Example Appeal Letter: Inadequate Signage + POFA Non-Compliance
Summary
This example shows a formal Stage 1 appeal against a private parking charge at a shopping centre. The letter raises two independent grounds: inadequate signage under BPA Code of Practice para 17.3 (signs obscured by foliage), and POFA 2012 Schedule 4 non-compliance (Notice to Keeper served 19 days after DVLA disclosure, exceeding the 14-day limit). Each ground is sufficient on its own to invalidate the charge. The letter cites ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67 on contract formation and requests the operator produce dated signage photographs.
The situation
You parked at a shopping centre and received a charge for overstaying. The entrance sign was partially obscured by vegetation. The Notice to Keeper arrived 19 days after the operator obtained your details from DVLA — 5 days outside the 14-day POFA window.
Legal grounds used
Ground 1: BPA Code of Practice, para 17.3 — signage must be prominently displayed at each entrance. ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67 — contract requires reasonable notice of terms. Ground 2: POFA 2012, Schedule 4, Paragraph 9 — Notice to Keeper must be served within 14 days. Keeper liability does not transfer if this requirement is not met.
How the letter argues the case
The letter opens with a formal identification of the PCN, then presents each ground with its legal basis, the factual evidence supporting it, and a clear demand. It requests the operator produce photographic evidence of signage from the date of the contravention and produce proof of DVLA disclosure timing. The tone is firm and factual — no emotion, no irrelevant narrative.
Get a letter like this for your situation
This is an example of the kind of appeal letter GetRighted generates. Every letter is tailored to your specific circumstances — your operator, your location, your evidence, and the legal grounds that apply to your case.
Why detailed letters matter
Appeals citing specific legislation and evidence have significantly higher success rates than generic template letters. At POPLA, around 40–50% of appeals succeed overall, but well-evidenced appeals with legal citations win more often. Source: POPLA published statistics.
Sources
- BPA Code of Practice, para 17.3
- POFA 2012, Schedule 4, Paragraph 9
- ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this a real appeal letter?
- This is an exemplar — a hand-crafted example showing the quality and structure of GetRighted's appeal letters. Your letter would be tailored to your specific situation.
- Will my letter cite the same legislation?
- Your letter cites whichever legislation applies to your case. If your ticket involves signage issues, it will cite the BPA Code and Beavis. If it involves late notice, it will cite POFA 2012, Schedule 4.
- How long does it take to get my letter?
- After you submit your ticket details and evidence, GetRighted generates your appeal letter within minutes. You can then review, download, and send it.
Related
- inadequate-signage
- pofa-non-compliance
- late-notice
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