of nearly all the outstanding balance with a refund of charges, and reduced monthly repayments by 50%. Wouldve thought this would be simple but since then every month since may Ive been pesred by their collections department saying the loan is in arrears, depsite the fact Ive been making payments every month on time. One of their software systems is showing that I should still be repaying at the higher amount apparalently. I sent a letter recorded delivery to their complaints dept last month detailing what has happened, asking for £25 compensation for every month they have messed me around (totalling £125) and to have my phone number removed from their records, quoting the administration of justice act and undue pressure from creditors. I got a quick reply, very apologetic, saying the problem had been solved, offering me a goodwill gesture of £125 and assuring me i wouldnt be contacted by phone in future. Got a call yesterday from their collections department, saying again my loan is in arrears! Should I go to the ombusman now? Really dont know how to sort this out.