Motorist Zone
Motorist Guidance: Appeals
Appeals
Before getting started, please read our guidance explaining the difference between an appeal and a complaint.
You should also review our guidance on parking charges, including key timeframes.
Pay or Appeal?
If you feel unsure if you should pay or appeal your parking charge, we suggest you visit 247advice.co.uk this website offers information, guidance and has a chatbot that helps you decide if you should appeal.
The IPC cannot advise you on if you should appeal.
Important!
If you pay your parking charge, you lose your ability to appeal.
How to Appeal
1. Review the notices:
Carefully read the parking charge notice to understand the alleged contravention, the timeframe to appeal, the amount due, reduced rate timeframes and the payment deadline. The notice will also state that the parking charge was issued on private land.
2. Check the operator is accredited
If the operator is not accredited by the International Parking Community (IPC) or the British Parking Association (BPA) proceed with caution.
3. Gather evidence
Ensure you gather as much evidence as you can. Pictures of signage, proof of payment or proof of a medical emergency.
4. Appeal to the operator
First, appeal to the operator who issued you the parking charge. Their name and how to appeal will be on the parking charge notice. If appealed within 14 days, you are still eligible for the 40% discount for a further 14 days. Once appealed, the clock is frozen, and the operator has 28 days to respond.
5. Independent Adjudicator
If not satisfied after appealing to the operator, you can then appeal to an independent adjudicator. For the IPC this is the IAS, for the BPA this is POPLA. You are no longer eligible for the 40% discount. Appeals must be made within 28 days. To learn more about appealing to the IAS, visit their website.
Understand Outcomes:
When you appeal, the parking charge might be cancelled, reduced to £20 if mitigating circumstances are accepted, or upheld, requiring full payment. If your appeal is rejected, you must pay within 28 days to avoid additional charges. Failure to pay could result in further action, including potential court proceedings.
Motorist Toolkit
Find our motorist toolkit to find information on how to avoid receiving a parking charge, key timelines and FAQ's to help you through the appeals process
What is the IAS?
The Independent Appeals Service (IAS) is a certified Alternative Dispute Resolution entity pursuant to the European Directive on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (2013/11/EU). It was created to provide a truly independent review on the lawfulness of parking charges that are imposed by private companies. Adjudicators have no links or relationships with parking companies in any capacity. All IAS Adjudicators are qualified solicitors or barristers. They are duty bound by their own professional standards bodies to uphold the rule of law and to maintain independence. The IAS deals with appeals of parking charges issued by members of the International Parking Community (IPC).
How Long Do I Have to Pay or Appeal?
14
Days
to pay and appeal at the reduced rate
28
Days
to pay at the full rate or appeal
Day
29+
an “Escalation Fee” of up to £70 is added to
the total.
What next?
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Motorist Zone
Motorist Guidance: Appeals
Before getting started, please read our guidance explaining the difference between an appeal and a complaint. You should also review our guidance on parking charges, including key timeframes.
Appeals
Important!
If you pay your parking charge, you lose your ability to appeal.
Pay or Appeal?
If you feel unsure if you should pay or appeal your parking charge, we suggest you visit 247advice.co.uk this website offers information, guidance and has a chatbot that helps you decide if you should appeal.
The IPC cannot advise you on if you should appeal.
How to Appeal
1. Review the notices:
Carefully read the parking charge notice to understand the alleged contravention, the timeframe to appeal, the amount due, reduced rate timeframes and the payment deadline. The notice will also state that the parking charge was issued on private land.
2. Check the operator is accredited
If the operator is not accredited by the International Parking Community (IPC) or the British Parking Association (BPA) proceed with caution.
3. Gather evidence
Ensure you gather as much evidence as you can. Pictures of signage, proof of payment or proof of a medical emergency.
4. Appeal to the operator
First, appeal to the operator who issued you the parking charge. Their name and how to appeal will be on the parking charge notice. If appealed within 14 days, you are still eligible for the 40% discount for a further 14 days. Once appealed, the clock is frozen, and the operator has 28 days to respond.
5. Independent Adjudicator
If not satisfied after appealing to the operator, you can then appeal to an independent adjudicator. For the IPC this is the IAS, for the BPA this is POPLA. You are no longer eligible for the 40% discount. Appeals must be made within 28 days. To learn more about appealing to the IAS, visit their website.
Understand Outcomes:
When you appeal, the parking charge might be cancelled, reduced to £20 if mitigating circumstances are accepted, or upheld, requiring full payment. If your appeal is rejected, you must pay within 28 days to avoid additional charges. Failure to pay could result in further action, including potential court proceedings.
Motorist Toolkit
Find our motorist toolkit to find information on how to avoid receiving a parking charge, key timelines and FAQ's to help you through the appeals process
The Independent Appeals Service (IAS) is a certified Alternative Dispute Resolution entity pursuant to the European Directive on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (2013/11/EU). It was created to provide a truly independent review on the lawfulness of parking charges that are imposed by private companies. Adjudicators have no links or relationships with parking companies in any capacity. All IAS Adjudicators are qualified solicitors or barristers. They are duty bound by their own professional standards bodies to uphold the rule of law and to maintain independence. The IAS deals with appeals of parking charges issued by members of the International Parking Community (IPC).
What is the IAS?
How Long Do I Have to Pay or Appeal?
14
Days
to pay and
appeal at the
reduced rate
28
Days
to pay at the full
rate or appeal
Day
29+
an “Escalation Fee” of up to £70 is added to
the total.
Motorist Zone
HOME
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