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.
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 – Buckinghamshire Council
(PJ00006-2512)
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Decision Date: 2026-01-02
This case clarifies that the council authority does not need to demonstrate a motorist intended to commit a littering contravention, or that an item was deliberately thrown/dropped or deposited; nor does it need to identify the littered item left behind.
Mr R – v – Birmingham City Council
JJ00311-2508
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Decision Date: 2025-10-03
Outcome: Dismissed
This case clarifies that liability for the civil penalty can only be transferred to a hirer under a hire agreement that meets the requirements of the Road Traffic (Owner Liability) Regulations 2000.
Mr M – v – Bradford Council
(BQ00186-2508)
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Decision Date: 2025-09-10
Outcome: Dismissed
This case makes clear that the registered keeper of the vehicle remains liable to the council for the civil littering penalty, even if they themselves did not throw, drop or otherwise deposit the litter.
The case also covers the fact that the council must prove a person throws down, drops or otherwise deposits litter from the vehicle and leaves it on land the council has a duty to keep, so far as is practicable, clear of litter.
Mr P – v – Bradford Council
(DY00313-2502)
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Decision Date: 2025-03-05
Outcome: Dismissed
This case clarifies that it is the DVLA registered keeper of the vehicle (who may not be the owner) at the time of the contravention who remains liable to the charging authority for the Clean Air Zone charge and penalty.
Mr K – v – Portsmouth City Council
(PO00021-2305)
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Decision Date: 2023-06-23
Outcome: Dismissed
This case clarifies that under the statutory civil enforcement scheme, the owner of the vehicle remains liable for penalty charge, even if the vehicle was in the care of a third party.
The adjudicator’s decision in this case was confirmed in the High Court in:
R v the Parking Adjudicator ex parte The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Wandsworth QBCOF 96/1153/D (opens in new tab).
This decision is therefore binding on adjudicators, meaning they must apply the principle to the facts of any relevant case.
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