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I got a parking charge for overstaying in a 'free' car park - can I fight this?

I've been charged £100 for overstaying in a McDonalds car park on the A12. I've appealed both to McDonalds (I was in the "restaurant" the whole time) and MET parking. They claimed there were time limit and penalty notices displayed, but none of our party saw them. Surely there was no contract. Of course, if I had seen the sign, I wouldn't have stayed so long. I am outraged and really want to fight this. Do you think I have a chance?

Asked on 15 August 2017 by Thebumblebee

Answered by Honest John
No. Your case matches exactly the facts of Beavis v Parking Eye, Supreme Court, 2015, where the judges ruled that a parking enforcement company was entitled to levy penalties for overstays and additional penalties for failing to pay the original penalty. As the law stands, you have to pay or eventually face a CCJ and either bailiffs or High Court Sheriffs seizing your property to the value of the penalty + court costs + their charges.
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