Yes she still has if after all this time they wish to try their luck in court. I have all their threatening correspondence and I believe any reasonable court will throw it out.

The court might well ask why she didn't use the process that the law has put in place to challenge the charge.

As for overstaying there are many people who park that choose to leave early freeing up spaces so where is the parking companies loss? If any thing they are gaining on most people not staying for the time they paid for. No they are making a good living and being plain greedy trying to frighten people into paying their extortionate ""fines""

As I've already pointed out the Beavis case rehea***s all the argument about whether the charges are or are not extortionate. It's worth reading.

In the light of Beavis the court is much more likely to find for the landowner. They may still decide case x is not worth pursuing but that won't stop y or z being pursued.

Thank you for all the comments. I have been away since posting, family stuff etc etc. so apologise for the delay in replying.

It is a Parking charge notice from a private operator. My friend is certain she complied with the regulations imposed and being a sharp and intelligent retired business woman I tend to agree with her. She has lived at the same address and had the same car for many years she finds it impossible to believe that notification was sent via Royal Mail, or she missed it. She did receive the belated demand alright, so why not previous correspondence?

Thank you Bromptonaut for your useful input. Having discussed this she has written to these people and refuted the claim and requested any evidence, either photographic or written which proves the overstay or the fact they served notice within the required period. She highlighted the time lapse between the alleged notice serving and demand, which was 10 months. This would surely put their case in jeopardy unless they have proof of serving the original notice, which we doubt they have.

All this unwanted aggravation because of a simple process like parking. There must be a simpler way to ensure compliance from motorists and the integrity of the car park owner/operator.

Cheers Concrete

There must be a simpler way to ensure compliance from motorists and the integrity of the car park owner/operator.

There is. It's called barrier controlled entry and exit.

If I go into Colchester, I park in greyfriars on East hill. £1.50 an hour and zero problems.

True, but that would require operators to have both ethics and common sense. :-)

Update. Here we are in June and the parking company have not responded in any way. I think the matter is closed.

Cheers Concrete