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.
![parking](/img/Parking_Sign.png)
![bus-lane](/img/Bus_Lane_Sign.png)
![caz](/img/MT_Sign.png)
![Merseyflow](/img/RUCA_Sign.png)
![caz](/img/CAZ_Sign.png)
![lfv](/img/LEZ_ULEZ_Sign.png)
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 P – v – Bristol City Council
(BS00779-2307)
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Decision Date: 2023-09-05
Outcome: Dismissed
This case clarifies that a Clean Air Zone scheme is self declaratory and an honest mistake is not a ground of appeal. The responsibility rests with the motorist to establish whether a payment is due and to make that payment. When a payment is made for the wrong date in error, a contravention still occurs.
Fife Council – v – Mrs M
2024UT04 Ref: UTS/AP/23/0032
Upper Tribunal for Scotland
Decision Date: 2023-05-29
Outcome: Judicial Review
This case underscores that the responsibility rests with the motorist to purchase parking time for the correct vehicle A contravention occurs when parking time purchased does not correctly identify the vehicle parked. This applies even when the incorrect registration mark was entered in error. That a payment was still made is not relevant. The payment must be made for the correct vehicle, identified by the vehicle registration mark provided by the motorist.
The Scottish Upper Tribunal decision is binding on the Scottish First Tier Tribunal for Scotland (General Regulatory Chamber) and is a persuasive decision in other UK jurisdictions.
R (on the application of Hackney Drivers Association Limited) – v – (2) The Parking Adjudicator and (2) Lancashire County Council
[2012] EWHC3394 (Admin)
High Court
Decision Date: 2012-10-31
Outcome: Judicial Review
The case makes clear that a penalty charge notice (PCN) should be read as a whole to assess whether it conveys the requirements of the relevant regulations.
W – v – Transport for London and others
[2005] EWCA Civ 1540
High Court
Decision Date: 2005-11-17
Outcome: Judicial Review
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 now.
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.