To those operating under the delusion they can ignore these tickets I quote advice by respected user Bernie_the_Bolt. This is consistent with the advice given by letshelp earlier in this thread. As you will see Bernie too talks about the RISKS of ignoring these notices, just as I have done. I hope this helps you to see that I am not talking rubbish.

I am NOT going to contribute any further to this thread. I do NOT accept any of the accusations that are being thrown around and simply say you should be more informed before making these sorts of statements. I have spent enough time trying to explain to you why ignoring these documents is not a safe thing to do and if you cannot get this through your head then you can forget my help. Companies LOVE it when you ignore their mail because it makes it easy to prosecute. Which defense are you going on, I didn't see the signs (recent verdict = that doesnt matter), I wasn't the driver (the judge will ask you: well who was then!?), there weren't any losses (this has recently been proven not to apply look at clamping cases). The actions of many parking organizations are watertight unlike i would say your argument. And I used penalties in the loose ("nonlegal") term.....

Ball park - think about it - paying the increased penalties, court costs, your solicitor's costs, charges and costs that they impose on you by the end of the process, etc. These things are not cheap......

Right, I have done a bit more investigation as to the claims being made in this thread. The WatchDog video is a complete joke. The man Anne Robinson interviews is a very dodgy looking guy and I don't believe he is a very well respected laweyer. It is just his own OPINION, and he got onto the show by saying something that he thought would be a bit controversial he got his 15 minutes of fame. Well done him, bad luck to the people who take his advice. Did you hear the other presenters responses? Annie said 'Right...' in a really disbeleieving tone, and Anita said 'Great legal advice!?' all sarcastic - I am not sure they knew exactly what they were in for as it was broadcast live. I also looked at the court case quoted where a parking company lost - I ALl I can say is that it depends upon the parking company. I agree that person didn't have a very strong case but also the original poster had a bit of luck on the day. The idea of a punitive penalty charge is NOT forbidden by prviate companies as many of you might imagine; clamping companies are permitted to issue some kind of release fee that exceeds the 'actual cost' of doing so and banks write it into the contract that you have to pay overdraft charges which have also been deemed 'fair' in appeal. DId you notice the judge said that the signs could not be ignored? Did you notice the original poster said he "was not sure of the way it would go until the very end" - not quite oh ignore it it will be OK, is it?? The situation is closing in I am afraid to say and I advise to pay up as soon as possible to avoid being caught in the net when the gloves come off - 60 pounds will sound like nothing when you are facing charges more like 600!!!

To anyone who belives they can ignore a parking charge on the basis of these suggestions - I wish you the very best o fluke in handling the matter when ou can get to court. However if you are on a low income, or may have trouble dealing with a court case lacking the education and training, let alone solicitor's fees, that are necessary to stand even the slightest chance of winning a case along one of these lines ..... I suggest strongly that you pay the original fine before it gets any bigger. If you have stacks of money in the bank all i can say is I wish you luck in fighting with your loopholes and technicalities - but the loopholes are closing and the number of cases companies like CPS are winning are increasing day by day. I am sure you do not need reminding that HER MAGESTY'S Criminal Prosecution Service uses the initials of CPS, and they do not play games or take on cases that they think they do not have a strong chance of winning. But if you want to fold official letters into airplanes and fly them around the room then I will leave you to do so in the playground. Just don't be surprised when the judge doesn't have the same sense of humour about it.

I am sorry that I cannot play the watchdog clip due to my computer. But presumably it features somebody saying it is safe to ignore the charge. Presumably he says something about the risks involved, as any self respecting person would - if he doesn't say anything about risks then that is deeply irresponsible because nobody can deny the possibility of a court judgment being won against you - the only disagreement is about the likelihood. Feel free to ignore the ticket though - I am sure that CPS would like nothing more than that as it paves the way for a case against you. I would suggest you google 'CPS' though and view with whom they are affiliated.

I agree if you are a legal eagle, and under very certain circumstances where parking organisations are acting inappropriately, you may be able to find some kind of loophole. However the average indiviudal does not have the legal knowhow to be able to defend themselves against a court case against them. I suggest you look at parallel law about clamping, on which cases indicate that fines of anywhere up to 100 pounds are resonable. Consider also that CPS are liable to clamp your vehicle if you do not make payment - and as this site will agree clamps are a bit harder to get out of than parking tickets. There has NEVER been a true test case on private parking tickets that makes it safe or not safe to ignore them because every case is judged on its facts and merits and for that reason, I offer the unbiased opinion that you MAY ignore it if you want to take the risk. The ticket is only 60 pounds though, and ignoring it could lead you to paying over 600 pounds, plus having a record of having been present in court for a parking charge which will not look good for you. it's your call, not anyone else's, OK?

I can assure you I am neither a troll nor "Gerald Maskell". I merely signed on to share my opinions and experiences in this field. My only advice to the original poster, as already stated, is to search for CPS on google to see in what capacity the authority acts. Again, if linda elects to ignore the charge I offer her all my best wishes and the good luck in the world - I am only saying that I would not risk such egregious consequences for the sake of a #60 parking charge. The only thing I can say is that I find it surprising and interesting that the owners of this web site would delete my original posts and comments - surely if you are so certain and confident about your arguments you would challenge my posts and reveal them for the rubbish they are, instead of delivering personal insults and attacks. Linda, all I can say is; if and when you are in court defending a parking charge because some "people on the internet" told you to, where do you think those who told you to ignore it will be?? Its' easy to say ignore if it isn't your own money on the line.

I think it is fair to say there has been a substantial divide of opinion in this thread so the best advice I can give to Linda is to check with qualified organizations, such as the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) in addition to unbaised friends and relatives. This I think will help Linda to decide if ignoring the ticket is worth the risk. If ignoring is the path she chooses I would wish her the very best of luck and I will cross my fingers for her that she doesn't end up with a charge several times the original. Peace to everyone, ParkLawGuru