How to Make Representations

If you want to make representations or appeal against a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) do not pay it first.

You should object or appeal against a penalty charge notice if you think

• The PCN was wrongly issued
• There were exceptional reasons that forced you to either park illegally or drive in a bus lane

We advise you to wait until you receive a 'Notice to Owner' or 'Enforcement Notice' (see Step 2 below) before making your formal representation. 

If you write to us before we issue you with a 'Notice to Owner', we will consider the circumstances and write back to you.

Step 1. Early written correspondence

If you want to contact us about a penalty before you have received your 'Notice to Owner', you need to write to us and explain exactly why you think the penalty charge should be cancelled. Please write down exactly what happened and provide any other documents that you think will help your case.

Please note that a representative at the council will review the letter you send. If the representative officer believes there were exceptional circumstances, your penalty charge will be cancelled before the 'Notice to Owner' is issued. 

If you want to contact us before the 'Notice to Owner' is issued, please make sure that you give us the following information in your letter 

• Your vehicle registration number
• The date you received the penalty charge

You can also email us at parking@southwark.gov.uk or post it to

The Parking Shop
364 Old Kent Road
London
SE1 5AA

Please note that we are unable to accept or deal with representations over the telephone.

What happens next?

When we have received your letter, we will consider your case and make a decision. We try to reply to your letter within two working days.

If we think there are exceptional circumstances and cancel your penalty charge, we will write to tell you.

If your reasons are not accepted, we will write to you to tell you why and explain the appeals system. If we receive your early correspondence within 14 days of the date the penalty charge was issued, we will allow you an additional 14 days to make the payment at the discounted rate.

Step 2. Making a formal representation

If you do not pay your penalty charge within 28 days, we will issue the registered keeper of the vehicle either a

• 'Notice to Owner', in the case of a parking contravention
• Or an 'Enforcement Notice', in the case of bus lane contravention to the registered keeper of the vehicle

When either of the above has been issued, you can object to the penalty charge by making a formal representation.

There are several grounds on which you may make a formal representation. These are listed on the 'Notice to Owner' or 'Enforcement Notice'.

To make your formal appeal, complete the relevant sections of the notice and include

• Your vehicle registration number
• The date you received the penalty charge
• Return it to The Parking Shop within 28 days
  
  The Parking Shop
  364 Old Kent Road
  London
  SE1 5AA

What happens next?

When we have received your formal representation it will be considered by a representation officer at the council. We try to respond as quickly as possible, although sometimes it is necessary to make enquiries and this may take time. 

If we accept your reasons, we will write to tell you that the penalty charge has been cancelled.

If your reasons are not accepted, we will write to tell you the reasons why and include advice about how you can make a further appeal to the parking adjudicators.  

Step 3. Appealing to the parking adjudicators

If we don't accept your reasons, we will send you a letter called a 'Notice of Rejection of Representation', telling you why we have rejected your appeal.

When you have received our 'Notice of Rejection of Representation' you can make an appeal directly to the parking adjudicator using the form included with your letter.

If you want to appeal to the adjudicator, you must complete and post the form to the adjudicator within 28 days of receiving your decision from the council.

Please note that you cannot make an appeal to the adjudicator until the council has formally rejected your formal representation.

What happens next?

When you have sent the form to the adjudicator, your case will be considered by an experienced lawyer. You can choose to have your case dealt with by post or you can attend the hearing in person. Appeals are heard at

Parking Committee For London
New Zealand House
80 Haymarket
London
SW1Y 4TE   

The decision made by the adjudicator is final and binding on both the vehicle owner and Southwark Council.

You can find out more about parking appeals by visiting Parking and Traffic Appeals Service website.

Contact us

The Parking Shop
Tel: 0844 800 2736
parking@southwark.gov.uk
364 Old Kent Road
London
SE1 5AA
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6.30 pm, Closed Sunday and bank holidays