If you have parked your vehicle in a car park without purchasing a valid ticket, parking companies will make a note of the offending vehicle’s registration plate and check with the DVLA for the name and address of the registered driver. The car parking company will then send the registered driver a penalty notice at the address held by the DVLA.
If the penalty remains unpaid after the time for payment has expired, the car parking company may issue court proceedings against the registered driver in respect of the notice plus interest and costs.
If the court proceedings are not acknowledged to the Court within 14 days of the proceedings being served, then the car parking company is entitled to request Judgment in Default against the registered driver (i.e. without the need for a hearing).
If the court grants a Judgment against you, you will be required to pay the amount of the Judgment. A CCJ will remain on your credit record for six years if it is not paid off within 1 month of the date of Judgment - this will negatively impact your credit rating.
If you have moved address and you have recently become aware that a CCJ has been registered against you in respect of an unpaid parking fine, this may have been because the parking company sent the penalty notice and the court proceedings to your old address. If the penalty remained unpaid/proceedings unacknowledged, it is likely that Judgment in Default was obtained against you, as stated above.
Sometimes car parking companies will not issue proceedings until several months or even years after the penalty notice has been sent.
What you can do about County Court Judgments
If you have found yourself in the unfortunate position of having a CCJ issued against you without your knowledge, speak to one of our experts at the earliest possible time to ensure the best possible outcome. We have had success in setting aside numerous CCJs.
For more information on these issues, contact Usman Anwar or Asa Cocker on 0161 785 3500