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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.

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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 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.

R v The Parking Adjudicator ex parte London Borough of Wandsworth
[1996] EWCA Civ 869

High Court

Decision Date: 1996-11-01

Outcome: Judicial Review

This case makes clear that it is the owner of a vehicle (as registered with the DVLA) who is responsible for any penalty charge notices (PCNs), even if they have no knowledge of the contraventions or had no access to the vehicle at the time. In this case, the vehicle was entrusted to a third party for repairs.