Find Key Cases

Browse key cases using the filter for either ‘Contravention type’ OR ‘Issue’. Alternatively, use the ‘Search…’ box to find cases through a custom query.

Cases on the site currently cover parking, bus lane, moving traffic and road user charging, including the London Congestion Charge and Clean Air Zones (outside London). More cases and contravention types will be added in due course.

• All Contravention Types Bus Lanes Clean Air Zone Congestion Charge Dart Charge Littering from Vehicles Low Emission Zone Moving Traffic Parking
• All Issues 50% Discount Accidental Accuracy Adjudicator discretion Alterations / modifications Approved device / camera Attended / unattended vehicle Balance of probabilities Bill of Rights Blue Badge Boarding / alighting Box Junction Broken down vehicle / Breakdown Bus Gate Bus Stop Camera Enforcement Classification of vehicle Conditions of use Consent to use vehicle Consolidated appeal Content of PCN / documents Contravention code Controlled Parking Zone Council discretion De minimis Delivering goods Double Yellow Lines Dropped footway DVLA Emergency Enforcement powers Errors Evidence Exit clear Fairness Financial hardship Footway / pavement / verge Foreign language Garage / repairs Goods vehicle Grace Period Hire Vehicle Hours of operation Impartiality Incomplete paperwork Intention Judicial independence Keep Clear Legal basis Legislation Liability Litter Loading / Unloading Loading Bay Lost / removed PCN Low Emission Zone Mechanical failure Mitigating circumstances Multiple PCNs Notice of Rejection Observation Period Obstruction Ostensible authority Ownership Panel decision Pay & Display Pay before appeal Payment PCN not received Permitted vehicles Persuasive decision Phone / Mobile Apps PHV / Taxi Private land Procedural impropriety Procedural irregularity Procedure Proportionality Public holidays Reason to pull over Reasonable time Red Route Registered Keeper Regulations Remain in vehicle Repeater signs Representations Review appeal Right to park Sat Nav School Service of PCN Signs / Lines Special enforcement area Standard / burden of proof Stationary vehicle Stopping / Waiting Strict Liability Substantial compliance Third Party Time limits Traffic Signs Manual Unofficial website Visitor / Unfamiliar area Wheelchair Zigzags
• All Decision Outcomes Allowed Consent Order Dismissed Judicial Review

Clear filters

Please note: All adjudicator decisions included on this website are in the public domain. While they have been curated together here for the convenience and interest of users, any information contained within the decisions remains the responsibility of the original adjudicating body. Any questions relating to the content of cases should also be directed to the adjudicating body.

Mr J – v – Brighton & Hove City Council
(BH00245-2204)

Traffic Penalty Tribunal

Decision Date: 2022-05-13

Outcome: Dismissed

• Bus Lanes
• 50% Discount
• Bus Gate
• Council discretion

This case identifies a “bus gate” as a type of bus lane, as well as highlighting that the Council has a duty to act fairly and consider exercising its discretion throughout the appeal process. It also highlights that the reduced (50%) penalty amount can be extended by the council in the exercise of its discretion, but that this is not mandatory.

Read adjudicator's decision in full

W – v – Transport for London and others
[2005] EWCA Civ 1540

Court of Appeal

Decision Date: 2005-11-17

Outcome: Judicial Review

• Congestion Charge
• Accuracy
• Adjudicator discretion
• Council discretion
• Errors
• Mitigating circumstances
• Strict Liability

This case clarifies that an error made by a motorist in entering their vehicle registration number in order to purchase an entry to the congestion zone amounted to a contravention, whether intentional or not.

An adjudicator’s powers are limited to the statutory provisions. Discretion falls outside an adjudicator’s powers and extenuating factors are for the authority, not the adjudicator, to consider.

Read adjudicator's decision in full