Ok here's an interesting one.

I recently spent a couple of months working as a motorcycle courier, riding a bike hired to me by the courier company.

Today I received a Notice to Owner from City of Westminster Parking Services. It relates to a contravention on 21 Oct 2010, so presumably it has found it's way to me via details provided by the courier company.

I remember the incident in question.

Coming out from a building to which I'd just delivered, there was an attendant next to 'my' bike writing a ticket. Between him and the bike was another motorcycle courier, who was remonstrating with him. He finished writing the ticket and took out his camera, at which point this other courier (not anyone I knew, but presumably trying do a fellow courier a favour) stood up close to the back of the bike, preventing the attendant from getting a photograph that showed the numberplate. This chap then suggested I ride away quickly, which I did. I wasn't handed the ticket, nor was it affixed to the bike. I'm confident there is no photographic evidence.

Questions:

1. How does it work with them serving me with a Notice to Owner? I might have been the rider, but I'm not the owner.

2. Is there some sort of time out? It has arrived over six weeks after the date of contravention.

3. Should I just 'make representations' (as they call it) stating that the contravention did not occur and challenging them to provide proof? This what I favour at the moment.

All advice appreciated.