Are fines from Euro Parking Collection legal?

[RosieRosieRo]

Hi, I recently received letters from EPCPLC for three parking fines collected over one day while my car was broken down in Budapest and we were out finding a mechanic.

 

Are these guys for real?

Have they got any legal right to make me pay?

 

What's more there was no sign/pay meter on the side of the road I left the car and it was actually off the tarmack on some dirt where other cars had parked.

 

On the other side of the road further down there was pavement etc and a meter+sign. Everywhere else around had the meter + sign on both sides of the road so i thought i'd be ok.

 

Also left a note (in english not hungarian unfortunately) explaining that the car couldn't drive any further and we'd be back asap.

 

Are they allowed to give 3 fines for one offence? One was morning, one afternoon and one evening i guess.

 

There's also a £37 admin charge added to each fine (ouch!) for sending one letter for each. Is this reasonable/legal/enforceable?

 

Please help!

[ForestChav]

I would assume that they are the same as the invoices issued by PPCs, can you scan them or something?

[Bernie_the_Bolt]

I would assume that they are the same as the invoices issued by PPCs, can you scan them or something?

 

I wouldn't.

 

AFAIK Hungary has a codified legal system rather than a common law one so the legal position may be entirely different.

 

What I would do would depend on whether I was planning to return to hungary in the same vehicle but the basic choices are:

Pay and be done,

Ignore

Consult a lawyer who specialises in that territory.

[ForestChav]

Well yes, which is why we need to see them, but I do know for speeding fines abroad they have to get you whilst you're there, or if you go back, on re-entering the country (presumably it would show on their border controls).

 

Although the law there is not enforceable here, the contravention was there and they could potentially extradite, if it was an offence not to pay them, he also doesn't say whether or not they ticketed the car, if he didn't know there was a fine to avoid, or if he was ticketed and decided to just leave without paying it, will probably affect if there is any intent not to pay whilst there, also it would presumably depend on if there was any diplomacy in place to extradite or enforce payment here or there which probably would be beyond the scope of anyone on here as it would - as you say - require the knowledge of both legal systems.

 

However, if they have simply sold the fine on to a private company in the UK, which is what I was basing the assumption on - then the situation would be the same as with a PPC. Having a look at their site, and a quick google (of which a pepipoo thread basically reinforced this) it is likely this is the case. They pick up fines abroad and get details from the DVLA to send letters to the registered keeper.

[letshelp]

If you gave no intention of going back just ignore them.

regards

[ForestChav]

I'm not even sure that would hold. Hungary are Schengen, so if you travelled in over land, then they would have to be made aware that you were there (since they can't hold up at borders). Obviously travelling by air, you would have to go through border control and if it is a condition of entry not to have anything like this outstanding then you could be denied entry until the fine is paid, provided it shows up on their systems.

 

It does look as though (even though this is more than likely a public fine) that they have sold this onto a private company which probably makes it an invoice. Gut instinct is OK to leave it, but consult a lawyer if you're not sure, *especially* if you plan to go back.

[RosieRosieRo]

maybe i won't be going back to hungary then! sorry i can't scan the things as have no scanner. i think they are a private company but they do mention when i appeal they will be contacting the authority which issued the fine so not sure if they're working entirely independently, having bought the debt, or if they are only responsible for recovering it and the hungarian authorities are still involved in a way.

 

i'm afraid i WAS a bit naughty and got the fines whilst there but ignored them. i had just arrived and this was on the 1st monday of a month of heavy-duty study so didn't have the chance to find the offices where i could pay till the next weekend when the fine had leaped up for delayed payment anyway. silly me.

 

thanks for all the advice though and i won't go booking any holidays there!

[ForestChav]

It's possible EPC have bought the debt off the local authorities and then recoup the costs themselves. It does look like a private company, though that is little more than a guess.

 

I'd be inclined to seek legal advice. I doubt anyone on here would have enough knowledge of the law in Hungary to be able to advise without potentially dropping you in serious trouble if they get it wrong. That's the trouble with this forum, lawyers and people working in the relevant industries would tend to avoid posting here because they can charge for it professionally, it would be posting in their spare time which is too much like work, and maybe other implications in line with their professional status. You can google the laws but it is possible to get the interpretation different from a legal professional.