It seems quite simple to me. Let them take you to court if they want. If you can show the magistrate the mastercard statement and the part of the ticket you have, then surely that proves that YOU paid for parking that night. Case closed.

Try posting on Pepipoo where you will find many knowledgeable helpers.

This issue may be complex - some railway station parking is controlled by byelaws and is therefore enforceable through the magistrates' court, while other stations are controlled by civil law in the county courts. You'll need to check that too.

As you seem to have reasonable evidence that you've paid, the company may well give up if you continue to defend, but you need expert advice and I'd say Pepipoo has more of that available than this forum.

I cant find solicitors locally that deal with this. Do you offer a service and if so what are your charges?

HAve you tried your local Citizens Advice? If you're struggling to make sense of the info from the parking co/its solicitors then a generalist advisor should be able to help clarify.

They may also have 'pro-bono' (ie free) clinics with either local solicitors or law faculty at University. They te4nd to be fairly short, around 30mins, can at least give legally foucussed top level 'bullet point' type advice as to your options.

Declaration of interest: I am both an employee of and volunteer at Citizens Advice.

Thanks for the advice, at least I feel I shouldn't just pay up today although closure on this would be a relief.

I cant find solicitors locally that deal with this. Do you offer a service and if so what are your charges?

Or can you suggest anyone that does.

thanks

Stephen

If you check out the solicitors who contacted you I bet a pound to pinch of sugar that they are in harness with the parking enforcement company. The same goes for Trethowans Soilictors who work exclusivley for one parking company and do no other work. There main purpose is to use the 'solicitor' ploy to scare the sugar' out of you. You really do need to do some checking about what type of PCN you have. A Penalty Charge Notice is usually from an authority which can prosecute, a Parking Charge Notice is not. Check to see if they offered a dispute resolution service through a parking tribunal anyway. You have a bit of work to do I am afraid. The CAB is a really good idea and a starting point to defend yourself. You may need some courage and be tenacious to weather the storm, but stick to it if you are right. Parking is not the end of the world as you know it, so don't let the bas//rds grind you down. Good luck and let us know any developments.

Cheers Concrete