How can the council fine me for a parking offence without taking court action?
Penalty Charges are not “fines” and are not issued for “offences”. Fines may arise, for example, as a result of enforcement action by the police under criminal law for traffic offences. If this leads to court action a fine may then be payable on conviction.
The Council enforces “decriminalised” parking contraventions that are no longer offences. Specific legislation provides for a charge to be payable if restrictions are contravened. As the liability for penalty charges is under Civil Law it cannot lead to motorists getting endorsements or a criminal record.
Email this pageLast modified by: Webmaster on 18/07/2006